Organizer

Communication Arts magazine

Location

Global (Online competition)

Deadline

• Regular Deadline: January 09, 2026
• Late Entry Deadline: January 23, 2026 (requires a late fee of $10 per entry)

Competition Category The competition recognizes outstanding illustration work in categories including :

• Advertising (e.g., ads, posters, product packaging)
• Books (e.g., covers, interiors)
• Editorial (e.g., magazines, newspapers)
• For Sale (e.g., posters, greeting cards, gallery sale)
• Institutional (e.g., company publications, annual reports)
• Motion/Animation
• Self-Promotion
• Unpublished
• Student Work

Eligibility Unlimited (Any illustration first published or produced from January 2025 through January 2026 is eligible) .

• A dedicated category for Student Work is available .
• AI text-to-image generated submissions will not be accepted in this competition .

Entry Fee

Paid .

• Professional: Ranges from $$to\; \$$180 .
• Student Work: Ranges from $20 to $90.

• Entries submitted after January 9, 2026, require a late fee of $10 per entry .

Prizes/Awards

• There is no cash prize .
• Each winning entrant will receive a personalized Award of Excellence, milled from solid aluminum .
• Award certificates are issued for firms, individuals, and clients .
• Winning entries are distributed worldwide in the Communication Arts Illustration Annual, in print and digital editions, and on commarts.com, assuring important exposure .

Core Introduction

The Communication Arts Illustration Competition is the most prestigious competition for creativity in illustration, honoring talented illustrators from around the world . Winning entries are selected by an international jury of distinguished designers, art directors, and illustrators . Being chosen is one of the most-coveted awards in the industry, placing winners in the highest ranks of their profession .