Show Categories

Each year, noted creative professionals from across the region (sometimes the country) volunteer to come to Connecticut and select the best-of-the-best submissions from the categories listed below.

If you have questions about which category your work falls into, or suggestions for future categories, contact us directly at info@cadc.org

  • Consumer Advertisements or Direct Mail

    Business Advertisements or Direct Mail

    Pro Bono Advertisements or Direct Mail

    Integrated Advertising Campaign

    Non-Profit Advertisements or Direct Mail

    Consumer Advertisements or Direct Mail

    Outdoor or Transit Advertisements
    Billboards, vehicle wraps, transportation, etc.

    Radio/Streaming Advertisements

  • Experiential Design
    The creation of a physical space or experience that brings the consumer into direct contact with a brand, product, or idea. This includes installations, events, and competitions.

    Branded Interior Design
    Permanent interior designed brand space

    Trade/Exhibit
    Trade show/exhibit booth design

  • Annual Report
    Year-end financial report

    Cover Design
    Books, brochures, albums, etc.

    Books
    Complete entity

    Consumer Periodicals
    Magazines, newspapers, complete issue, or individual section

    Corporate / Institutional/Public Service Periodicals
    In-house publications, newspapers, magazines, complete issue or individual section, section covers, or individual feature pages

    Employee Publications
    Non-periodicals, manuals, reports, etc.

    Packaging
    Complete packaging design

    Trademark / Logo / Identity
    Final version only. Do not include alternates or concepts.

    Logo Systems/Branding Guidelines
    Complete logo systems or brand guidelines

    Stationery
    Letterhead, envelopes, business cards, etc.

    Architectural Graphics / Signage
    Complete programs or individual elements

    Brochures/Folders
    All elements/design of brochure/folder

    Catalogs
    Full catalog design

    Poster
    Individual poster design

    Poster Series
    At least 3 posters and no more than 5

    Announcements/Invitations/Greeting Cards
    Complete announcement/invitations/greeting cards

    Miscellaneous
    Calendars, menus, matchbook covers, etc.

    Pro Bono Design
    Complete pro bono design

    Integrated Branding Program
    Comprehensive program may include identity, business papers, collateral, packaging, signage, website, etc. Should include at least 6 pieces and no more than 8.

    Self Promotion
    Complete self promotion design

  • Book/Book Cover Illustration
    Complete book/book cover illustration

    Editorial Illustration

    Typography and Lettering

    Pattern/Surface/Textile

    Misc. Illustration
    Calendars, menus, matchbook covers, etc.

  • Online Promotion
    Any screen-based materials used to further the sales of a product or service

    Email Design

    Business & Corporate Websites
    Custom-designed website for a company or other organization, offering products or services, such as manufacturing, financial services, marketing, etc. This includes e-commerce sites.

    Cultural & Educational Websites

    Nonprofit Websites

    Misc. Websites
    Microsites, community building websites (social networks), search engines, directory websites, event websites, review websites, etc.

    Motion Graphics
    Animations, cartoons, and other intriguing works built using tools like After Effects and HTML5/CSS3/JS

    Social Media
    Campaigns that creatively connect brands and customers by sharing an experience

    Pro Bono Design for Interactive and Online Materials

    Online Campaign
    Campaigns containing 3-5 pieces spanning across different online media

    Self Promotion

    Web or Mobile application/product

    Digital Publications/E-Books

  • Editorial

    Books/Publishing

    Commercial & Advertising – Portrait

    Commercial & Advertising – Lifestyle

    Commercial & Advertising – Still Life

    Personal Work

    Fine Art

    Institutional/Trade

  • Print

    Online/Interactive

    Illustration

    Brand Identity

    Animation

    Photography – Portrait

    Video

  • Corporate/Public Service 

    Pro Bono

    Commercial and Advertising

    Documentary

    Editorial

    Institutional/Trade

    Personal Work

    Misc. Video
    Presentation, short films used for promotion, etc.

Helpful Terms

BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS ADVERTISING
For any product or service to distributors, retailers, or business end users. Does not include consumer, institutional, corporate, or public service ads.

CONSUMER
Promoting a product or a service direct to the end user. This does not include institutional, corporate, or public service ads.

CORPORATE
Work for or by a company or other organization offering financial or other services, marketing, or manufacturing capabilities or products.

INSTITUTIONAL/PUBLIC SERVICE
Work for or by schools, colleges, universities, religious groups or institutions, museums, galleries, hospitals, and other not-for-profit organizations.

INSTITUTIONAL/NONPROFIT
/PUBLIC SERVICE
Intended for the purpose of enhancing stature or image, including corporate citizenship or sponsorship; for soliciting funds; or to encourage behavioral change whether it be physical, emotional, or environmental. Not a product or service promotion.

PRO BONO CREATIVE
Work donated to a cause.

View Last Year’s Work

The 48th Annual Awards season has come to a close and now is the time to celebrate all of the amazing work that took home top honors.