The Affiliation of Illustrators (AOI), in partnership with the Listing of Illustration, has unveiled the much-anticipated shortlist for the World Illustration Awards 2025. From over 4,700 submissions throughout 85 international locations, simply 200 initiatives have been chosen—now accessible to discover in a powerful On-line Showcase that celebrates the perfect in international illustration.
Spanning classes reminiscent of Editorial, Kids’s Books, Science & Expertise, and Website Particular, this yr’s entries spotlight the sheer breadth and expertise of up to date illustrators, with judges praising the innovation, emotion and technical brilliance throughout the board.
We’re impressed by the entire work on show. Who Flew The Coop? is a card recreation illustrated by Paperface, shortlisted within the Design Product & Packaging class. “The temporary was to create humorous, mug-shot type portraits for a forged of 24 completely different breeds of hen,” she explains. “They wanted to be distinctive, partaking and talk varied features of the chickens’ personalities, as this performed a component within the recreation itself.”
Acquire Them All by Liberty Opal (Design Product & Packaging)
The Magic Bookshop by Nancy Nan (Editorial)
There’s additionally The Magic Bookshop by Nancy Nan, created for AKA NYC’s yearly calendar. The inspiration apparently got here from one of many artist’s favorite youngsters’s bookstores in New York Metropolis. “Each time I step inside and flick through the image books, it appears like I am embarking on a journey right into a magical world of creativeness. This illustration captures the sights, feelings, and sense of marvel I expertise in these bookstores, conveying the essence of those extraordinary areas.”
“Judging this yr’s entries was like being handed a front-row seat to a visible fireworks present,” mentioned Editorial choose Dian Holton. “The vary, coronary heart, and sheer creativeness within the work was a reminder of simply how thrilling this subject might be.”
Tim Claeys, a choose within the Exploration and Science & Expertise classes, echoed the joy: “The usual of illustrations we have been offered with was actually excessive and stylistically numerous. Illustrators are leveraging know-how not only for effectivity however to push visible boundaries.”
The Accessible ABC’s by Bailey Crouch (Design Product & Packaging)
Choco Tapes by Gianvito Turi (Design Product & Packaging)
Secure Spectrum: Beforeplay – Nationwide Well being Marketing campaign by Duckie The Duck (Promoting)
Lee Hao Poetry E book Cowl by Spike Chien (E book Covers)
Three E book Covers: A Unified Design System by Cheuk Lam Siu (Lotte Siu) (E book Covers))
My Title is Jemima by Allison Colpoys (Kids’s Publishing)
The On-line Showcase contains curated highlights, artist interviews, and unique content material from shortlisted creatives, all of whom stay within the operating to win awards of their respective classes. Every class recognises each New Expertise and Skilled entries, with 20 Extremely Counseled initiatives, 20 Class Winners, and two General Winners set to be revealed throughout a stay broadcast on 16 September 2025.
There are additionally 4 cross-category honours, together with the SAA Award for an unrepresented pupil and the XPPen Digital Innovation Award for probably the most cutting-edge digital work.
Introduced yearly by the AOI and the Listing of Illustration, the World Illustration Awards is likely one of the trade’s most prestigious platforms, celebrating creativity and elevating illustrators on a world stage.
Discover the total shortlist now at worldillustrationawards.com/initiatives. Good luck to all these concerned.
Quantum reference frames: an perception by Michele Sclafani (Science & Expertise)
