Our helpful 10 Step Guide takes you through the WIA2023 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.
• When you register, the website will auto-generate a password to login to the site and access the entry form.
• 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 in the past 3 years), 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 2: Read our helpful Hints & Tips

• Read the about page for all the important information
• Access further resources here
• And the Terms and Conditions outline the rules in detail

Step 6: 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 2021). Everyone else should enter as Professional.
• Decide which format to use. You can choose a single image or gif, or a multiple entry for 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.

Step 7: Gather the information that you will need to complete the form

• 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.
• Subtitle: Add a description such as ‘Illustrations for a children’s picture book’, or ‘Animation for an advertising campaign’.
• 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)
• How was the illustration used? What is the intended use of the illustration? Choose the relevant options from the list (this can be intended use if the work is a college project, or uncommissioned). You can also add uses manually.
• 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.

Step 8: Fill in the form

• Please note we can only accept entries in English.
• You can edit the information in the form by clicking ‘Update’ in your account.
• Entries that have not been paid for will stay in your account until you delete them.
• You can start the form, and go back and edit if you need to.
• You will need to put something in the required form fields in order to save it.
• 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.

Step 9: 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.
• 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’.
• Select your currency from GBP, EUR or USD.
• If you change the currency, click ‘Update Basket’ to see the correct price.
• 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.
• 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.
• If you live in a territory where Paypal is not available, 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.

Step 10: 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 and #WIA2023 #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 the outcome of your entry in Spring 2023.
• 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.