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The Association of Illustrators has run a juried illustration competition since 1976. The latest incarnation, the World Illustration Awards in partnership with the Directory of Illustration, has been going strong and growing since 2015.
WIA focuses on supporting and celebrating creativity internationally, by connecting illustrators with their peers and the global illustration industry.
Why should I enter?
Being part of WIA offers a host of significant benefits and opportunities from the call for entries stage right through to the winner announcements. This includes self-promotional tools, networking events and features on WIA platforms.
What are the Awards and Prizes?
Winners of WIA2024 can look forward to some exciting prizes, from trophies and AOI memberships, to mentorship and cash for the Overall Winners.
Who are the Judges?
WIA Judges are experts in their sectors, chosen to represent a global view on illustration. Find out more.
“The variety and quality of work presented for these Awards was outstanding. It’s inspiring to see fresh work being presented and all the new talent show that there’s a great future ahead in illustration.”
Abel Reverter, Judge, WIA2022
What Are The Judges Looking For?
Every entry is reviewed by a panel of independent industry experts, who will use the following criteria to look for great illustration that is:
• Technically excellent
• Communicates its idea or message brilliantly
• Explores illustration as an artform
What are the key dates?
- 1 December 2023 – call for entries opens
- 3 January 2024 – early bird offer ends (midnight UK time)
- extended to 22 February 2024 – deadline to enter
- March – May 2024 – judging
- May 2024 – longlist announced
- July 2024 – shortlist announced
- September 2024 – winners announced
Why Is There An Entry Fee?
The AOI is a not-for-profit company that is fully funded by its membership, for the benefit of its members. The World Illustration Awards are delivered by The AOI in partnership with the Directory of Illustration.
We cover the costs of running the Awards by charging an entry fee and securing sponsorship and in-kind partnerships. The income covers the costs incurred in running the Awards, including staffing, administration, development, and delivery costs.
As part of the AOI, the World Illustration Awards are not for profit and all money goes back into the Awards.
Do You Offer Discounts?
Discounts for AOI Members
AOI Members receive a fantastic discount, available to individual, agency and college members!
Early Bird Discount: 30%
General Entry Discount: 20%
AOI member discounts are automatically applied at the checkout when logged into your membership account. Find out how to become an AOI member.
Early Bird discount 10% until 3 January 2024.
Bursary Scheme
The Association of Illustrators and Directory of Illustration offer 40 illustrators the opportunity to enter one project into the World Illustration Awards 2024 free of charge.
This scheme has been devised to support illustrators who would otherwise not have the means to pay to enter WIA. The application deadline was 31 January 2024 and the form is now closed.
Terms and Conditions
Please read the WIA2024 terms and conditions here.
What happens once I’ve entered?
- Once you have filled in your form and clicked the ‘SUBMIT’ button, your work is saved in your account on the AOI website. You can then go back and edit it as much as you wish. It will show on top of the entry form page.
- Once you are happy with the entry, you need to make your payment for it to be entered into the competition.
- You will receive an email confirming your entry, and some information about how to share your entry with the AOI via social media – we will repost entries throughout the call for entries!
- You can go back and edit / update paid for entries until the deadline.
- You can change text and images/elements, but nor whether it is a “Single” or “multiple” submission.
- Don’t forget that the judges will only see entries that have been paid for.
- The AOI team will check all entries as they are submitted, and will notify you of any issues, e.g. if your image is corrupted. The AOI reserves the right to remove entries that are offensive, incite hatred or break the rules.
- The judges will then log in to the site to view all entries and will choose their shortlist.
- Once the longlist has been finalised, all entrants will be notified by email of the outcome of their entries. This will probably be in May.
How do I benefit from entering?
Being part of WIA offers a host of significant benefits and opportunities from the call for entries stage right through to the winner announcements. This includes self-promotional tools, networking events and features on WIA platforms. WIA will help and support you sharing your work globally.
During the call for entries:
- Selected entries will be featured on WIA, AOI and DoI social media platforms. These are chosen to represent the breadth and diversity of illustration entered into the competition.
- Prospective entrants are invited to join us for a free, interactive webinar on how to enter on 16 January 2024 at 3pm UK time.
- All entrants will receive an email with exclusive resources for promoting their entries.
500 projects will be longlisted by the jury for the Awards
- All 500 longlisted projects will feature on the AOI website. Each project will be displayed on its own page with the information you provide with your entry.
- Be invited to an exclusive webinar on promoting their inclusion in the longlist.
- Longlisted illustrators will receive a digital badge for their website and social media, and a resource for promoting their inclusion in the longlist.
- Selected projects will be showcased across our social media platforms.
- Be offered an exclusive discount on AOI membership for one year.
200 projects will be shortlisted for the Awards. Shortlisted illustrators will:
- Be invited to an exclusive webinar on promoting their inclusion in the shortlist.
- Receive a set of resources on self promotion and creating content around their participation in WIA2024.
- See their work featured in a digital catalogue, which is distributed to commissioners worldwide (tbc)
- See their work featured in an Online Showcase as part of the Shortlist announcement in July 2024.
- Be invited to attend the Online Awards Evening in September 2024, a highlight of the illustration industry event calendar.
- Be invited to attend one of a series of online meet up events for WIA2024 shortlisted illustrators to help you meet and connect.
- Be offered an exclusive discount on AOI membership for one year.
- Receive a digital badge for their website and social media.
- Receive incredible exposure across our digital and real-world networks: the WIA is a proven platform for illustrators to consolidate and expand networks.
How much does it cost to enter?
Entry fees can be paid in three currencies: GB Pounds (£), US Dollars ($) and Euros (€). Any other currency will be converted by your card issuer at point of payment.
The entry fees are:
£32 (GBP) per Single Entry // £53 (GBP) per Multiple Entry
€36 (EURO) per Single Entry // €60 (EURO) per Multiple Entry
$40 (USD) per Single Entry // $66 (USD) per Multiple Entry
Current individual AOI Members (or corporate members entering their artists at time of payment) receive a 20% discount on their entries automatically deducted if they are logged into their member account.
Find out how to become an AOI member here.
Why is there an entry fee?
The AOI is a not-for-profit company that is fully funded by its membership. The World Illustration Awards are delivered by The AOI in partnership with the Directory of Illustration.
We cover the costs of running the Awards by charging an entry fee and securing sponsorship and in-kind partnerships. The income covers the costs incurred in running the Awards, including staffing, administration, development, and delivery costs.
As part of the AOI, the World Illustration Awards are not for profit and all money goes back into the Awards and supporting illustrators and improving the illustration industry.
Bursary Scheme
The Association of Illustrators and Directory of Illustration offer 40 illustrators the opportunity to enter one project into the World Illustration Awards 2024 free of charge.
This scheme has been devised to support illustrators who would otherwise not have the means to pay to enter WIA. If you think you are eligible, you can submit your request here in our bursary request form by 31 January 2024.
About THE AWARDS
The Association of Illustrators has run a juried illustration competition since 1976. The latest incarnation, the World Illustration Awards in partnership with the Directory of Illustration, has been going strong and growing since 2015.
WIA focuses on supporting and celebrating creativity internationally, by connecting illustrators with their peers and the global illustration industry.
The Awards are split into two groups: New Talent and Professional. All work, commissioned or self-initiated, is accepted across the ten categories as long as it has been created within the past year before the Call for Entries closes.
PRESENTED BY
The Association of Illustrators
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The Association of Illustrators
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With gratitude to our sponsors
