Search Basket Sign In Masterclasses D&AD Annual D&AD Pencils If you’re already credited on a winning entry from any year, there’s a D&AD Pencil with your name on it. Get your Pencil About the D&AD Pencils Since 1962, the D&AD Pencil has represented the very best in design and advertising. Winning a Pencil remains the pinnacle of many careers and the work it celebrates inspires others to study, debate, copy and reference its excellence, as the industry’s finest and most historic of treasures. All D&AD Pencils are made with flawless quality in the UK from sustainable, FSC-certified wood stocks. History of the Pencil D&AD Award Levels Shortlist Work that demonstrates merit, worthy of recognition and in the top echelon of entries. It’s awarded in all categories in the first instance. Wood Pencil The best of the year in advertising, design, craft, culture and impact. Graphite Pencil For stand-out work that rises above the rest, worthy of consideration for a Yellow Pencil. Yellow Pencil The iconic D&AD Yellow Pencil, awarded only to outstanding work that achieves true creative excellence. Black Pencil The ultimate creative accolade, reserved for ground-breaking work. Only a handful of these are awarded each year, if any. The & Forest In 2021 we partnered with D&AD Future Impact winner theOtherDada to plant a tree in tribute to every Pencil awarded. These trees are part of an innovative afforestation programme that's restoring vital biodiversity in much needed areas of Lebanon. Called The & Forest, in recognition of the many partners and award winners that have made this forest possible, it will be located in the Chiyah area; planted and maintained by youth, people from the community and with the support of local NGO Himaya. You can read more about theOtherDada's winning entry here and read our latest report on the planting of The & Forest below. Pencil for a tree Category Awards Side Hustle Pencil Awarded to inspiring, scalable projects that demonstrate creativity and innovation. Awarded to work in the Side Hustle category. Future Impact Pencil Early-stage projects that demonstrate the potential to drive behavioural, environmental, societal or policy change through creativity. Awarded to work in the Future Impact category. White Pencil Exceptional projects that use the power of creativity to drive behavioural, environmental, societal or policy change. Replaces the Yellow Pencil in the Impact category. Collaborative Award The Collaborative Award recognises the long-lasting relationships between clients, agencies and production companies that have resulted in consistently inspiring creative outputs over time. How Do You Win One? D&AD Awards Be seen and celebrated by the best in the industry. New Blood Awards Pencils currently not available to purchase. President's Award The highest honour, reserved for industry legends. Companies of the Year See how the top ranking companies measure up Have You Won a D&AD Pencil? Order Yours Now They're sealed, masked, sanded, primed, painted, sprayed, printed, glossed and packed. Keep Up To Date Sign up for articles to keep the inspiration flowing, festival announcements, and of course the latest D&AD News. Sign Up LinkedIn Twitter Facebook YouTube Pinterest Instagram The Dots Accessibility Privacy Statement Terms & Conditions Contact Us How We Use Cookies Sustainability Policy Press Office Careers D&AD is a registered charity (charity number 305992) and a company limited, and registered in England and Wales (registered number 883234). © D&AD. All Rights Reserved 64 Cheshire Street, London, E2 6EH United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 20 7840 1111 Back to the top. We have placed cookies on your computer to help make this website better. You can change your cookie settings at any time. Otherwise, we'll assume you're OK to continue. Don't show this message again