For over 35 years, Applied Arts Media has been the go-to destination for creative advice, insight and inspiration. The Applied Arts Awards celebrate innovative creativity, and capture the current visual arts landscape in Canada and beyond.
Creative Excellence. Celebrated.
The Applied Arts celebrate creativity in visual communications. Since 1992, we've helped advertising agencies, design firms, photographers, illustrators, and emerging artists gain industry-wide exposure—building careers, collaborations, and community across Canada and beyond.
All Entries are judged by an Internationally recognized jury of award-winning professionals who are actively working in advertising and design.
Winning work is showcased: in Applied Arts magazine, online in the Winners Gallery and archive, and shared across social media.
Winning work is showcased in Applied Arts magazine, online Winners Gallery and archive and shared across our social channels.
Opportunities for every stage
- Young Professionals: Explore Young Blood categories—open to entrants with under five years of professional experience in advertising or design, and under three years for Photography and Illustration.
- Small-Community/Business Professionals: Exclusively for CANADIAN creators in smaller markets or single-establishments. Small Community categories weigh local resources and budgets during judging.
- Students: If you're currently in secondary, post-secondary or graduate studies, you're only eligible for the Student Awards, where entries are judged alongside peers at a similar level.
News
Taking the Pulse with Aditya Nosib
January 13, 2026
Aditya (Adi) Nosib is a creative and versatile visual development artist and character designer with a deep passion for visual storytelling. An Alumni of Seneca's Illustration program adds a Young Blood Illustration category win in the Applied Arts 2 ...
+ Read MoreArtist Spotlight: Cossette, Rodeo FX, and See Creature capture workplace stress
January 8, 2026
The multi-category-winning (MCW) animation Hanging by a Thread, created by Cossette with Rodeo FX and See Creature for the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST), captures the quiet unraveling of ...
+ Read MoreCostco VS The Mcdicktator
January 6, 2026
By Aria Novosedlik If there’s such a thing as capitalism with a human face, Costco is the brand that delivers it. But Costco’s not happy. So much so that it recently decided to defy the status quo and sue the Trump administration for its asin ...
+ Read MoreDesigners Deal a Hand for Homelessness This Christmas
December 20, 2025
London-based design agency Red Dot Studio has rallied a remarkable line-up of leading creatives to co-create a limited-edition deck of Christmas-themed playing cards. The project shines a spotlight on the spirit of giving, with all proceeds supportin ...
+ Read MoreCurrent Issue
Discover the standout work from the 2025 Advertising & Student Awards competitions! This year's winners showcase creative excellence across the industry—established advertising pros and emerging student artists alike—spanning advertising, design, interactive, and image-based work. Dive into more than 350 winning projects across 150+ pages of inspiration. Find yourself inspired? Explore the possibilities of a fulfilling career in the creative industries in the Creative Futures Schools guide.
Click here for more information about the issue or for a list of our stockists.