Wisdom & Virtue

LONDON, Today: D&AD has announced plans for a virtual ceremony to celebrate the 2020 D&AD Pencil winners. Taking place on Thursday 10 September (at 6pm BST; 5am NZ time) and designed by Studio Dumbar, the ceremony will spotlight winning work from the past year in place of the physical ceremony.

With the final design categories to be announced, the celebration will also unveil the Black Pencil winners, President’s Award and rankings. 

The ceremony will be presented by D&AD president Kate Stanners and live streamed via the D&AD website. A full schedule will be announced shortly. 

The D&AD Awards Ceremony will feature the Graphite and Yellow Pencil winning work across each of the 37 categories, including Book Design, Graphic Design, Magazine & Newspaper Design and Packaging Design, which were delayed due to the critical nature of in-person judging.  

“In some years, no Black Pencils – the highest creative accolade – are awarded. The highest ever in one year is seven.”

Kate Stanners said: “The impact of the coronavirus has been hard-felt across the entire creative industries, in particular events-based organisations such as D&AD.

“Being unable to celebrate the outstanding creative talent exemplified by this year’s winners felt like a disservice to the industry.

“We hope that the D&AD virtual ceremony will provide a platform to honour and commend the 2020 winners during a time when the power of creative thinking deserves more recognition than ever.”

By showcasing the highest level of creative excellence, alongside celebrating the legacy of the Black Pencils, we also hope to create a space that stimulates and inspires the future generation of creative practitioners.”

In some years, no Black Pencils – the highest creative accolade – are awarded. The highest ever awarded in one year currently stands at seven.

Key Dates

• 2 September: Book Design, Graphic Design, Magazine & Newspaper Design, and Packaging Design Shortlists
• 10 September: Book Design, Graphic Design, Magazine & Newspaper Design, and Packaging Design Pencils, Black Pencil, President’s Award, and Rankings.
• Virtual Awards ceremony: 10 September.

More here