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.
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.
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.
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:
Studio Pouya Ahmadi
School of Visual Arts
TypeTogether
Studio Rejane Dal Bello
WorkByWorks Studio
SumoType
fnt
Studio Melli
MorcosKey
Nubikini Studio
Studio Feixen
TPTQ Arabic
YaniGuille&Co.
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.
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!
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.
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