How to Enter | Fees and Categories 

FAQ
If you have questions about the A-Awards competition, please consult our FAQ below. If your issue is not addressed here, contact us at gala@aigakc.org with a detailed description and, if applicable, include screenshots.

Eligibility & Submissions
Q. What work is eligible for submission this year? 
A. All entries must have been published/produced after January 2024. Work submitted in a previous A-Awards competition is not eligible unless it has undergone significant design or content changes.

Q. What qualifies as “significant changes”?
A. To be eligible, a previously submitted project must show meaningful transformation in one or more of the following areas:

• A complete redesign or rebrand
• Major updates to creative concept, content, or messaging
• Significant structural or functional changes (for digital, publication, or product design)
• A new version intended for a different use, audience, or platform

Cosmetic updates—such as minor revisions, color adjustments, or typographic changes—do not qualify as significant.

If you're unsure whether your resubmission qualifies, please reach out to gala@aigakc.org with details about the changes.

Q: Who is Eligible to Submit?
A: AIGA KC’s Annual Design Awards is open to the following individuals:

• Creative professionals currently residing in Missouri or Kansas.
• Remote creative professionals whose primary employer or studio is based in Missouri or Kansas.
• Students currently enrolled at a college or university located within Missouri or Kansas.

If you have questions about your eligibility, please contact us at gala@aigakc.org for clarification.

Q: What are the entry groups, and how do they work?
A: Entries are divided into three groups: Agency, Freelance/In-House, and Student. This structure allows work to be judged within its appropriate context, ensuring fair comparisons. Agency work includes submissions from only agencies, Freelance/In-House refers to work created within freelancers, organizations, or companies, and Student entries are submitted by current design students. Each group is evaluated independently, with all categories available across the groups.

Q: What updates have been made to the judging rules and process this year?
A: Updates (in 2025) focused on creating a more competitive and equitable process. We’ve added a structured two-round judging system, introduced weighted scoring for greater consistency, and clarified criteria to guide objective evaluation. Additionally, only the top 10 entries per category advance for Best in Class consideration, ensuring this prestigious distinction highlights the most outstanding work. Tiebreaking procedures have also been refined to promote fairness across all categories.

Q: Can I submit multiple images for a single entry?
A: Yes. Each entry may include up to five visual components, but our submission platform only allows for one file upload. To showcase multiple elements, we recommend submitting a composite image or a collage layout that visually represents the full body of work.

Judging & Awards
Q: What are the judging criteria?
A: Submissions are evaluated based on:

• Concept & Innovation: The originality and strength of the idea behind the work.
• Execution & Craft: The level of skill, detail, and professionalism in the final product.
• Clarity & Communication: How clearly the message or purpose is conveyed to its intended audience.
• Relevance & Impact: The work’s effectiveness, resonance, and significance within its category or community.

Q: What types of awards are given?
A: AIGA KC presents the following distinctions:

• Finalist Awards recognize outstanding work across all categories (max of Top 10 for each category).
• ‘Best in Class’ Distinction is reserved for top-tier entries that exemplify concept, craft, and impact excellence for each category. Based on the accumulation of judges' scores and/or ranking.
• Juror’s Choice Awards are hand-selected by each judge as a personal standout, regardless of category or format.

Registration & Account Access
Q: I can’t log in with my credentials from previous years. Why?
A: We've rebuilt our registration system to improve stability and functionality. As a result, all past user accounts have been archived. You will need to create a new account to submit entries.

Q: I'm an AIGA member, but my login isn’t working.
A: You may need to reset your password or create a new competition profile. If your email is already in use, it’s likely in the system from a previous event. To verify your AIGA membership, log into my.aiga.org.

Q: I’m receiving nonmember pricing even though I’m a member.
A: Please verify your membership by logging into my.aiga.org. Entry pricing is determined at the time of submission. If you update your membership status mid-process, log out and back in to refresh your account and reset pricing. For assistance, contact membership@aiga.org.

Pricing & Discounts
Q: Why am I still seeing nonmember prices after joining or renewing?
A: Membership status must be active before adding entries. To refresh your member settings:

• Save your work.
• Log out of both the competition system and my.aiga.org.
• Log back in. If the problem persists, contact membership@aiga.org—you may have a duplicate account that needs merging.

Q: Can anyone enter the competition, or is it members-only?
A: The A-Awards are open to both AIGA members and nonmembers. An AIGA account is required to submit, but membership is optional. Members receive discounted entry fees.

Editing & Entry Management
Q: Can I edit my submission after it's been entered?
A: Yes. You can edit any entry still in your cart under “My Entries.” Once payment is submitted and the entry is finalized, edits will no longer be possible.

Special Catagories
Q: What is the “Design for Good” category?
A: This category celebrates design that drives positive social, environmental, or community impact. Submissions can range from grassroots campaigns to large-scale public initiatives. Open to both students and professionals, and no case study is required for entry.

Technical Issues
Q: What should I do if I encounter a technical issue while uploading or registering?
A: Please take a screenshot and email a detailed description of the issue to gala@aigakc.org. Our team will respond promptly to assist.

If you still have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help make your A-Awards experience smooth and inspiring.