Disciplines & Categories

When the ADC Annual Awards was first introduced in 1921, its advertising submissions were limited to magazine ads and posters. Fast-forward a century, and this discipline covers an ever-growing variety of mediums, from online video and branded entertainment to direct mail pieces and electronic billboards. But don't worry, there's still room for those magazine ads and posters.

This discipline focuses on design specializations such as building design, landscape architecture and design, interior design, service design, certain areas of public art and more.

The Artificial Intelligence discipline is open to projects that incorporate the use of AI through application, idea, process and / or execution.

This discipline focuses on design and craftsmanship in the creation of books.

The ADC Annual Awards has a century long history of championing breathtaking design work. The Brand / Communication Design discipline focuses on many traditional aspects of the graphic design world, from logos and brand identities to posters and other promotional materials.

Brand-Side / In-House recognizes work produced by a brand's internal creative team that focuses on the advertising and marketing of their product or service.

The Design for Good discipline is open to work that encourages positive societal or political change. Design for Good Gold Cube winning entries are eligible for the Designism award. The top scoring Gold Cube winning entries across all Design for Good categories — as selected by their respective juries — will be brought together to be judged across all juries as a whole. The best entry will be awarded the ADC Designism Cube.

As the name implies, the discipline focuses on creations that must be experienced rather than simply observed. From elaborate exhibitions to installations, from wayfaring to placemaking, and even digital experiences, this discipline immerses its audiences in a sensory adventure.

With the goal of promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in both agency/production company staffing and the work itself, the Fusion Cube celebrates great work which also demonstrates how underrepresented groups and DEI issues are utilized both "behind the scenes" – hiring diverse staff, ensuring equal opportunity, pay and treatment – and in the creative work, as expressed through casting, language, script and narrative.

This discipline highlights the art and craft of motion graphics, animation and visual effects of video game design, as well as craftsmanship in game marketing.
NOTE: No special equipment will be used for judging. Download links may be provided, but judges are not required to use them. The judging media must showcase the game.

Health / Wellness recognizes work that focuses on the advertising and marketing of health and wellness products or services.

This discipline focuses on the art and craft of illustration across a myriad of mediums and specialties.

This discipline focuses on the ever-evolving world of digital and interactive communication, from websites and mobile apps to social media and virtual reality.

This discipline focuses on design and craftsmanship in magazines, newspapers and digital publications.

This discipline focuses on the conception and creation of boxes, bottles, bags and other containers in which products are displayed and sold.

Pharma recognizes work that focuses on the advertising and marketing of pharmaceutical products or services.

This discipline focuses on the art of film and digital photography across a myriad of specialties.

This discipline focuses on the conception and creation of various mass-produced products, from household goods to automobiles.

This year’s awards will include the presentation of the Paul Manship Medal.  Initially known as the Manship Medallion, the accolade was the original ADC competition award created by famed sculptor Paul Manship (1885-1966), best-known for his monumental gilded rendering of Prometheus, permanently installed at the heart of Rockefeller Center.  The Paul Manship Medal has now been reimagined as an enterable category, recognizing a single advertising or design creative professional who best acts as a catalyst for change, demonstrates foresight and innovation, embodies a lasting legacy, and made the most significant contribution in the past year.

This discipline focuses on the creation and application of letterforms, including typefaces, calligraphy and hand-lettering.