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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.
Expand allDuring 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 for the Awards:
• All 500 longlisted projects will feature on the AOI website. Each project will be displayed on its own page.
• Longlisted illustrators will receive a digital badge for their website and social media, and a resource for promoting their inclusion in the longlist.
• All longlisted illustrators will be invited to an exclusive AOI self-promotion masterclass focussing on getting the most out of being longlisted for WIA2024.
• All projects will be showcased across our social media platforms and widely promoted via our various networks
200 projects will be shortlisted for the Awards. As a Shortlisted illustrator you will:
• Be invited to an exclusive webinar on promoting their inclusion in the WIA2024 shortlist.
• Receive a set of resources on self promotion and creating content around their participation in WIA2024.
• Have your work promoted to commissioners worldwide with a focus on Europe and the USA.
• See your work highlighted on the AOI website.
• Be invited to attend the online Awards Announcements 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 give the opportunity to 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 well-known platform for illustrators to consolidate and expand their professional networks.
As a winner:
• you will become part of the ever growing global WIA Alumni network
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.
20 Highly Commended Projects (one New Talent and one Professional per category) will receive:
• A WIA Certificate.
• An in depth profile feature on the AOI website.
Each of the 20 Category Winners (one New Talent and one Professional per category) will also receive:
• A WIA trophy.
• An enhanced entry in the digital catalogue (TBC)
• A complimentary AOI membership with Folio for one year with all the benefits this brings including business advice, access to exclusive ressources and more.
Overall Prizes include:
One Overall Professional Winner, selected from the ten Category Winners will receive a coveted WIA Trophy.
• They will win a generous cash prize of £2,000.
• They will receive a two-page marketing package in Workbook’s Directory of Illustration 2025 edition, valued at $4,020 US Dollars, includes a 200-image professional portfolio on directoryofillustration.com and workbook.com websites.
One of the ten New Talent Category Winners will be named as the Overall New Talent Winner.
• They will win a generous cash prize £1,000, and a copy of Workbook’s Directory of Illustration 2025 edition (releases in January 2025).
There are also four Cross-Category Awards on offer:
AOI Members Award, selected from any AOI Member shortlisted for WIA2024.
The winner will receive:
• a complimentary year-long membership plus folio
• a copy of the Guide to Law and the current Directories, worth £300
• a WIA Certificate
The DI Award, selected from all shortlisted Professional entries
• The Directory of Illustration Award will be chosen from the shortlisted Professional entries by a panel of Workbook Creative staff. The winner will receive a single-page marketing package in Workbook’s Directory of Illustration 2025 edition, with a current value of $2,700 US Dollars.
The Huion Digital Innovation Award (绘王数字创新奖), selected from all shortlisted entries using digital media in all or part of its creation, is given to a project displaying considerable innovation with digital media.
• The winner will win a Huion pen display (high-end).
• They will also be presented with a WIA certificate.
All shortlisted unrepresented New Talent entries are eligible for the SAA Agents Award for New Talent
• The winner is offered a six-month trial representation with one of the leading SAA Illustration agents.
• This award includes mentoring and career development.
• The winner will also benefit from having their work showcased on the SAA’s website and across their social media platforms.
• The winner will also be presented with a WIA certificate
Who are the Judges?
WIA Judges are experts in their sectors, chosen to represent a global view on illustration. Find out more.
Advertising: Daniel Cobb is a freelance Creative Director, formerly with Havas Worldwide, USA
Editorial, sponsored by Procreate: Grace Molteni, Senior Designer, Mother Jones, USA
Publishing, sponsored by Rebelle: Pooja Desai, Art Director at Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing, Australia
Exploration: Peter Phobia is a German illustrator, animator and skateboarder based in New York.
“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 any 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.