TDC Awards

CHOOSING A DISCIPLINE

The TDC Competition is divided into three categories: Communication Design, Lettering, and Type Design. Click the tabs below to explore which category best suits your creative work.

CHOOSING A CATEGORY

No matter which category you choose, the judges will review all entries. If you're unsure about which category to select, don't worry. Just make your best guess, and we promise to review your work.

BEFORE CREATING AN ENTRY

Please go to MY ACCOUNT / MANAGE ENTRIES, and, MY ACCOUNT MANAGE CREDITS to create a library of content first. This will streamline the entry process. If desired, you can group content per entry to make it easier to find.

THUMBNAILS

TIP: If you upload your promotional materials first the system will automatically create a thumbnail.

Communication Design

The Communication Design discipline is for any creation that uses type, lettering, or written language—be it print design, digital design, immersive experiences, architecture, fashion, film titles, social media campaigns, or otherwise. Entries can contain any kind of design element, but the dominant element of the design should be typographic.

Physical Submissions

Physical entries will accepted in the following categories (Posters, Packaging, and Publications)

Physical submissions must be mailed no later than March 6, 2026 to the following address:
The One Club for Creativity; ATTN: TDC72 Annual Awards; 450 West 31st Street 6th Floor; New York, NY 10001 USA

Communication Design

Motion

CD-01A
Motion - Kinetic Typography

A project(s) featuring Moving/Animated Typography.

CD-01B
Motion - Animated Posters

Interactive, online, or mobile-based typographic Poster(s) that explore new techniques, devices, or methods in implementation that push the discipline forward.

CD-01C
Motion - Credits or Titles

A film title identity and Credits for a single television show, film, streaming, or online broadcast using typography.

CD-01D
Motion - Film / Movie / TV

Video(s) or Film(s) that can be screened in movie theaters, on television, or through streaming services that use typography as a primary feature.

CD-01E
Motion - Music Video

A single or series of Music Video(s) featuring a performance of a song or music that uses typography as a primary feature.

CD-01F
Motion - Closed Captions / Subtitles

A single or series of design(s) with a unique use of the letterforms in Closed Captions / Subtitles to communicate with the audience for a single television, film, streaming, or online broadcast.

Communication Design

Digital / Technology

CD-02A
Digital / Technology - Website / Microsite

A single or series of dedicated Microsite(s) or website design(s) using typography.

CD-02B
Digital / Technology - Software / App

A single or series of layout(s) and demonstration(s) of functionality of a single or series of related Software and/or App designs using typography.

CD-02C
Digital / Technology - Augmented Reality

Design of a Virtual, Mixed, or Augmented Reality experience using typography.

CD-02D
Digital / Technology - Virtual Reality

An overall layout and demonstration of functionality of a single or a series of related virtual reality designs using typography.

CD-02E
Digital / Technology - Social Media

A single or series of Social Media post(s) utilizing typography in reels, stories, live-streams, full-length videos, etc., for use on a social media or streaming platform.

CD-02F
Digital / Technology - Game Design

Design for video game(s). Includes character concept, style, digital artwork, and uses typography as a major feature.

CD-02G
Digital / Technology - Wearable Tech

Apparel combined with technology, designed using typography. This could be obvious items like watches, or items that integrate technology (and type) in innovative new ways.

CD-02H
Digital / Technology - Conversational Design

Design for conversational interfaces, such as human-like chatbots and voice assistants, using dialogues, mapping user flows, where a critical element is typography.

Communication Design

Print or Digital

CD-03A
Print or Digital - Instructional Design / Forms / Information Design

An overall layout and demonstration of functionality of a single Instructional Design / Form / Information Design

CD-03B
Print or Digital - Infographics / Maps

A single Infographic / Map design using typography.

CD-03C
Print or Digital - Menu / Index / Listing

A single layout of a Menu, Index, or Listing design using typography.

CD-03D
Print or Digital - Clock / Calendar

The use of typography in the creation of clocks and calendars.

CD-03E
Print or Digital - Street Advertising

An outdoor advertisement using typography.

CD-03F
Print or Digital - Invitations / Announcements / Cards

Print or digital designs using typography.

CD-03G
Print or Digital - Presentation Design

A single piece or series of visual communications / presentations using typography.

CD-03H
Print or Digital - Logotype / Monogram

A design that identifies a company or product while also communicating the brand using typography.

CD-03I
Print or Digital - Brand Identity System

A system of design elements that creates a visual identity for an organization or company using typography.

Communication Design

Print

CD-04A
Print - Poster

A single or series of poster(s) used for the promotion of a single brand, product, or event. Select single or series in the dropdown menu.

CD-04B
Print - Printed Ephemera / Cards / Stickers

A printed design item using typography

CD-04C
Print - Packaging Design

Conception and creation of a box, bottle, bag, label, or other containers in which products are displayed, with typography used as a dominant element.

Communication Design

Publication / Editorial

CD-05A
Publication / Editorial - Book / Magazine Cover

A single Book or Magazine Cover Design for a publication, with typography used as a dominant element. May include digital publications.

CD-05B
Publication / Editorial - Editorial / Catalog / Magazine

A single design for a complete magazine, newspaper, or digital publication with typography used as a dominant element

CD-05C
Publication / Editorial - Book

Complete Book Design for a single publication. Submitted elements may include book covers, book interiors, magazines, newspapers, or digital publications, with typography used as a dominant element

CD-05D
Publication / Editorial - E-Book / PDF

Complete Book Design for a single ebook publication, with typography used as a dominant element. Submitted images can include cover and interior elements.

Communication Design

Industrial / Wearable Design

CD-06A
Industrial / Wearable Design - Fabric - Printed

A single design using typography printed on fabric or related materials.

CD-06B
Industrial / Wearable Design - Fabric Loom / Jaquard / Embroidery

A single design using typography with Fabric Loom / Jacquard / Embroidery techniques.

CD-06C
Industrial / Wearable Design - Housewares

A single houseware item incorporating typography or typographic forms in a significant way.

CD-06D
Industrial / Wearable Design - Jewelry / Accessories

Design of a single piece of jewelry or accessory. May include handbags, hats, belts, etc., using typography.

Communication Design

Environmental Design

CD-07A
Environmental Design - Installation / Environmental Design

The significant incorporation of typography in a building design, landscape architecture and design, interior design, service design, certain areas of public art, and more.

CD-07B
Environmental Design - Interactive / Experiential Design

The incorporation of typography in an experiential way within a building design, landscape architecture and design, interior design, service design, certain areas of public art, and more.

CD-07C
Environmental Design - Signage / Wayfinding

A single informational system that guides people through a physical environment with typography used as a dominant element

Communication Design

Other

CD-08A
Other - Non-traditional Media

A single design using unconventional and innovative marketing channels that reach audiences beyond traditional methods, with typography used as a dominant element

CD-08B
Other

This category contains anything different that is not covered by any of the other categories but uses typography as a major element.

Lettering

The Lettering discipline is for work where the letters are either modified or created—this could entail traditional or abstract calligraphy, tattoos, wordmarks and custom logotypes, or typefaces that are just a little too out there to be classic typeface design.

Lettering

Motion

LT-01A
Motion - Kinetic Typography

A single or series of interactive, online, or mobile-based design work(s) that employs active or animated lettering. Kinetic typography is a design technique that involves animating text to make it visually engaging and dynamic. Items in the series should be related.

LT-01B
Motion - Animated Posters

A single or series of interactive, online, or mobile-based lettering design(s) that explores the possibilities of motion and expands the traditional form of a poster.Items in the series should be related.

LT-01C
Motion - Credits or Titles

Design(s) of an identity and credits for a single television, film, streaming, or online broadcast using Lettering. Items in the series should be of the same brand/product/artist.

LT-01D
Motion - Film / Movie / TV

A single or series of Film(s) or Video(s) that can be screened in movie theaters, on television, or through streaming services, using lettering as a primary component.Items in the series should be related.

LT-01E
Motion - Music Video

A single or series of Music Video(s) using lettering as a primary component. Items in the series should be related.

Lettering

Digital / Technology

LT-02A
Digital / Technology - Website / Microsite - Static

A single or series of dedicated microsite(s) or website(s) design using lettering as a primary component. Items in the series should be related.

LT-02B
Digital / Technology - Website / Microsite - Responsive

A single or series of dedicated microsite(s) or website design(s0 using lettering. Items in the series should be related.

LT-02C
Digital / Technology - Software / App

Overall layout and functionality of a single software or series of related software and/or app designs using lettering as a primary component. Items in the series should be related.

LT-02D
Digital / Technology - Augmented Reality

Design of virtual, mixed, or augmented reality experience using Lettering as a primary component. Items in the series should be related.

LT-02E
Digital / Technology - Virtual Reality

Design of a virtual reality experience (single or series) with Lettering used as a dominant element. Items in the series should be related.

LT-02F
Digital / Technology - Social Media

A single or related series of Social Media post(s) utilizing lettering in reels, stories, live-streams, full-length videos, etc., for use on a social media or streaming platform. Items in the series should be of the same brand/product/artist. Items in the series should be related.

LT-02G
Digital / Technology - Game Design

Design for a single video game, that includes Lettering as a major component. Includes character concept, style, digital artwork and lettering. Items in the series should be related.

LT-02H
Digital / Technology - Wearable Tech

Fabric and apparel designed using lettering. Items in the series should be related.

LT-02I
Digital / Technology - NFT

A single or series of piece(s) of art, digital content, or video that has been tokenized via a blockchain and features lettering as the primary component. An NFT, or non-fungible token, is a unique digital asset that represents ownership of something, typically digital items like art, music, videos, or other creations that feature lettering as a primary component. Items in the series should be related.

LT-02J
Digital / Technology - Artificial Intelligence

A single or series of lettering project(s) or design(s) that employs the use of Artificial intelligence as part of the design process. Items in the series should be related.

LT-02K
Digital / Technology - Coding / Scripting

A single or series of design(s) using coding or scripts to create specific motion, effects, or unique visual results that feature lettering. Items in the series should be related.

LT-02L
Digital / Technology - Distortion (Analog or Digital)

A single or series of design(s) using analog or digital experiments or techniques to create unique distortions or effects with lettering. Items in the series should be related.

Lettering

Print or Digital

LT-03A
Print or Digital - Infographics / Maps

A single or series of layout(s) and design(s) of Infographic(s) or map(s) where a primary component is lettering. Items in the series should be related.

LT-03B
Print or Digital - Menu / Index / Listing

A single of series of layout(s) and design(s) of a Menu(s) / Index(s) / Listing(s) where a primary component is lettering. Items in the series should be related.

LT-03C
Print or Digital - Clock / Calendar

The use of lettering in the creation of clocks and calendars. Items in the series should be related.

LT-03D
Print or Digital - Street Advertising

A single or series of related outdoor advertisement(s) where a primary component is lettering. Items in the series should be of the same brand/product/artist.

LT-03E
Print or Digital - Invitations / Announcements / Cards

A single or series of print(s) or digital Invitation(s) / Announcement(s) / Card design(s) where a primary component is lettering. Items in the series should be of the same brand/product/artist.

LT-03F
Print or Digital - Presentation Design

Craft in a single or series of visual communications using lettering Items in the series should be related.

LT-03G
Print or Digital - Logotype / Monogram

A single or series of Logotype(s) or Monogram(s) that identifies a company or product while also communicating the brand, using lettering as the primary element. Items in the series should be of the same brand/product/artist.

LT-03H
Print or Digital - 36 Days of Type

36 Days of Lettering is a project that invites designers, lettering artists, and illustrators to express their unique interpretation of the letters and numerals of the Latin alphabet. Entries must include a complete custom set of lettering that features 26 letters and 10 numerals. Letterforms do not necessarily need to be in the same style. Items in the series should be related.

LT-03I
Print or Digital - Calligraphy

A single piece or series of pieces of lettering using calligraphy. Calligraphy is the art of producing decorative handwriting or lettering with a pen or brush, or other tools. Items in the series should be related. Items in the series should be related.

LT-03J
Print or Digital - Analog Typesetting (Letterpress, Xerox)

A typographic layout or series of layouts that employ analog methods of typesetting, such as photocopying, cut and paste, dry transfer, wood or metal letterpress type, or other techniques. Items in the series should be related.

LT-03K
Print or Digital - Airbrush

A single piece of lettering using airbrush as the primary tool. Airbrushing art is a technique that uses an airbrush tool to spray paint or ink onto a surface, creating smooth and gradual color transitions, intricate details, and a professional finish.

Lettering

Print

LT-04A
Print - Posters

A single poster or series of posters used for the promotion of a brand, product, or event, and featuring lettering as the primary design element. Items in the series should be related.

LT-04B
Print - Printed Ephemera

A printed item or series of items of any kind that uses lettering as a primary element. Items in the series should be related.

LT-04C
Print - Packaging Design

A design or series of designs for boxes, bottles, bags, and other containers in which products are displayed, and uses lettering as a primary component in the design. Items in the series should be related.

Lettering

Publication / Editorial

LT-05A
Publication / Editorial - Book / Magazine Cover

Lettering use and design in any type of single publication or series of publications. May include book covers, book interiors, magazines, newspapers or digital publications. Items submitted as a series should be related.

LT-05B
Publication / Editorial - Editorial / Catalog / Magazine

Lettering used as a primary design element for a single or series of book(s), magazine(s), newspaper(s), or digital publication(s). Items submitted as a series should be related.

LT-05C
Publication / Editorial - E-Book / PDF

Lettering used as a primary element for a single eBook or series of ebooks. Items submitted as a series should be related.

Lettering

Industrial / Wearable Design

LT-06A
Industrial / Wearable Design - Fabric - Printed

Overall layout and functionality of a single fabric project or series of related fabric projects using lettering. Items submitted as a series should be related.

LT-06B
Industrial / Wearable Design - Fabric Loom / Jaquard / Embroidery

Lettering used as a primary design element in a single item or series of items of Fabric Loom / Jacquard / Embroidery. Items submitted as a series should be related.

LT-06C
Industrial / Wearable Design - Housewares

Lettering used as a primary visual element in a single item or series of items of housewares, such as kitchen utensils, tableware, and decorative objects. Items submitted as a series should be related.

LT-06D
Industrial / Wearable Design - Jewelry / Accessories

Lettering used as a primary element in the design of a single piece or series of pieces of jewelry or accessories. May include handbags, hats, belts, etc. Items submitted as a series should be related.

Lettering

Tattoo / Body Art

LT-07A
Tattoo / Body Art - Tattoo

A single tattoo or series of tattoos of permanent body art using lettering. Items submitted as a series should be related.

Lettering

Environmental Design

LT-08A
Environmental Design - Road Painting / Sky Writing / Custom Machinery

The a single or series of use(s) of lettering to create road painting, sky writing and custom machinery. Items submitted as a series should be related.

LT-08B
Environmental Design - Material Manipulation (Metalsmithing, Neon Tubing)

A single or series of use(s) of lettering on metal and neon tubing. Items submitted as a series should be related.

LT-08C
Environmental Design - Installation / Environmental Design

A single use of Lettering or a series of uses of Lettering that is (are) a significant design element in design specializations such as building design, landscape architecture and design, interior design, service design, certain areas of public art, and more. Items submitted as a series should be related.

LT-08D
Environmental Design - Interactive / Experiential Design

A single use of Lettering or sereis of uses of lettering that is (are) a significant design element in an Experiential design spaces, products, or events that create meaningful, memorable, and multi-sensory journeys.

LT-08E
Environmental Design - Signage / Wayfinding

An informational system that guides people through a physical environment using lettering. Items submitted as a series should be related.

LT-08F
Environmental Design - Sign Painting

Lettering used in the creation of a sign or series of signs. Items submitted as a series should be related.

LT-08G
Environmental Design - Mural

A painting or series of paintings or other work(s) of art executed directly on a wall using lettering. Items submitted as a series should be related.

LT-08H
Environmental Design - Anamorphic Typography

A single or series of anamorphic typographic objects that creates 3D typography using 2D methods. Items submitted as a series should be related.

LT-08I
Environmental Design - Graffiti

Lettering or drawing, or series of lettering and drawnings scribbled, scratched, or sprayed on a wall or other surface in a public place. Items submitted as a series should be related.

Lettering

Other

LT-09A
Other

This category contains anything different and is not covered by any if the other categories but uses typography. Single projects are single items. Series are a group of related items numbering more than one.

Type Design

The Type Design discipline is for entries showcasing the design of workable font software; this could mean single typefaces, type families, emoji or symbol fonts, or software for generating and creating type.

NOTE: The name of the designer and typeface must not appear in the submission images / PDFs.

Recommended Entry Materials
To help the judge better assess your work we recommend including the following demonstrations of content:

One black and white PDF (high-res vector-based) showing the complete character set of every weight, style, and writing system included in your entry. This is REQUIRED and allows the judges to analyze the drawing quality of the letterforms and the degree of detail in your entry.

This is THE MOST IMPORTANT part of the submission. If you have multiple styles, weights, or writing systems, include the complete character set for each script, weight, and style. The PDF can be multi-page. (Required)
One slide showing style/weight variations (if any exist)
For text faces: One slide with text samples to demonstrate spacing/color/texture on the page (Required)
Type in Use - Remember that the black and white PDF is where the jury will truly consider you work. DO NOT just submit the type specimens you created for marketing purposes. The jury is highly knowledgeable and specialized. You do not need to "sell" them your typeface. That said, you can use some of the remaining slides to demonstrate how you imagine your type being used in real life.

These slides can highlight key features and show possible contexts in which the type might be used (e.g., Editorial, packaging, fashion, UI/UX signage, text, etc.) The samples need not be realistic facsimiles of authentic designs or products. However, they should provide perspective on the possible ways the typeface(s) might be used.

REMINDER: To keep entries anonymous, the typeface name, foundry name, and designer name(s) may NOT appear on any of the sample images.

Type Design

Text + Display Typefaces

TD-01
Text + Display Typefaces - Single Style Typeface

Typefaces supporting any one or more language(s) in one single style.

TD-02
Text + Display Typefaces - Single Axis Type Family

Type families that contain two or more fonts that vary along a single axis. Typically they would differ in one attribute such as weight, width, slope, optical size, or any other parameter. Pairs of 1 roman + 1 italic in a single weight also qualify for this category.

TD-03
Text + Display Typefaces - Multiple Axis Type Family

Type families that contain several styles that vary along two or more axes — such as weight and width, or weight and slope (multiple weights with italics), or any combination of two or more parameters. This may be presented as multiple individual weights and/or as a variable font.

TD-04
Text + Display Typefaces - Superfamily

Large and/or more loosely related type families that contain any number of separate styles — which respond to different design concepts, rather than being entirely controlled by axes that vary individual design parameters. This may be presented as multiple individual weights and/or as a variable font.

TD-05
Text + Display Typefaces - Variable Font

A type family presented as a single* variable font containing a continuous range of styles along one or more interpolation axes. (*Separate font files for romans and italics are permissible.) It is also acceptable to enter Variable fonts that represent type families under those categories.)

Type Design

Specialized Typefaces + Non-standard Formats

TD-06
Specialized Typefaces + Non-standard Formats - Color Font

Typefaces that move beyond the default black/white contrast to include color information within the font.

TD-07
Specialized Typefaces + Non-standard Formats - 3-Dimensional Typeface

Typefaces presented as three-dimensional shapes.

TD-08
Specialized Typefaces + Non-standard Formats - Emoji / Symbol Typeface

Typefaces whose design is mainly focused on symbols or emoji rather than human language.

TD-09
Specialized Typefaces + Non-standard Formats - Software - Other

Typefaces presented in nonstandard or experimental technological formats other than typical font files.

Disciplines & Categories

Communication Design

Lettering

Type Design