The 24th edition of ADC Young Guns is open for entries.
Founded by the Art Directors Club in 1996 as a showcase of emerging creative talent, ADC Young Guns is a portfolio-based competition for creative professionals 30 years of age or under, and has grown to become one of the most coveted accolades in the global creative community.
Winning an ADC Young Guns award is a recognition of emerging creative talent. Winners join the ADC Young Guns alumni community and are celebrated at the ADC Young Guns 24 Celebration in January 2027, at Sony Hall in New York City.
The competition is open to creative professionals 30 years of age or under with at least two years of professional experience and a portfolio of creative work spanning disciplines from advertising, graphic design, illustration, photography, filmmaking and animation to many other fields. It invites individuals and teams of up to three people from around the world to submit a portfolio of six projects.
ADC Young Guns is a portfolio-based competition judged as a collection of work. Eligible creative fields include, but are not limited to:
- Graphic Design
- Photography
- Illustration
- Advertising
- Art Direction
- Environmental Design
- Film
- Animation
- Motion Graphics
- Interactive Design
- Typography
- Architecture
- Copywriting
- Product Design
- Package Design
- Fashion Design
- Furniture Design
- Interior Design
- Sound Design
- Industrial Design
Entrants must be born after 1 January 1995, and be 30 or younger on that date, even if they turn 31 while the competition is open for entries. Also, entrants must have a minimum of two years of professional experience; both full-time and freelance work qualify.
Teams, partnerships and collectives of up to three people may enter as one unit, provided each member meets all other eligibility qualifications.
ADC Young Guns is organized by The One Club for Creativity, the non-profit organization behind The One Show, ADC Awards, ADC Young Guns, the Type Directors Club and the Young Ones student awards.
ADC Young Guns 24 – Entry Fees
- $150 – Regular Entry Deadline: 27 August 2026 at 11:59 PM ET
- $200 – Final Entry Deadline: 24 September 2026 at 11:59 PM ET
