---
title: Communication Arts 2027 Illustration Competition
description: International illustration competition from Communication Arts; winners receive an Award of Excellence and publication in the Illustration Annual.
url: https://www.artsume.com/programs/e4124f4b-2895-47bf-9c0d-6942b5bc6aa9
type: program
status: open
createdAt: "2026-10-24"
updatedAt: "2026-10-24"
programType: Open call
organization: Communication Arts
organizationUrl: https://www.artsume.com/o/communication-arts
deadline: "2027-01-08"
location: Belmont, CA, United States
isOnline: false
compensationRange: Award of Excellence (milled aluminum) and award certificates for firms, individuals and clients; publication in the Illustration Annual and on commarts.com.
disciplines:
  - illustration
---

# Communication Arts 2027 Illustration Competition

**Hosted by:** Communication Arts

**Type:** Open call | **Location:** Belmont, CA, United States | **Deadline:** January 8, 2027

## About This Program

### Opportunity Description

International Deadline: January 8, 2027 – Introduce your work to the world. Enter the most prestigious competition for creativity in illustration, the Communication Arts Illustration Competition.

Any illustration first published or produced from January 2026 through January 2027 is eligible. Selected by an international jury of distinguished designers, art directors and illustrators, the winning entries will be distributed worldwide in the Communication Arts Illustration Annual, in print and digital editions, and on commarts.com, assuring important exposure to the creators of this outstanding work. As a service to art directors, designers and art buyers, a comprehensive index will carry contact information of the illustrators represented.

For 68 years, Communication Arts has honored the craft of talented illustrators from around the world. In support of these hardworking artists, we will not be accepting AI text-to-image generated submissions in our Illustration competition.

### AWARDS

Each winning entrant will receive a personalized Award of Excellence, milled from solid aluminum, and award certificates issued for firms, individuals and clients.

CA's Award of Excellence is one of the most-coveted awards in the industry. If chosen, winning places you in the highest ranks of your profession.

### What To Enter

Any illustration first published or produced from January 2026 through January 2027 is eligible. Entries may originate from any country. Descriptions in English are very important to the judges. Submission of entries acknowledges the right of Communication Arts to use them for publication and exhibition.

### Illustration Competition Categories

These categories are judged by the Illustration jury and will appear in the Illustration Annual.

- Advertising: ads, posters, music and product packaging, etc.
- Books: covers, jackets, interiors, etc.
- Editorial: consumer or trade magazines, newspapers, etc.
- For Sale: posters, prints, greeting cards, licensing/stock, gallery sale, online store, etc.
- Institutional: company/association publications, annual reports, catalogs, client websites, blogs, etc.
- Motion/Animation: time-based media for film, television, video or web, etc.
- Self-Promotion: promotion for illustrators, design firms, ad agencies, art schools, printers, paper companies, etc.
- Unpublished: experimental/personal work not published.
- Student Work: illustration or animation created for school assignments.

### Late Fees

Entries must be registered no later than Midnight (Pacific Time), January 8, 2027. Entries registered after that date require a late fee of $10 per entry. No entries can be registered after January 22, 2027.

Each illustration is a single entry. Campaigns or series are limited to five illustrations and must be created for the same project.

### How to Enter

All competition entries are processed through our online competition system.

Before you begin the process of entering a competition, please have the following information and materials ready:

- Your contact information for registration and notification.
- Title and basic credits for each project.
- Digital files of work you want to submit.

Digital Images: Must be RGB in JPG format with a maximum file size of 2MB.

Motion/Animation Entries: Must be in MOV, MP4, MPG or GIF format, with a maximum file size of 500MB.

## Eligibility & Requirements

- **Geographic Eligibility:** International
- **Disciplines:** illustration
- **Note:** Any illustration first published or produced from January 2026 through January 2027 is eligible. Entries may originate from any country. Descriptions in English are very important to the judges. AI text-to-image generated submissions will not be accepted.

### Additional Requirements

- Contact information for registration and notification
- Title and basic credits for each project
- Digital files of the work to be submitted (JPG, RGB, max 2MB per image; or MOV/MP4/MPG/GIF for motion entries, max 500MB)

## Compensation & Benefits

Award of Excellence (milled aluminum) and award certificates for firms, individuals and clients; publication in the Illustration Annual and on commarts.com.

**Includes:** Prize

## Timeline

- **Opens:** October 23, 2026
- **Deadline:** January 8, 2027

## Contact

**Email:** competition@commarts.com

**Phone:** (650) 326-6040

## How to Apply

Apply at: https://www.commarts.com/competition/2027-illustration