World Illustration Awards 2020 opens doors to comics and graphic novel entries

By John Freeman on January 9, 2020

The World Illustration Awards is open for entries until 18th February 2020 and this year has added an “Alternative Publishing” category, enabling entries from comic creators.

Presented by The Association of Illustrators (AOI) in partnership with US-based Directory of Illustration, the Awards build on the AOI’s 45-year tradition of competitions, and will be presented in a refreshed format for 2020. The Awards are open to professional and new talent illustrators living and working in any country.

“The Awards celebrate the global nature of illustration,” says Ren Renwick, CEO at The Association of Illustrators. “They are an extraordinary moment to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the most exciting work being made, to celebrate the illustrators behind the work, and to showcase the very best of the illustration industry.”

The World Illustration Awards 2020 will be judged across ten exciting, refreshed categories that represent the work being made in the industry today.

Celebrating exciting new forms of publishing for readers of any age, illustration in any book format can be entered into the new Alternative Publishing category, including zines, graphic novels, comics, artist books, handmade books and limited edition books.

New categories also include Book Covers, Science and Technology, and Design, Product and Packaging, and four Cross-Category Awards will also be presented this year, including a new Innovation Award, recognising work that truly pushes the boundaries of the art form.

“This new award recognises that innovation comes from all areas of the industry, allowing truly ground-breaking work in any arena to be celebrated,” notes Elizabeth Owen, President, Serbin Creative.

The WIA are recognised as the most prestigious illustration awards globally – but that doesn’t mean there aren’t great prizes as well. The Overall Winners will enjoy cash prizes totalling £3,000, sponsored by Winsor & Newton. Category Winners enjoy in-kind benefits, as well as the coveted WIA trophies.

All shortlisted entrants will also be presented in a digital and print publication sent to commissioners worldwide and available for sale.

New for 2020 the AOI will host a programme of talks and events alongside a new look showcase of all 200 shortlisted projects at one of London’s most exciting new venues, Elephant West, in White City.

“We know that illustrators travel around the world to come to the awards,” says Ren Renwick, “and we wanted to create a space for illustrators, agents and commissioners to meet, share ideas, approaches – to explore our industry in a relaxed, informal setting.”

• Applications can be made via the online form on the AOI website. More information and guidance can be found here: theaoi.com/world-illustration-awards

• Social Media Competition Hashtags: #WIA2020 and #WorldIllustrationAwards

• Association of Illustrators on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

• The Directory of Illustration Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.