Kit Hinrichs 2026 Typography Calendar-Click To Get!

2026—The 20th Annual Spark Awards & 1st Annual SpaceAwards!
Deadline Overview
Spark and Space have a two-phase process for entry fees. “Phase 1” consists of a basic registration fee, which all entrants pay to participate. These entries are then judged by the Jury Chairs to select a shortlist of Finalists for the “Phase 2” live jury, which selects winners. There is a second fee for the shortlisted Finalists, which must be paid prior to the live jury sessions (before the deadline described below). Only the shortlisted Finalists pay this second fee. The shortlist will be announced by email and on the entrant’s gallery page.

Spark (& SpaceAwards) are unusual in having a long open entry period. Early entrants benefit from lower pricing and longer exposure and promotion in the Spark Galleries. Highly recommended! If you have a design to enter but it’s not finished, you can enter early to secure the lower price, and put temporary placeholder descriptions and images in the entry form. Then come back when your design is finished and upload the real stuff. To be safe, all final media should be in a month before deadline.

Who Can Enter?
Spark Pro and SpaceAwards: All Professional Designers, Design Consultancies, In-House Design Departments, Publicity, Promotional and Marketing organizations specializing in Design.
Click HERE for Pro Deadlines

Spark Student Design and the SpaceAwards: Any current University-level (or above) student, in any design category. (All entries must be student work, not professional work. Entries may be submitted from any time period of the student’s study–could be a piece from last year, for example).
Click HERE for Student Deadlines

The 2026 Competitions Call For Entry is active: 2/26/26. (The 2025 competitions have ended)

Categories Include:
Product & Industrial Design
Architecture & Interior Design
Health, Medical & Universal Design
Graphic Design
Transport & Mobility Design
Package Design
Concept Pro—Professional Designers In All Disciplines
Experience & Service Design—Professional Designers In All Disciplines
Digital Design—Professional Designers In All Disciplines
Student Design Spring and Fall—Student Designers In All Disciplines
New For 2026: The SpaceAwards—for both Pro & Student Submissions

(Note: All dates subject to change.)