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
Blok Logo redesign for White Ribbon
February 3, 2026
Blok is a Toronto-based design studio collaborating with thinkers and creators from around the world on projects that blend cultural awareness, a love of art, and a belief in humanity to advance society and business alike. The studio works across dis ...
+ Read MoreHooked on Rage
February 2, 2026
By Aria Novosedlik As the expression of anger, rage is the most potent emotion of all. This isn’t a subjective statement; it can easily be proven through the use of an MRI machine and a willing participant. All you need to do is lay them down in ...
+ Read MoreDesign Army Takes Over Downtown DC
January 30, 2026
Multiple Applied Arts Design Awards–winning Washington, DC–based agency Design Army has launched a large-scale campaign for CityCenterDC, transforming the city’s largest fashion district into a bold, immersive creative experience—andreimagini ...
+ Read MoreTaking 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 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.