Kit Hinrichs 2025 Typography Calendar-Click To Get!
2025—The 19th Annual Spark Awards!
The 2024 submissions period ended November 18, 2024 and is NOW CLOSED.
Our next competition Call For Entry begins 2/25/25—Join Us!
Deadline Overview
Spark has a two-phase process for entry fees. “Phase 1” consists of a basic registration fee, which all entrants pay to participate. These entries are then judged by the Spark Jury Chairs to select a shortlist of Finalists for the “Phase 2” live jury, which selects winners. There is a second fee for the shortlisted Finalists, which must be paid prior to the live jury sessions (before the deadline described below). Only the shortlisted Finalists pay this second fee. The shortlist will be announced by email and on the entrant’s gallery page.
Spark is unusual in having a long open entry period. Early entrants benefit from lower pricing and longer exposure and promotion in the Spark Galleries. Highly recommended! If you have a design to enter but it’s not finished, you can enter early to secure the lower price, and put temporary placeholder descriptions and images in the entry form. Then come back when your design is finished and upload the real stuff. To be safe, all final media should be in a month before deadline.
Who Can Enter?
Spark Pro Design Awards: All Professional Designers, Design Consultancies, In-House Design Departments, Publicity, Promotional and Marketing organizations specializing in Design.
Spark Student Design Awards: Any current University-level (or above) student, in any design category. (All entries must be student work, not professional work. Entries may be submitted from any time period of the student’s study–could be a piece from last year, for example).
The 2025 Spring Student Competition Schedule
Call For Entry: February 25, 2025
Earlybird Deadline: April 5
Standard Deadline: June 6
Late and Final Deadline: June 28
Phase 1 Finalist Jury Review: June 29-July 3
Shortlisted Finalist Announcement for Phase 1: July 4
Shortlisted Finalist Fee Payment Period: July 4 to July 14 (Shortlisted Finalists Only).
Deadline For Finalist Fee: July 14 (Required for Phase 2 Jury Winners Selection).
Phase 2 Winner Selection Jury: July 16 to July 18
Winner Announcements: Beginning July 20
The 2025 Pro Categories Competition Schedule
Call For Entry: February 25, 2025
Earlybird Deadline: June 6
Standard Deadline: October 15
Late and Final Deadline: November 17
Phase 1 Finalist Jury Review: November 19-November 22
Shortlisted Finalist Announcement for Phase 1: November 23
Shortlisted Finalist Fee Payment Period: November 23 to December 1 (Shortlisted Finalists Only).
Deadline For Finalist Fee: December 1 (Required for Phase 2 Jury Winners Selection).
Phase 2 Winner Selection Jury: December 3 to December 5
Winner Announcements: Beginning December 8
Categories Include:
Product & Industrial Design
Spaces Design
Health, Medical & Universal Design
Graphic Design
Transport & Mobility Design
Package Design
Concept Pro—Professional Designers In All Disciplines
Experience & Service Design—Professional Designers In All Disciplines
Digital Design—Professional Designers In All Disciplines
Student Design Spring and Fall—Student Designers In All Disciplines
(Note: All dates subject to change.)
