The AOI, in partnership with the Directory of Illustration, has announced the 200 projects that have been shortlisted for the World Illustration Awards 2020.

In December 2019, the Association opened a call for illustrators to Be Ambitious, Be Seen, Be Celebrated. Over 4,300 entries were submitted by illustrators from 79 countries into this year’s awards; this was followed by a competitive judging process to find the 500 longlisted projects, from which the final shortlist of 200 projects has been selected.

The judging panel, including industry names such as D.W. Pine from TIME, illustrator Axel Scheffler, and Erich Nagler, lead AD for Google Doodles, has selected the shortlist which includes projects from all 10 categories by both New Talent and Professional Illustrators from across the globe.

Exploration category judge, writer, and co-founder of Yellowzine, Aisha Ayoade commented: “This competition receives submissions from a wide breadth of creatives with outstanding levels of skill and great control of their craft.

“Even when artists respond to the same category or tap into similar emotions through their work, each submission tells a unique story with a unique voice and though it’s been very difficult to choose, it has been a joy to explore.”

All works from the shortlist will be featured in a new Online Showcase from September 2020, offering an insight into the stories behind the projects, and commissioner and industry insights into the shortlist.

The category and overall winners will be announced on 21 October, launching an online Celebration Programme exploring different aspects of the illustration industry through online events and presentations.

The full shortlist can be viewed on The AOI website here.

Related: Interview with AOI member and American Illustration winner Jiyeun Kang

https://www.digitalartsonline.co.uk/news/illustration/world-illustration-awards-2020-showcase-some-of-earths-best-artists/