How to Enter

What can I enter?

Illustration, or projects featuring illustration, in any format or usage can be entered into WIA 2024. This includes still images, animated gifs and animations, created in any medium such as digitally, painted or collage.

Work can be self-initiated, such as coursework, or commissioned, and created by illustrators working in any sector. The illustration must have been created, completed, commissioned, or published since January 2023.

You must enter using the online form. You will need to choose a category, single or multiple format and whether to enter as a New Talent or Professional illustrator.

Before you start, it might be helpful to check out projects from the past on our WIA project page.

Please note – Entries that have been created with the use of AI text-to-image generating software or platforms are not currently eligible to be entered into WIA.

9 Step Guide to Entering WIA2024

Our helpful 9 Step Guide takes you through the WIA2024 entry process from start to finish!

Step 1: Register on the AOI website

• You need to register an account on the AOI website to enter. You do not need to be an AOI member to register. It is free to register on the website. This registration comes up automatically on the entry form page.
• When you register, the website will auto-generate a password to login to the site and access the entry form. You can change this if you wish.
• Keep your login details safe, as you will need them again to check if your entry is longlisted.
• If you already have an account (if you are an AOI member, have a folio, or have entered WIA before), please log in using your existing details (this is especially important if you are a member as your entry fee discount will be automatically applied in your account).
• If you have entered WIA before, your images from a previous competition may still be in your online media gallery. They can remain there. They won’t be confused with your current entry and will only show up in your entry if you manually add them.

Step 4: Prepare your entry information

• Decide if you are entering as New Talent or Professional. Only select New Talent if you are a current student or recent graduate (since January 2023). Everyone else should enter as Professional.
• Decide which format to use for your project. You can choose a single image or gif, or a multiple entry if your project consists of up to five images, gifs or URL links in any combination.
• Every entry must include a lead image from the project. This is also the first image the judges see and the one we will use for promotion.

Step 5: Decide which category is the best fit for your entries

• Choose the category that best frames the purpose of your entry. Keep in mind where you want to position yourself as an illustrator, if in doubt.
• You can read the category descriptions here where we slide give some hints on how to chose one.
• Thinking about the application of the illustration can be a useful way to decide which category to enter.
• You can enter the same project more than once into different categories, but you will need to upload and pay individually.
• You can enter commissioned or self-initiated work into any category.

Step 6: Gather the information that you will need to complete the form

• Maybe start by opening the entry form page.
• Title Of Work: Choose a title for your project. This could be a descriptive title, or something more poetic. Make it precise, and not too long. Don’t put it in quote or speech marks, or your name.
• Additional Information: This could include the reason you made the work, for example a brief you were given by a commissioner, or a creative challenge that you set for yourself, or the processes you used to make the work. Use this space to tell the story of your entry. This information will be shared with the judges. (400 characters max)
• Why did you create this work? Share the brief you received from your commissioner or your idea behind creating your artwork when you started. What did you want to achieve? This is particularly important for the jury to understand your image better.
• How was the illustration used? What is the intended use of the illustration? How was it applied?
• What materials and techniques did you use? Tell us what you used to create your work, especially if anything unusual such as fabric for a collage. This is particularly important also if you work digitally for the Huion Digital Innovation Award.
• Biography: Please provide a short biography about yourself (or the illustrator if you are entering on their behalf). This can include where you’re from, where you studied, selected clients, the sectors you work in. Please write this in the third person (max 400 characters). This information will not be shared with the judges but will be included alongside your entry on the AOI website if it is longlisted.
• Commissioner information: If your work was commissioned (i.e. if you were paid for the work in some way), please provide the commissioner details including name of the commissioner, the commissioner company and the name of the end client if applicable.

Step 7: Fill in the form

• Please note we can only accept entries in English.
• You can start the form, and go back and edit if you need to.
• Please accept cookies at the bottom of the page as this will ensure your entry text is saved as you go along.
• You will need to put something in the required form fields in order to save it by clicking ‘submit”
• It can be helpful to type out your entry into a word document, and paste into the form, rather than typing directly into the form.
• Entries that have not been paid for will stay in your account until you delete them.
• After you have submitted, you can still edit the information in the form by clicking ‘Update’ in your account, so you can draft your entry and return to it until the deadline.

You can also watch our handy video guide below on how to fill in the WIA2024 Entry Form:

Step 8: Pay for your entries

• Once you’ve completed your form, click ‘Submit’ and it will be saved to your portal so that you can get back to it and edit details or delete it if you don’t wish to proceed. You do not have to pay at this stage.
• When you are ready to pay, click ‘Pay Now’ (or ‘Pay For All’ if you have more than one entry ready to submit).
• A box will appear at the top of the form. Click ‘View Basket’. Go to the basket.
• Select your currency from GBP, EUR or USD.
• If you change the currency, click ‘Update Basket’ to see the correct price if it doesn’t update automatically.
• The Early Bird discount is automatically applied in the cart (that’s the fee you see). Rates will change on 4 January 2024.
• AOI Members receive a 20% discount on an unlimited number of entry fees, applied automatically at the checkout, when logged into a live Member account on the AOI website. So AOI Members – login to website with your member account before you enter the awards. We are unable to change the charge after payment has been made.
• Click ‘Proceed to Checkout’ and complete the payment form. We are currently accepting payment using credit or debit card, or Paypal via Paypal as the payment portal. No need to sign up to pay.
• Once you’ve paid you will receive a confirmation email from The AOI: [email protected] Check your junk/spam folder if you don’t see it in your inbox and your entries will be marked as paid as soon as we receive your payment, which depending on your bank can take a few days.
• If you live in a territory where Paypal is not available such as Turkey or Singapore, or you can’t use the portal, please email [email protected] to request details for making a BACs transfer instead.
• Once paid, you will be able to amend your entry until the final deadline day, but you won’t be able to delete it.
• Only paid for entries are considered for the awards.

Step 9: Share!

You’ve put in all that hard work and effort to get your entry just right, so why not share it!

• Post your entry on social media, and tag us in using @theAOI @dirillustration and #WIA2024 #WorldIllustrationAwards – we’ll do our best to like and share as many as we can with our extensive networks.
• You will receive an email notification letting you know to check the outcome of your entry in May 2024.
• In the meantime, why not have a look around the AOI website? We have lots of information, events, and great membership options for illustrators at every stage of their career.
• Or check out WIA2023 showcase, winners and previous year’s projects for more inspiration.

• The Terms and Conditions outline the rules in detail

If you have any questions that have not been covered on this page please check out the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.