Creative all-star to attend the D&AD Professional Awards in London

The annual D&AD Awards show is set to take place in London on 19 May, to recognise the very best creative work from around the world. A D&AD Pencil is heralded as one of the most acclaimed accolades in the marketing communications industry. This year, awards for 27 different categories will be presented to the most outstanding agencies for their work which can set the bar in delivering creative excellence.

An annual celebration of the industry’s best work

Since 1962, D&AD has been inspiring creative professionals by celebrating and encouraging the finest work in design and advertising. The programme not only recognises the best work from around the world, it brings together a vibrant global community of creative professionals, clients and training facilitators. Each year, D&AD attracts the world’s top creative all-stars as well as an impressive line-up of judges and speakers. 

Building the next generation of creative leaders

Whilst providing a platform to recognise world-class creative work, D&AD also aims to cultivate new talent and hosts an array of engaging training programmes and workshops to support the growth of young professionals in the industry. The D&AD New Blood Award was specifically introduced to give professionals under the age of 24 a leg-up and put them on the path towards a brighter future in the creative industry. Budding film directors and photographers also have the opportunity to win a Pencil and have their talent promoted throughout the industry. 

From a small gathering to a tradition extending over 54 years

D&AD originally started when a group of designers and art directors came together to celebrate creative communications in Britain and raise the standards within the industry. The founding members of the awards show included creative veterans such as David Bailey, Terence Donovan and Allen Fletcher, who initially launched the programme as ‘British Design & Art Direction’. From 2,500 entries they selected just 16 pieces of work to receive the highly coveted Yellow Pencil, the ultimate symbol of creative excellence. Today, D&AD and its members represent a broader creative fraternity and recognise a diverse array of work from around the world. 

Funding and facilitating change

As a non-profit organisation, D&AD channels all of its surplus revenue back into the creative industry. The D&AD Foundation was set up to fund programmes that specifically develop and uplift the next generation of creative leaders. The foundation also encourages and campaigns for creative industries to actively contribute towards solving the world’s toughest social and environmental issues. The foundation inspires creative thinking, promotes diversity and urges industry players to join hands and work towards a fairer and more sustainable future. The D&AD Foundation also devises new and better ways for professionals to learn creative skills that are relevant to the industry, it helps to remove obstacles that prevent people from flourishing in the industry and it promotes creativity as a driver for economic and social good. 

The power of creativity

Today, many businesses and brands have the opportunity to harness the power of creativity as a force for good that can make a positive difference in the world. Recently D&AD partnered with Advertising Week to identify and celebrate the most transformative and creative ideas from across the globe that have made a tangible impact on people and the planet and contributed towards a greater good. 

This year, the world’s top creative agencies, will once again vie for a highly coveted D&AD Pencil. It remains the ultimate symbol of creative success and only the world’s best professionals and agencies will have the honour of bringing a Pencil home.