What is Ascenders?
Created by the Type Directors Club, Ascenders recognizes designers on the rise. Ascenders is for all typographic creatives age 35 or under (so if you were born in 1989 or later, keep reading). You can apply individually, or as a duo if you do your best work as part of a team. Learn about the 2023, 2022, 2019, and 2018 Ascenders, and be sure to follow #TDCASCENDERS.
What is the application process like?
The entry requires six of your strongest works, no more, no less. For each, you can submit up to six images or videos, and a short entry description.
What does winning mean?
Winners become part of the esteemed and rarefied TDC Ascenders family, a collection of creatives known to be at the apex of their craft. Only a select few winners are chosen every year, making the recognition that much more earned. Winners will be feted at a celebration held in New York on August 14, 2024.
Who's judging?
Our judges are top top typographic practitioners from around the world, including past Ascenders winners. The jury is chosen each year by TDC’s Advisory Board, whose aim is to balance deep expertise with a wide range of perspectives. For 2024, we have the following judges looking through the entered work:
TDC Ascenders Jury
Pouya Ahmadi
Studio Pouya Ahmadi
Gail Anderson
School of Visual Arts
Veronkia Burian
TypeTogether
Suzy Chan
Rejane Dal Bello
Studio Rejane Dal Bello
Han Gao
WorkByWorks Studio
Oscar Guerrero
SumoType
Jaemin Lee
fnt
Sol Matas
Studio Melli
Studio Melli
Muk Monsalve
Wael Morcos
MorcosKey
Alex Nassour
Nubia Navarro
Nubikini Studio
Gemma O'Brien
Felix Pfäffli
Studio Feixen
Kristyan Sarkis
TPTQ Arabic
Guille Vizzari
YaniGuille&Co.
When is the deadline?
- Early Deadline: March 15
- Final Deadline: April 19
The first Ascenders deadline is Friday, March 15, after which entry fees are increased. The final deadline is one month later, on Tuesday, April 19th.
How much does it cost?
Ascenders is a global competition, and recognizes the financial disparity between countries and regions. With this in mind, there are four different pricing tiers for entrants.
All fees increase by $25 USD after the March 15 deadline, so be sure to enter early!
- Full-Priced Regions: $150 USD
- Mid-Priced Regions: $100 USD
- Low-Priced Regions: $50 USD
- Free Regions: $0 USD
And of course, TDC & The One Club For Creativity members receive discounted rates, with an additional $25 off no matter the region!
Please note: All transactions are subject to a 3% processing fee.
Have more questions?
Slide into our DMs. We’re active on Twitter, Instagram, or you can email us at info@tdc.org.
