1362 entries have been shortlisted in this year’s D&AD Awards ahead of the winners announcements in two virtual ceremonies on May 25 and 26. Details are here.

There was an 18% increase in the number of entries of including 71% from the Middle East and India, 35% from Europe, 15% from the US and Canada, 14% from South East Asia, 12% from the UK and Ireland.

Now in its 60^th year, this year’s D&AD Awards flew with the banner, Be Part of More. As an education charity, entries enable D&AD to deliver its ambitious learning programmes that bridge the gap between education and industry, and support underrepresented talent to develop their skills and their network.

The 2022 Awards introduced the Upstream Innovation subcategories, awarding those rethinking products and services to fit within a circular system; Responsible Ideas, to champion work mindful of people and planet; dedicated subcategories for AR, VR and MR work as well as Use of XR to recognise work that is reimagining how brands interact with consumers; and subcategories under Health & Wellbeing for those innovating in the field of health, wellness, fitness and nutrition.

The top-ranking countries by number of shortlisted entries are: 

• United States: 400
• United Kingdom: 273
• France: 113
• Germany:  85
• Brazil: 62 
• Australia: 56
• China: 48
• Japan: 45
• Canada: 44
• India: 37

The top 5 ranking entrant companies by number of shortlisted entries are:

• Ogilvy UK: 25
• TBWA\Paris: 22
• Area 23, An IPG Health Company: 20
• BETC Paris: 19
• adam&eveDDB: 18

• Howatson+Company leads Australia with 12 finalists, 10 for Matilda Bay Rejected Ales, 1 for Belong Book of Limbo and 1 for Belong It Feels Good to Belong.

Clemenger BBDO Melbourne, M&C Saatchi Sydney, DDB Group Australia and The Glue Society and FINCH have 5 five finalists each.

• Clemenger BBDO Melbourne has 4 for VB Solar Exchange and 1 for Tobacco Free Portfolios If You Invest In It, You Own It
• M&C Saatchi Sydney has 3 three for Minderoo Foundation Thrive by Five, 1 for Big W Craft, Camera, Action! and 1 for BWS Insta Pour
• DDB Group Australia has 5 for Volkswagen The Ad Break Championship – GTI Hijack
• The Glue Society has 2 for Suncorp One House to Save Many, 1 for Hope Reef and 1 for Samsung Electronics Australia Performance Enhancing Music
• FINCH has 3 for Minderoo Foundation Thrive by Five and 2 for NRMA Insurance A Fire Inside.

The total number of Entries shortlisted in each category are:

• Animation –  30 Entries
• Art Direction – 31 Entries
• Book Design – 37 Entries
• Branding – 67 Entries
• Casting – 45 Entries
• Cinematography – 21 Entries
• Creative Transformation – 11 Entries
• Digital – 86 Entries
• Digital Design – 27 Entries
• Direct – 48 Entries
• Direction – 45 Entries 
• E-Commerce – 21 Entries
• Editing – 22 Entries 
• Entertainment – 62 Entries
• Experiential – 53 Entries
• Film – 77 Entries
• Future Impact – 6 Entries
• Gaming – 14 Entries
• Graphic Design – 50 Entries
• Illustration – 36 Entries 
• Impact – 49 Entries
• Integrated – 17 Entries
• Magazine & Newspaper Design – 26 Entries
• Media – 51 Entries
• Music Videos – 18 Entries
• Packaging Design – 48 Entries
• Photography – 17 Entries
• PR – 60 Entries
• Press & Outdoor – 55 Entries
• Product Design – 34 Entries
• Production Design – 20 Entries
• Radio & Audio – 17 Entries
• Side Hustle – 7 Entries
• Sound Design & Use of Music – 31 Entries
• Spatial Design – 21 Entries
• Type Design – 9  Entries 
• Typography – 16 Entries
• Visual Effects – 26 Entries
• Writing for Advertising – 30 Entries
• Writing for Design – 21 Entries

All 1362 shortlisted pieces are viewable on the D&AD website.

Dara Lynch, chief operating officer at D&AD, commented, “Over the last 60 years, D&AD Awards have gone on to be recognised as the ultimate creative accolade with one of the most rigorous judging processes that holds creativity to the highest possible standard. This year we have seen record entry figures that reflect the exceptional resolve of our industry and the belief that great creative work can create better outcomes for all. As a non-profit education charity, Awards entries fund our learning programmes, enabling D&AD to work towards a fairer and more sustainable future. This year, we not only celebrate the best creative work created from the past year but also the contribution that every entrant makes towards skills development and supporting underrepresented talent reflected in our manifesto, ‘Be Part of More’. We now look forward to the Awards ceremony on the 25th and 26th of May, when we will be able to reveal work which has received a coveted D&AD Pencil.” 

Donal Keenan, awards director at D&AD, added, “I can speak on behalf of the over 400 Judges involved in this year’s Awards judging process that the task of selecting entries for the shortlists was no easy feat. We were all positively surprised not only with the increased amount of creative work that has been submitted worldwide, but also with the calibre and quality of work coming through across categories. Some of the projects here on this list have really risen up to the current challenging landscape and showcased solutions that address pressing issues of our time. And, for that, I’d like to congratulate all the entrants shortlisted on the well-deserved recognition.”

As part of D&AD’s commitment to improving accessibility and diversity in the creative sector, particularly during the current economic climate, all entries were offered a 40% discount to enter their work by January 12 2022.

D&AD is collaborating with HP Indigo to drive impact through creative education. A series of D&AD Impact Labs with HP Indigo in London, Barcelona and Atlanta will empower local agencies to create world-changing work – exploring themes of personalisation, co-creation and sustainability, while a 2023 New Blood brief will reach and teach the immediate next generation to co-create transformative designs, campaigns and initiatives that benefit our planet, our society and our business. Further details will be available soon.