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A20 Design Awards Competition
AIGA KC Annual Design Awards Celebrating Creativity in the Greater Kansas City Area
| Enter Now! | AIGA Kansas City |
When the call for entries open, click Enter Now. You will then be directed to the AIGA login page to begin. Don’t have an AIGA account? Create one now—setting up an account is free through my.aiga.org.
Bonus: AIGA members enjoy discounts on entry fees! Join first to take advantage of this benefit! Learn more.
Please review the rules and guidelines for entry submission below. Good luck!
How to Enter
Full entry guidelines and online registration are available on this site. Upon registration and online payment, each project is assigned a project code. The project code allows entries to be tracked throughout the judging process and maintains the anonymity of the submitter. All entries will be judged on-screen via uploaded files or URL.
Please submit entries created during or after January 2024. It is recommended that each entry be submitted into a single category that fits most accurately with the entry in terms of its purpose. However, you may choose to enter the same piece in more than one category. Please be aware that you'll be required to pay a separate fee for submitting to each category, even if the entry is the same. Ultimately, the entry is eligible to win an award in only one category. Judges retain the right to reclassify entries from one category to another.
Please be aware that you must pay a separate fee to submit to each category, even if the entry is the same. Ultimately, the entry can win an award in only one category. Judges reserve the right to reclassify entries to a more appropriate category if necessary. No additional entry fee will be incurred if the committee moves an entry to a different category.
*NOTE*
Entries are 100% digital uploads this year. No need to drop off submissions for judging. Please double-check your spelling and submission information as this will be used in our final catalog.
Guidelines for Submissions
We suggest work be formatted in 16:9 ratio (ex:1920x1080) for best viewing on the judging platform. While not required, this can help our judges easily see your work. Each submission may include 5 boards, and multiple images may be placed on each board.
We added a “project summary” text field to each submission which allows you to provide a SHORT description of the project. This is to provide our judges any pertinent context. This project summary will not be published in our catalog or on social media.
Digital entries should be submitted by entering a URL through our online registration system. Digital work submitted without a functioning URL for review will not be judged. Any submitted URL must be public and non-password protected.
For mobile apps and games, please submit a video demonstration of the app or game in use.
Eligibility
All entries must have been published/produced after January 2024. The same project cannot be entered into the awards two years in a row unless it has undergone significant content and design changes.
Deadlines
Super Early Bird Entry Deadline: Friday, April 25, 2025, 11:59 p.m. CT (discount opportunity)
Early Bird Entry Deadline: Friday, May 9, 2025, 11:59 p.m. CT (discount opportunity)
General Entry Deadline: Friday, June 13, 2025, 11:59 p.m. CT
Late Entries Entry Deadline: Friday, June 20, 2025, 11:59 pm CT (late fees apply)
Final Call Entry Deadline: Friday, June 27, 2025, 11:59 pm CT (additional late fees apply)
Payment: Online via Credit Card Only
Entries may only be paid by credit card through the online registration system. No checks will be accepted. We are sorry for any inconvenience.
Secure Payment Assurance
Your payment security is important to us. All transactions for the AIGA KC A-Design Awards are processed through a secure, encrypted payment system to ensure that your personal and financial information remains protected. We do not store any sensitive payment data on our servers. If you encounter any issues or have questions about your transaction, please contact us at gala@aigakc.org
Refund Policy
Due to the nature of the competition and the evaluation process, refunds are unavailable once a submission has been completed. Participants may log into their accounts to review submitted entries. For assistance with edits or questions regarding the submission process, please contact gala@kansascity.aiga.org.
AIGA Member Discount
AIGA members receive a significant discount on competition entry fees. Membership offers valuable benefits, increased community engagement, and supports the broader design profession. Not a member yet? Join today to take advangate of these opportunities.
Reproduction Permission
Entrants submitting work to the AIGA KC Design Competition & Exhibition acknowledge the right of AIGA Kansas City to use accepted work for reproduction on our website, on printed materials relating to the awards and for AIGA Kansas City non-profit, educational and promotional purposes. Entrants acknowledge AIGA Kansas City’s right to display their work in exhibitions, and the right to use it for any non-commercial purpose and with appropriate attribution as to its creator and/or source. Entrants also acknowledge that selected work may be chosen to become part of a design library archives at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
Winning Entries
Winning entries will be honored at AIGA KC’s Annual Design Awards & Gala, traditionally held in late summer or early fall (e.g., September) of the competition year. Selected work will also be featured in the official exhibition catalog and showcased on the AIGA KC Awards website.
All finalists will be notified in advance that their entry has been selected for recognition.
Entrants whose work does not advance to the final round are still encouraged to attend the Awards Gala. The event is a celebration of regional creative excellence and an exceptional opportunity to network, connect, and gain insight into the standout work chosen by our nationally recognized judging committee.
Notifications & Updates
Notification emails regarding submission status and details about the Awards Ceremony will be sent during the summer of the competition year to the email address provided on the entry form. Entrants are responsible for ensuring continued access to this email account. For additional updates throughout the awards season, follow AIGA KC on our official social media channels.
Questions or Additional Information
For more information or answers to common questions, please visit our FAQ page. For further assistance, feel free to contact us at gala@aigakc.org.
About AIGA
AIGA, the professional association for design, champions the vital role of design as a cultural, economic, and strategic force. With a national network of creative professionals, AIGA advocates for designers as communicators, educators, and innovators who shape our world. The organization is dedicated to advancing excellence in design through education, professional development, and community engagement, while setting the standard for the impact of design in business, society, and beyond.
About AIGA Kansas City
AIGA Kansas City is one of over 70 local chapters nationwide, serving as a vibrant hub for the region’s design community. Through events, mentorship, exhibitions, and initiatives like the AIGA KC Annual Design Awards, the chapter fosters connection, collaboration, and inspiration among designers of all disciplines. Committed to elevating design in the greater Kansas City area, AIGA KC creates space for dialogue, recognition, and the continued evolution of our creative community. Learn more at kc.aiga.org.
About AIGA Kansas City Annual Design Awards
The AIGA Kansas City Annual Design Awards, also known as the A-Awards, celebrate and elevate the region’s most exceptional creative work. As a premier design competition in the Greater Kansas City area, the A-Awards recognize outstanding achievements in visual communication, design thinking, and innovation across a wide range of disciplines—from branding and packaging to interactive design, illustration, and motion graphics.
Since 2005, the A-Awards have continued to serve as a benchmark of excellence for professionals, agencies, in-house teams, freelancers, and students. The competition is judged by a panel of nationally recognized industry leaders, ensuring a high standard of critique and validation.