World Illustration Awards 2022

See the winning and highly commended projects for this year’s awards.

From short looped gifs to longer animated films, moving image is a great way for illustrators to create impactful work.

Science fiction, stories of imagined futures, and contemporary reinterpretations of sci-fi classics offer a rich seam of inspiration for illustrators wishing to really push their imagination to the limit.

Illustration projects from the WIA2022 Shortlist that explore the wide-ranging, and sometimes surprising, impacts of global lockdown restrictions over the last two years.

Whether exploring a new idea, style or technique, self-initiated work often forms the foundation of an illustrator’s practice and portfolio.

Harking back to times gone by, these illustrators have been influenced by the colours, striking fonts and iconic imagery of all things vintage and retro.

The AOI Team and Special Guests announce the winners.

See some of the judges’ highlights from the WIA2022 Professional Shortlist, alongside their comments on what makes these projects sing!

Bright, bold colour makes for attention-grabbing illustration. Whether tempting consumers, engaging readers or encouraging clicks, a vibrant colour palette can create an impact like nothing else.

Illustration that uses direct, personal experience to inspire creative image-making.

The waterways of the natural world provide a wealth of inspiration for illustrators, including non-fiction memoirs, children’s books that capture the magic of storytelling, as well as narratives on the impact of sea pollution.

Repetition is far from boring! This gallery of images shows the powerful impact of pattern, repetition and texture in storytelling.

The human face is instantly recognisable, and can be the centrepiece of an eye-catching image. Whether celebrating the great and the good, or offering a perspective on a personal, interior world, the use of portraiture is strong on this year’s shortlist.

Meet some of our winners in this series of mini-interviews

Illustration using the minimum to create impact. Limited colours, simple lines and bold shapes can tell a story in the simplest of ways.

Read on for some judges’ highlights from the WIA2022 New Talent Shortlist, alongside their thoughts on what made these particular projects stand out!

The medium of illustration is a perfect way to convey emotionally difficult and challenging topics, especially for younger audiences.

The urgency of climate change is an unsurprising feature of this year’s shortlist.

Typography and illustration meet…

Illustration bringing powerful memories and imagery from the past to life for a contemporary audience.

Whether inspired by music, or commenting on the industry, illustration can powerfully translate the rhythm and energy of music and sound into images.

Commentary from the judges on some of the winning WIA2022 Projects.

Our partners at the Directory of Illustration offer their view from the USA on a range of illustrations themed around Science and Technology from across the categories.

This gallery of projects shows how illustrators have responded to editorial and self-initiated briefs that address the issue racial bias.

Explore how the picture book format can create engaging narratives for readers of any age.

A rich seam of inspiration exists in depicting the inhabitants and species of the natural world. It may be used as a means to enhance a public space, for storytelling and communicate the importance of conservation.

Projects using illustration for commissioned (and prospective) product design, branding, and advertising campaigns, often across multiple digital and printed platforms.

Illustration can help communities come together to reflect on important events and their futures, as well representing their experiences of home and creating moments of joy.

Illustration has always been a means to explore the meaning of the written word, and communicate it in a new and thought provoking way.