D&AD call for entries for 2012 Student Awards

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D&AD is providing creatively ambitious students around the world the ultimate platform to launch their careers.

The annual D&AD Student Awards are now live, offering students worldwide a diverse range of real world challenges from across design and advertising.

Entering the awards directly places students in front of the industry; whilst winning provides them with the opportunity of a coveted spot on the D&AD Graduate Academy, including a paid placement or bursary.

As D&AD celebrates its 50th Anniversary in 2012, there is no better time for graduates to get their work – and their name – in the spotlight.

A wide range of briefs have been set by some of the best creative and business professionals in the world. Challenges include re-branding the City of London; illustrating the cover of Little White Lies magazine; designing the next generation of performance eyewear for Oakley; promoting Spotify’s musical conversation on Facebook; creating the hotel room of the future for Intercontinental Hotel Group, and creating a photography story for Rankin’s new magazine, The Hunger.

This is also the first year that an award is open to New Creatives, anyone aged 26 or under, or who has graduated within the last two years. Make Your Mark challenges graduates to focus on how they present themselves, and their talent, to potential employers.

The awards provide invaluable skills to thousands of graduates worldwide, allowing industry to help shape and support new talent. 81% of Student Award winners attend an interview within three-months of winning. Placements are supported by many leading agencies, including Interbrand, who are offering a three-month internship to one lucky graduate.

The awards are open to those brave enough to face the briefs and the industry, from anywhere in the world. Through the Student Awards and the Graduate Academy, D&AD are striving to bridge the gap between students graduating, and gaining successful employment, ensuring that the next generation of creative superstars are not forgotten.

Says Tim Lindsay, D&AD CEO: “Industry has a duty to nurture new talent – not because D&AD tells it to, but because the creative economy relies on new ideas to thrive. If we want to stay competitive in the global marketplace, the best way to do that is to support our best young minds. Their ideas will become the award winning work of the future.”

Andy Payne, Interbrand’s Global Chief Creative Office, noted: “At Interbrand, we believe that the power to create or to change the world is owned by those individuals who see the world’s problems as opportunities to change things for the better. We believe such aspirations needed to be encouraged at the very beginning of a creative career. We are delighted to partner with the D&AD and both recognise and encourage those students who will change the world in the future.”

“There is no degree course out there that can offer the same experience as the Graduate Academy,” says Tim Wan, D&AD graduate.

About D&AD

D&AD is a not-for-profit organisation that represents the international design, advertising and creative communities. D&AD sets industry standards, educates and inspires the next generation, and promotes the importance of creativity, innovation and ideas to the business community. Visit the website for further information. Registered Charity Number: 305992.

About the D&AD Student Awards

The D&AD Student Awards showcase the best emerging design and advertising talent from hundreds of colleges and universities around the globe. Working with real clients, on real world briefs, the awards provide the largest international platform for the next generation of creative superstars.

  1. 2012 is the 35th anniversary of the D&AD Student Awards
  2. 76% of winners of the D&AD Student Awards are in a job or placement within three months.
  3. The Student Awards are only open to full or part time students enrolled on recognised undergraduate, postgraduate and Higher Education courses, anywhere in the world.
  4. For the first time in 2012, New Creatives can enter the ‘Make Your Mark’ brief. D&AD consider New Creatives to be under 26 years of age on 9 March 2012 or to have graduated in the two years before 9 March 2012, including mature students.

How to apply

To enter, simply register on the D&AD website, download your chosen brief, work your creative magic, and submit your proposal by 9th March 2012.