The un Design Award has entered its second season and it is open for entries for 2026. Centered around the theme “The Self is the World“, the competition embraces an operational philosophy of being “undefined”. Its aim is to discover and recognize the most influential, outstanding designs and innovative talents worldwide. Based on the collective average scores of the submissions, the un Design Award will confer “Platinum,” “Gold,” and “Silver” awards.

Read more about un Design Award 2026 – Season 2 on Contest Watchers.

The 19th edition of Plaktivat, the international poster design competition, is now open. This year’s theme is Community(ies), and TAM-TAM are inviting creatives from around the world to design a poster that inspires people to come together and build genuine human connections. The jury will select one winning poster from all eligible entries. The winning design will be printed and displayed at 500 TAM-TAM poster locations across Slovenia. It will also be entered into the competitive programmes of the Slovenian Advertising Festival (SOF) and the Brumen Biennial of Slovenian Design.

Read more about Plaktivat 19: Community(ies) – Poster Design Competition on Contest Watchers.

The Adachi UKIYOE Award is an international competition seeking artists to create new ukiyo-e for today. The Award is based on the traditional collaborative system of ukiyo-e production, in which the eshi (artist) creates the original design, the horishi (carver) carves the woodblocks, and the surishi (printer) prints the image. Contemporary artists are invited to take on the role of the eshi, bringing their own visual language and ideas to this centuries-old process. In its 18th edition, the first- and second-prize winners will create new designs with professional carvers and printers in Japan.

Read more about The Adachi UKIYOE Award 2026 on Contest Watchers.

Super South has opened entries for the 2027 Poster Design Competition, held under the heading “Designing the Future We Imagine“. The global call invites designers, artists, architects, students, innovators and creative thinkers from around the world. It seeks posters visualizing the technologies, systems, communities and ideas of a sustainable future. The best works will be awarded with more than $5,000 in cash prizes, including a Platinum award of $2,500, Gold of $1,000, Silver of $750, Bronze of $500 and a Student award of $500. Around 100 finalists will be professionally printed and exhibited, and all participants receive a digital Certificate of Participation. Selected designs will be showcased as part of Super South Summit in Atlanta in 2027.

Read more about Super South Poster Design Competition 2027 on Contest Watchers.

The 10th edition of the Indigo Design Award has opened for entries. The Indigo Design Award is an international competition recognizing outstanding achievements in graphic, digital, branding, UX/UI, packaging, and other design disciplines. Judged by a distinguished panel of global design leaders, the award celebrates creativity, innovation, and excellence.

Read more about Indigo Design Award 2027 on Contest Watchers.

The 2027 edition of the AZ Awards has been announced by AZURE Magazine. The international architecture and design competition showcases the world’s best projects, products and ideas. The competition invites architects, designers and students from around the world to participate. It welcomes entries across architecture, interiors, landscape, urbanism and product design. The best works will be awarded with the AZ Awards trophy, publication in print and online, and international exposure. The A+ Award for Student Work bestows a $5,000 CAD cash prize.

Read more about AZ Awards 2027 – Architecture and Design Competition on Contest Watchers.

The Type Directors Club, the world’s leading typography organization, has launched the global call for entries for its prestigious TDC73 competition. The competition invites designers, studios, type foundries, letterers, educators, and other creative professionals from around the world to participate. Entries are sought across three disciplines — Communication Design, Lettering, and Type Design — under the theme “Be Bold, Be Seen (All Characters Welcome)“. Winners receive TDC Type-High Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards or Certificates of Merit, along with a digital seal certifying their work is among the world’s best typography of the year. Winning work is also showcased in eight exhibitions that travel to museums, schools, and design organizations around the world, and earns points in The One Club for Creativity’s Global Creative Rankings.

Read more about The TDC 73rd Annual Competition on Contest Watchers.

The International Excellence Awards 2027 invite architects, designers, studios and students worldwide to enter built and conceptual projects in 11 categories, from architecture and interiors to product, fashion and AI-powered design. The International Excellence Awards were founded in 2025 by Architecture & Design Community, and the 2027 edition is the programme’s third season. Winners receive a personalised certificate, a custom award logo, a banner kit for social media and a dedicated winner’s page on the awards website with a studio card and contact details. Trophies are available to order separately.

Read more about International Excellence Awards (IEA) 2027 on Contest Watchers.

Communication Arts invites you to enter the most prestigious competition for creativity in graphic design, the Communication Arts Design Competition. Any design project printed, published or aired for the first time from May 2026 through May 2027 is eligible. Selected by a jury of leading design professionals, the winning entries will be distributed worldwide in the Communication Arts Design Annual, in print and digital editions, and on commarts.com, assuring important exposure to the creators of this outstanding work.

Read more about Communication Arts Design Competition 2027 on Contest Watchers.

The Poster for___ project has opened the 6th edition of the Poster for___ International Poster Competition, inviting designers and artists from around the world to submit poster designs addressing social, environmental, cultural, and technological themes. The competition is structured around six categories. Selected works are exhibited on billboards in Times Square, New York City, and in previous editions have been shown in Beijing, Qingdao, King of Prussia, and Dalian.

Read more about Poster for___. International Poster Competition – 6th Edition on Contest Watchers.