12 Must-See Online Design Competition Directories

We all understand how tough it is to get noticed in a crowded and fiercely competitive art and design industry. It doesn’t matter if you’re creating work for school, clients, or simply for your own enjoyment – standing out from the pack can be a major challenge. Without recognition, it’s nearly impossible to turn our love for art into a successful career because nobody will know who we are. That’s why it’s crucial for us to enter design competitions.

I’ve put together this guide to help you navigate the world of design competitions. As a designer or artist looking to make a name for yourself, it’s crucial to target the right recruiters and reach a wide audience. Design competitions offer the perfect platform to showcase your talent and prove yourself in the industry. Since you’re already motivated to take your design career to new heights, I don’t need to convince you of the benefits. So, let’s dive into the top 12 online design competition directories that are essential for your success.

15 Young and Talented Designers

Our society is filled with stereotypes, and one common belief is that you need to complete your education to succeed. But that’s not always the case. Read more about it here.

AIGA

AIGA, the group of design professionals, organizes regular contests to celebrate outstanding design and illustrate the power of effective design. These competitions cover all areas of design, whether it’s for print or digital, regardless of the platform.

Last year, AIGA held the “365 Design Effectiveness Exhibition,” which displayed the excellence of design that effectively communicates both visually and functionally.

This year, AIGA is hosting the “Justified” competition, a showcase of design that demonstrates its effectiveness.

Besides competitions, AIGA also organizes events, workshops, conferences, and galleries on a regular basis. AIGA is an incredibly valuable resource for any designer to keep track of. It holds the distinction of being the oldest and largest professional organization for design, with an impressive membership of over 22,000 people across 66 chapters in the United States alone.

Hey there!

Have you ever heard of Contest Watchers? They’re a pretty awesome group that goes out and finds all sorts of cool contests from around the world. They don’t just stop at contests though, they also keep an eye out for scholarships and workshops too. They’ve got a whole database filled with all sorts of opportunities!

But that’s not all – Contest Watchers also loves to give recognition to talented artists like you. They feature the names of contest winners on their website, which means you could get some major exposure. How cool is that?

And here’s something really interesting – the folks over at Contest Watchers say that winning one of their featured contests could help you reach a worldwide audience! Imagine the possibilities!

Have you ever heard of the amazing competitions that have taken place on Contest Watchers? They’re so exciting! I want to tell you about a few of the past competitions they’ve had:

The first one is the 7th International Mobile Gaming Awards (IMGA). Every year, this contest celebrates the most innovative and creative mobile games from all over the world. It’s a big deal in the gaming industry!

Next up is the 10th Annual Independent Music Awards. This program is all about recognizing the best independent artists and releases from around the globe. It’s a prestigious competition that gives these artists the recognition they deserve.

Lastly, there’s the Art Revolution Taipei 2012 International Art Competition. This event brings together hundreds of amazing galleries and artists from all over the world. It’s a fantastic opportunity for both established and emerging artists to showcase their talent.

Contest Watchers has hosted some really cool competitions, don’t you think? I can’t wait to see what they have in store for us next!

I never would have known about any of these contests if it weren’t for Contest Watchers. If you’re serious about getting recognized as a creative professional, I highly recommend staying updated with all the news and announcements from Contest Watchers.

Dexigner

Dexigner is a website that collects design news and also has a huge collection of design contests from different creative fields.

Dexigner’s contests range from the Foam Talent Call, a competition for young photographers looking to make their mark, to Adobe’s Youth Voice Aspire Competition, which invites teenagers to showcase their creativity and skills in video, print, or audio, expressing their thoughts on important issues that matter to them.

Hey there! I gotta tell you about this amazing website called Dexigner. It’s not only a place where designers can compete, but also an awesome hub for design news! Seriously, I think it might be the best resource out there for all things design.

What’s really cool about Dexigner is that it’s so easy to navigate. You can find all the design news you need in one place, and the site looks great on any device. It’s like having a personal assistant keeping you up to date!

But that’s not all! Dexigner has this incredible directory that helps you find competitions and events near you. It’s super detailed, so you can easily find what you’re looking for based on location. It’s like your one-stop shop for all things design!

Speaking of competitions…

Have you heard of Graphic Competitions? It’s a really neat website that focuses specifically on visual art contests. Whether you’re a graphic designer, photographer, illustrator, or animator, they’ve got competitions for everyone. It’s a great place to showcase your skills and maybe even win some cool prizes!

Hey there! Did you know that Graphics Competitions is not just a regular design website? They have a special section just for students, where you can showcase your skills and win awesome prizes! How cool is that?

But that’s not all! Graphics Competitions is also a treasure trove of resources for artists like you. They have a fantastic bookshop filled with all kinds of goodies that will make your artistic heart skip a beat. You’ll find everything you need to dive deep into the world of art!

Let me tell you about some of the awesome competitions happening on Graphics Competitions. There’s the World Standards Day 2012 Poster Competition, where you get to design a poster with the theme of “Less waste, better results – Standards increase efficiency.” How cool would it be to see your design out there, spreading awareness?

And then there’s the Chelten Illustration Awards 2012. This competition is all about the magic of illustration and invites artists like you to create artwork inspired by the theme of “Magical Objects.” Just imagine the incredible illustrations that will come out of this!

Now let’s talk about CommArts or Communication Arts. These guys have been in the design world since way back in 1959, so you know they know their stuff. And the best part is, they love sharing their knowledge with all you creative folks!

So, if you’re looking for a place to show off your skills, learn from the best, and find amazing resources, Graphics Competitions and CommArts are the places to be. Get ready to dive into the world of design and unleash your creative genius!

Hey there! Did you know that CommArts has a cool magazine called “Communication Arts Magazine”? It’s not just online – they also publish a physical version! I love reading their features and articles about design. They really know how to showcase and profile creative designers from all over the world.

And here’s something exciting – CommArts has not one, not two, but six exclusive competitions! They cover everything related to visual communications. The best part? The winning selections get published in both the print and online versions. How awesome is that?

If you’re an artist or creative professional, there’s a competition that you simply can’t afford to miss. It’s a global platform that allows art and creative directors, graphic designers, web designers, copywriters, photographers, and illustrators to showcase their talents and get noticed by potential clients and colleagues. These competitions are highly regarded in the industry and winning them can do wonders for your career.

According to the people behind this competition, winning their Award of Excellence is a dream come true for any professional in the field. It puts you in an elite group of the best of the best.

What makes this competition even more prestigious is the esteemed review panel made up of industry leaders and visionaries. Just to name a few, Saul Bass, Michael Beirut, Lee Clow, Hillman Curtis, Louise Fili, Milton Glaser, Jeff Goodby, Hal Riney, Sam Scali, Paula Scher, Michael Vanderbyl, Lynda Weinman, Fred Woodward, and Jeffrey Zeldman. These are the people who will be evaluating your work, so you know you’re in good hands.

Design Boom

I’m an avid designer and always on the lookout for new learning opportunities and ways to challenge myself in the design world. That’s why I love Design Boom! It’s an incredible site that not only provides a platform for designers like me to learn and grow but also allows us to showcase our skills and compete with other talented individuals.

With over 24,148 articles in its vast information repository, Design Boom is a treasure trove of knowledge. It’s a one-stop destination for all things design, offering a wide range of topics and resources to explore and expand our horizons.

One of the highlights of Design Boom is its fantastic courses called “Design-Aerobics.” These courses cover various fascinating topics, from self-promotion and temporary structures (pop-up) to graphic design, shopping, paper, and even food! Now, you might think that these titles sound simplistic, but trust me, they’re anything but.

When you delve into the actual course materials, you’ll be blown away by the wealth of information and insights they offer. Each course is a deep dive into the world of design, equipping you with valuable skills and knowledge that you can apply to your own projects and journey as a designer.

So, whether you’re a seasoned designer looking to refine your craft or a newcomer eager to learn the ropes, Design Boom is the place to be. Join me on this exciting adventure and let’s unlock our full potential as designers!

You won’t find a specific list of ongoing competitions on Design Boom, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. Design Boom publishes articles that often include information about contests and competitions. While you might need to do a bit of reading, it’s worth the effort to find out about the latest opportunities.

Now, when it comes to finished design competitions, Design Boom has got you covered. They feature a list of results from past contests. I included Design Boom on this list because their website is top-notch, and they have a large audience of readers. So, if you were to win a contest featured on Design Boom, you’d gain a significant amount of exposure in a very short period of time.

Designophy Calendar

(By the way, Designophy Calendar is no longer available.)

Designophy is a fantastic resource for design news. They had a calendar that was packed with information about competitions, conferences, events, fairs, and educational opportunities. Unfortunately, the calendar is no longer in service, but it’s still worth checking out Designophy for other design-related content.

Hey there! Guess what? I’ve got some exciting news to share with you. Designophy isn’t just your average design website – it’s a place where you can dive into a vast sea of design knowledge! Are you ready to explore?

First of all, let me introduce you to Designopedia. It’s like a treasure trove filled with information about designers, products, and terms that will blow your mind. Whatever you’re curious about, you can find it there! It’s like having your own personal encyclopedia of design right at your fingertips.

But that’s not all. Designophy also has a fantastic resource list, which includes essential manuals, books, and magazines. Why spend hours searching for the perfect design book when you can find them all in one place? Trust me, this will save you tons of time and energy.

Now, let’s talk about the interviews and articles. Designophy is all about bringing you behind the scenes of the design world. They regularly chat with amazing designers, getting the inside scoop on their creative process. And if you’re hungry for more design knowledge, you’re in luck! Designophy features articles that cover every aspect of design you can imagine. It’s like a crash course in design, delivered straight to your screen.

So, whether you’re a design enthusiast or a budding designer yourself, Designophy is the place to be. Get ready to be inspired, educated, and amazed by the world of design. You won’t regret it!

Welcome to the Studio1C Blog!

(Please note that the Studio1C Blog is no longer in service.)

At Studio1C, we specialize in internet marketing, SEO, and web design. But did you know that we also offer an amazing collection of design competitions from all over the world? That’s right!

Our list of contests includes the highly coveted DieLine Package Design Awards. If you have a passion for package design, this is the competition for you! We also have the thrilling Conqueror 2012 Typographic Games, where designers create sports posters with an artistic twist.

But wait, there’s more! We’ve also curated a list of ongoing competitions from various websites. If you’re someone who loves a challenge (or enjoys basking in great success), this is perfect for you!

Attention PrintMag enthusiasts!

(Please note that PrintMag is no longer in service.)

Hey there! Have you heard of PrintMag? It’s an awesome magazine that’s all about visual culture and design. But it’s not just a magazine – it’s also a huge online resource for everything related to print design. Pretty cool, huh?

Believe it or not, PrintMag has been around since way back in 1940. Yeah, that’s a really long time ago! And let me tell you, it’s made quite a name for itself. People say it’s one of the most engaging, insightful, and journalistic endeavors ever seen. Impressive, right?

So, what can PrintMag do for you? Well, if you’re a print designer, you’re in luck. PrintMag has an awesome resource section just for you. It’s filled with all kinds of helpful stuff. And even if you’re not a designer, there’s still plenty of inspiration to be found. Gotta love that!

But wait, there’s more! PrintMag also has a directory section. This is where you can find all sorts of design firms, schools, designers, and even printing services. Need some stock images? They’ve got those too. And if you’re looking to stock up on tools and resources, their online shop is the place to be. They’ve got it all!

I want to tell you about Print’s competitions. They have this one called the Print Design Annual Competition—super famous! It’s all about printed stuff, like any cool materials you can make. Right now, they’re not accepting entries, but keep an eye out for when they open again.

All Art Competitions

(All Art Competitions isn’t available anymore, by the way.)

All Art Competitions used to be this sweet website that showcased art competitions from all over the world. It had a bunch of listings that I didn’t see anywhere else. Pretty unique, if you ask me!

Here’s something cool about All Art Competitions: they actually tell you how much moolah you can win right in the competition title. That’s not something you see every day.

Hey there! Are you interested in art competitions and contests? Well, I’ve got some exciting news for you! All Art Competitions is a fantastic website that showcases a wide range of competitions and contests in the art world. You’ll find everything from video contests like the $10,000 Southern Comfort Video Contest and the $7,500 Dole Video Contest, to lesser-known creative contests in disciplines like sculpture, literature, poetry, architecture, dance, and music.

Design Competition

(Unfortunately, Design Competition is no longer in service)

But wait, there’s more! I’ve also stumbled upon another great resource called Design Competition. It used to be a directory for online design competitions, although it’s no longer in service. However, when it was active, it had a simple and straightforward style. The best part? It had a bunch of entries that were hard to find anywhere else! It was like uncovering hidden gems.

If you’re looking for a place to showcase your creative abilities, Design Competition is a website to check out. They have a wide range of competitions that you can participate in. One thing that caught my attention on their site is the countdown timer in the top right-hand corner. It’s a bit cheesy, but it’s effective and keeps you informed about when the next competition deadline is coming up.

In conclusion

There are plenty of opportunities for you to shine and display your talents. Design competitions provide a crucial platform for you to demonstrate your skills to the world. Thanks to the internet, your work has the potential to be seen by people all over the globe. All you need to do is take the time to compete with others in your field.

If you’re dedicated and passionate about your craft, you have a good chance of doing well in a design competition. I genuinely hope that this article has been helpful to you in your creative pursuits. Thank you for taking the time to read it!