The World Illustration Awards open for entries in December 2019 until 18 February 2020.Presented by the Association of Illustrators (AOI) in partnership with USA based Directory of Illustration, the Awards build on the AOI’s 45-year tradition of competitions, and will bepresented in a refreshed format for 2020. The Awards are open to professional and new talent illustrators living and working in any country.

“The Awards celebrate the global nature of illustration. They are an extraordinary moment to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the most exciting work being made, to celebrate the illustrators behind the work, and to showcase the very best of the illustration industry.”

Ren Renwick, CEO, The Association of Illustrators

New Categories

The World Illustration Awards 2020 will be judged across ten exciting, refreshed categories that represent the work being made in the industry today.

New categories include Book Covers, Science and Technology, and Design, Product and Packaging. Four Cross-Category Awards will be presented this year, including a new Innovation Award, recognising work that truly pushes the boundaries of the artform.

“This new award recognises that innovation comes from all areas of the industry, allowing truly ground-breaking work in any arena to be celebrated.”

Elizabeth Owen, President, Serbin Creative.

Prizes

The WIA are recognised as the most prestigious illustration awards globally – but that doesn’t mean there aren’t great prizes as well. The Overall Winners will enjoy cash prizes totalling £3,000, sponsored by Winsor & Newton. Category Winners enjoy in-kind benefits, as well as the coveted WIA trophies. All shortlisted entrants will be presented in a digital and print publication sent to commissioners worldwide and available for sale. Shortlisted entries will also be presented in a new look exhibition, as part of the WIA Events Programme in October 2020.

WIA Events Programme and Awards Ceremony

New for 2020 the AOI will host a programme of talks and events alongside a new look showcase of all 200 shortlisted projects at one of London’s most exciting new venues, Elephant West.

“We know that illustrators travel around the world to come to the awards- and we wanted to create a space for illustrators, agents and commissioners to meet, share ideas, approaches – to explore our industry in a relaxed, informal setting.”

Ren Renwick, CEO The Association of Illustrators.

We are delighted to be working with our new partner Elephant West to present the exhibition and programme of professional development and social events.