D&AD has introduced a new handcrafted Pencil award, designed by Grey Brazil, to honour sponsors of its Shift programme for self-taught creatives. The rough, hand-carved design symbolises individuality and imperfection, reflecting the unconventional journeys of participants. The first awards were presented in São Paulo to Uber, Natura, and Surf, recognising their active support of emerging talent.
Jones Knowles Ritchie (JKR) has created a new identity and campaign for D&AD under the theme 'Drawn to Create'. The rebrand celebrates creativity as a magnetic force, featuring a custom typeface called Pencil Gothic developed with Studio DRAMA. The identity was brought to life at the D&AD Festival in London through immersive installations, motion design, and interactive experiences.
Sydney and Melbourne-based studio MAUD created the brand identity for Rare with Google, a platform promoting diversity and inclusion in the creative and tech industries. The identity subverts Google’s corporate branding with a punk-inspired aesthetic, using modified typefaces, inclusive iconography, and gritty imagery. The result balances corporate clarity with expressive activism.
London-based agency Soft Power designed the campaign for the 2020 D&AD New Blood Awards, celebrating 40 years of supporting emerging creative talent. The identity uses exposed grids and abstract shapes inspired by debate and opinion, referencing the festival’s bold visual language. Founder Hamish Gardner describes the project as a culturally relevant and expressive campaign bridging education and practice.
Soft PowerStudio DumbarD&AD New Blood Awardsbranding
