hiiibrand awards 2026

17.07.2026 Member events

ICoD is pleased to announce the Member Event, Hiiibrand Awards 2026, organised by Hiiibrand. Submissions are open from 1 June 2026 to 31 August 2026.

The Hiiibrand International Brand & Communication Design Awards, also known as the Hiiibrand Awards, are dedicated to spotlighting brand building and design value. Through a worldwide call for entries and a rigorous jury process, the awards celebrate outstanding brand practices and design excellence, aiming to drive forward the fields of brand strategy and communication design. The Hiiibrand Awards feature two parts: Brand Awards and Design Awards. Brand Awards honor companies and organizations that have demonstrated exceptional achievement in brand positioning, strategy, innovation, and communication; Design Awards recognize teams and individuals who have exhibited remarkable excellence in the realm of communication design.

The Hiiibrand Awards do not merely focus on surface-level aesthetics; they holistically evaluate how works address real-world business challenges and strategic responses. With seventeen years of history, the Hiiibrand Awards stand as a premier international platform renowned for its professionalism and forward-thinking vision. It represents the industry’s authority and serves as the benchmark for high-quality brand and design practice. To be recognized—whether through winning or being shortlisted—is a true distinction for both brands and design parties alike.

The 17th Hiiibrand International Brand & Communication Design Awards is proud to unveil another stellar jury lineup and officially introduce a new AI Visual Category. Meanwhile, the awards continue their commitment to nurturing the future by running parallel tracks for professional and student levels, providing a global stage for emerging creative talent. Hiiibrand Awards cordially invites designers and creative agencies worldwide to join this grand design event and compete for the highest honors!

JURY PRESIDENT
Emma Barratt, Global Executive Creative Director at Wolff Olins, UK

JUDGES
Jason Little, Executive Creative Director and Head of Design at Fundamentalco, Australia
Pum Lefebure, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Design Army, Chairperson of The One Club for Creativity, USA
Oliver Maltby, Executive Creative Director and Managing Director at Interbrand New York, USA
Samar Maakaroun, Partner at Pentagram, UK
Arthur Foliard, Executive Creative Director at Koto New York, USA
Anton Lamberg, Tech & Creative Director at Lava, The Netherlands
Mike Abbink, Executive Director of Design, Foundations, GM Design, USA
Sammy Or, Founder & Chief Type Director of VMType, Hong Kong, China

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Brand Awards
A. Brand Story and Vision
B. Brand Strategy
C. Brand Innovation and Practice
D. Brand Identity
Design Awards
A. Design Communication
B. Design Execution
C. Design Creativity
D. Design Influence

ELIGIBILITY
All entries in the Design Awards Professional Level are eligible to apply for the Brand Awards; entries in the Design Awards Professional Level must be projects that have been commissioned and actually applied; entries in the Design Awards Student Level can be graduation projects or school assignments.
Open globally to professionals (agencies, freelancers, brands) and students; works must be created or published between Jan 1, 2024 and Aug 31, 2026 (student work from Jan 1, 2024).

CATEGORIES
A. Branding
Focused on the design of individual brand elements or overall brand strategy, encompassing the creation of new brands, brand reshaping, promotion, innovation, and marketing.
B. Logo
Involves the design of a single or series of logos, primarily for the identification of companies or products and the effective communication of core brand messages.
C. Packaging
Design and production of single or series of packages, not only for protecting and containing products but also for conveying brand information and enhancing market appeal.
D. Typography
Includes type design, customized typeface for brand, and design work that primarily uses typography and layout as the main means of communication.
E. Editing & Publishing
Editing involves the integration of text, images, and music into a cohesive whole; publishing focuses on the design and production of digital and print publications.
F. Advertising
A commercial marketing approach utilizing various media to disseminate creative information, aiming to influence consumer behavior, enhance brand image, or promote specific viewpoints.
G. Environment & Space
A strategic approach leveraging creative design and technology to create functional and engaging physical environments, enhancing user experience and brand value.
H. Digital Media
The practice of using digital technology and internet platforms to disseminate creative information, targeting the intended audience and achieving business objectives.
I. AI Visual
Focusing on visual design assisted or led by artificial intelligence, with human creativity at its core and AI technology as its backbone.

COSTS
The super early bird deadline is June 30, 2026, with a 50% discount; the early bird deadline is July 31, 2026, with a 25% discount; the regular deadline is August 31, 2026, after which the original price applies.

PRIZE
Winners receive the official Hiiibrand Awards logo for promotional use, electronic certificates, and Kaleidoscope trophies (Best Brand and Bronze+ Design winners). Selected works will be featured in exhibitions and promoted via Hiiibrand’s official media, interviews, social media, and partner platforms. Hiiibrand Awards recognizes excellence with Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Merit awards across nine categories at both professional and student levels, alongside special awards like Best Brand, Excellent Brand, and Most Popular Award (via public vote).