Indigo Global Awards for Design and Visual Creativity
Applicant criteria
- No specific age required
- Both
Opportunity criteria
Opportunity description
The Indigo Design Award has opened submissions for its 2027 edition, welcoming designers, agencies, students, and creatives from around the world, including participants from Arab countries.
Indigo is considered one of the leading international competitions and awards in graphic design, digital design, branding, and design for social change. The award aims to highlight creative projects that combine innovative ideas, high-quality execution, functionality, and strong visual or social impact.
Entries may be submitted by agencies and design teams, independent designers, or students currently enrolled in design schools, institutes, or universities. Submissions are evaluated by an international judging panel composed of professionals who currently work or have previously worked with leading global companies in design, technology, and creative industries.
The competition is suitable for Arab students and designers seeking to showcase their work before an international audience, gain professional recognition, and strengthen their résumés and portfolios. However, it is a paid competition and does not advertise a cash prize. The awards primarily focus on international recognition, promotion, and showcasing winning projects.
Competition Categories
The Indigo Design Award accepts submissions across four main fields:
Graphic Design
This category includes several subfields, such as:
- Print design.
- Poster design.
- Illustration.
- Book and magazine design.
- Packaging design.
- Advertising campaign design.
- Infographics.
- Typography and typeface design.
- Promotional material design.
- Animation and motion graphics.
Digital Design
This category includes:
- Website design.
- Mobile application design.
- User experience design (UX).
- User interface design (UI).
- Digital product design.
- Interactive applications.
- Games and digital experiences.
- Virtual and augmented reality.
- E-commerce platforms.
- Software and digital service design.
Branding Design
This category includes:
- Logo design.
- Visual identity.
- Brand development.
- Rebranding.
- Corporate identity systems.
- Product and service branding.
- Brand-related campaigns.
- Startup branding.
Design for Social Change
This category includes projects that use design to address issues such as:
- Education.
- Environment and sustainability.
- Health.
- Human rights.
- Social justice.
- Equality and diversity.
- Community support.
- Humanitarian work.
- Cultural and social issues.
- Nonprofit initiatives.
Benefits
Winners of the Indigo Design Award receive a range of professional and promotional benefits, including:
- International recognition from an award specializing in design.
- Publication of winning projects on the official winners’ page for one year.
- Inclusion of winning work in the Indigo Book of Design.
- An official award certificate.
- Digital badges and seals that can be used on websites, résumés, and portfolios.
- Promotion of winning projects through the award’s newsletter.
- Distribution of news and press materials to media outlets and platforms specializing in design.
- Enhanced professional credibility among clients and employers.
- The possibility for selected winners to be featured in an interview published on the official website.
- Exposure to an international community of designers and agencies.
- Free attendance for winners and their guests at the Indigo Design Award ceremony or event, subject to the arrangements announced by the organizer.
- An award trophy for Designer of the Year recipients or winners of other major categories designated by the competition.
- Professional networking opportunities with designers and industry experts during the annual event.
Eligibility criteria
- The applicant must be an individual designer, student, or design agency.
- The competition is open to all nationalities, including applicants from Arab countries.
- Applications may be submitted from anywhere in the world.
- The submitted project must be no more than five years old.
- Applicants must own the rights to the work or have authorization to submit it.
- All entry information must be provided in English.
- The required entry fee must be paid.
- Applicants may submit more than one project.
- The same project may be entered in multiple categories.
- All files and links must be clear and accessible to the judging panel.
Submission Requirements
Applicants must prepare the following information and materials:
- The project title.
- The name of the design director or lead designer.
- The name of the company, agency, or university, depending on the applicant category.
- The client’s name, if the project was completed for another organization.
- The appropriate field and category.
- An English description explaining the project concept and objectives.
- A project link, where applicable.
- Up to 10 images for each entry.
- Images must be submitted in JPG or PNG format.
- Each image must not exceed 5 MB.
- An optional PDF file may be attached.
- A website, application, or video link may be added to present the project more clearly.
- All submitted links must be active and accessible.
- A password must be provided if the project or link is password-protected.
Application Deadlines
The officially announced dates for the Indigo Design Award 2027 are:
- Early submission with a 15% discount: Until September 30, 2026.
- Extended early submission with a 10% discount: Until November 30, 2026.
- Regular submission deadline: January 31, 2027.
- Judging session: March 2027.
- Announcement of winners: April 2027.
- Annual award event: Expected to take place in late May 2027. The host city has not yet been announced.
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