- Illustrators (including duos and collectives), commissioners, agents and tutors are invited to submit illustration created since 1 January 2021 into the World Illustration Awards 2022.
- There is no limit to the medium or format of the illustrations that you can enter, but you do need to select one of the 10 categories for each of your entries.
- You can enter as many projects as you like!
- The competition is open to illustrators over 18 years old.
- Current students and recent graduates are welcome to enter, as well as those without formal training.
Every entry is reviewed by an independent judge, 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
When you are thinking about what to enter, as well as considering these judging criteria, think about illustration that really sings – work with the spark that lifts it off the page or screen.
It may be that it has come from a personal passion, or challenged you technically – or been one of those surprise commissions that just works.
There is no right or wrong – most illustrators will have at least one project that makes them sit up and think ‘Yes! That’s what I want my work to do’. Usually, those are the projects to enter.
You must enter using the online form. You will need to choose a category, format and whether to enter as a New Talent or Professional illustrator.
You can choose whether to enter a single or multiple image project. You can also decide if you wish to enter a URL to a moving image project, or animated gifs, or a combination of all of these.
You can enter up to 5 images for a multiple entry (or combination of images and links).
New Talent and Professional
New Talent illustrators are defined as current students, or recent graduates (since January 2021).
Everyone else should enter as Professional.
WIA Judges are experts in their sectors, and are chosen to represent a global view of illustration.
Meet our WIA2022 judges here – with more to be announced as they are confirmed!
14 February 2022 – deadline to enter
23 February – new extended deadline
March – April 2022 – judging
1 June 2022 – longlist announced
30 September 2022 – shortlist announced and showcase launch
1 November 2022 – winners announced
December 2022 – WIA2023 call for entries launch
Categories
The ten categories reflect the breadth of illustration being created today;
Image credit: Marie DoerflerAdvertising: Illustration sells
Illustration created for commercial advertising campaigns for products or services including:
• magazine print ads • billboards • TV commercials • broadcast • social media • websites • flyers • entire campaigns
Image credit: Amy MossAlternative Publishing: Beyond the book
Celebrating exciting new forms of publishing for readers of any age. Illustration in any book format can be entered into this category, including:
• zines • graphic novels • comics • artist books • poetry and anthologies • handmade books • limited edition books
Image credit: Shabazz LarkinBook Covers: Judging a book by its cover
Any cover artwork for books for readers of any age. This category includes whole cover artwork made for:
• children’s books
• self-published books
• books for a general readership
Image credit: Dide TengizIllustration created for use in publications for readers under 16 years old including inside illustrations, whole book design or entire publications for:
• fiction • non-fiction • educational books • picture books • interactive books • reference books • pop-up books • e-books
Image credit: Nick HayesCommercial Publishing: Engaging readers
Commissioned or prospective illustration for use in commercially published books for readers 16+ years old. This category includes inside illustrations or whole book design for:
• works of fiction • non-fiction • text books • e-books • interactive books • reference books • poetry and anthologies • graphic novels • picture books and humour
Image credit: Zamo PezaDesign, Product & Packaging: Shaping our Visual World
Including illustration for branding, products, logos, packaging for:
• fashion • graphic design • product design • stationery, greetings cards and calendars • record sleeves • stamps • pattern, surface, textile and wallpaper design • typography and lettering • icons and logos • games
• annual reports • poster design
Image credit: Fatinha RamosIllustration for journalism and comment in digital or print format for example:
• feature articles • news items • cartoons • political satire • reportage • documentary • current affairs
Image credit: Dominic BoddenExploration: Show Ambition and Vision
Testing personal practice ideas that do not necessarily sit within any other category. This category recognises the importance of personal work to the practicing illustrator.
This category is for work made to establish a style, work through ideas, and develop a portfolio.
Image credit: Tabitha WallScience & Technology: Illuminating Complex Ideas
Illustration that represents or explains scientific, medical or technological concepts.
This category includes illustration in the following areas:
• medical • botanical • architectural
• forensic • scientific • archaeological • data visualisation • information visualisation
WillustrationSite Specific: Enhancing Public Spaces
Illustration made for a particular place or space, for example:
• murals • street art • wall drawings
• graffiti • wayfinding systems • building wraps • window decals
• hoardings
Entry Fees
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:
£29 (GBP) per Single Entry // £49 (GBP) per Multiple Entry (incl VAT)
€34 (EURO) per Single Entry // €58 (EURO) per Multiple Entry
$33 (USD) per Single Entry // $60 (USD) per Multiple Entry
Please note that VAT rules apply depending on where the entrant is based and may affect the final fee you are paying.
Discounts
Current individual AOI Members (or corporate members entering their artists at time of payment) receive a 20% discount on their entries (applied automatically at the checkout when logged into member account).
Find out how to become an AOI member here.
Bursary scheme
For a second year, The Association of Illustrators and Directory of Illustration as WIA delivery partners are offering up to 20 UK-based and 20 USA-based illustrators the opportunity to enter one project into the World Illustration Awards 2022 free of charge.
This scheme has been devised to support illustrators who would otherwise not have the means to pay to enter WIA.
The WIA2022 scheme is now closed for applications.
Delivered by the AOI in partnership with USA-based Directory of Illustration, the Awards build on a 45-year tradition of the AOI organising juried survey competitions.
This high-profile competition is judged by distinguished professionals from the global illustration industry.
Commissioners value the Awards for identifying current trends and finding undiscovered talent, and illustrators value the connection and sense of community participating can bring.
The Awards are open for submissions annually from December to February. The jury then evaluates submissions and choses the winners. Announcements made in May for the longlist, September for the shortlist and the Winners are announced in October.
Over the years, many shortlisted and winning illustrators have received significant, career boosting exposure through the awards.
Our 45-year Awards History
The AOI first ran an annual competition, called Images, in 1975 that was open to any British Illustrator. It was unique then, as the selection for the publication was made by a jury, selecting the best contemporary submissions each year to be published in the annual.
In 2012, Images was replaced by the AOI Illustration Awards. These ran for two years, before The AOI formed a partnership with the Directory of Illustration in the USA and created the World Illustration Awards in 2015.
Previous Images annuals and WIA Catalogues can be purchased here