The Society for News Design is making dramatic changes to its annual Best of News Design Creative Competition. These will help the competition recognize excellence and innovation across all platforms in news design.
This year, the print, digital and student competitions have been merged into a single competition. Categories have been streamlined to better cover all platforms and types of visual journalism and storytelling. Instead of being organized by platform, categories are now organized by topic, and you will have the opportunity to submit print, digital or combination work to most categories. There will be one group of expert judges that evaluates all the work and determines awards.
Additionally, for the first time, there are also categories for non-editorial work. This includes ad campaigns, corporate reports, presentations and more.
The Best of News Design competition provides an opportunity for newsrooms to share their work and receive recognition for excellence and innovation in news design. The competition also serves as a valuable learning experience for judges and volunteers. Judges will recognize journalistic excellence in storytelling, graphics, art direction and social media to identify visual journalism that defines the state of the art.
All entries must have been published between Jan. 1, 2024 and Dec. 31, 2024.
Standard deadline: Friday, Feb. 14, 2025
- Members: $25 for a single page, $40 for multiple-page entries. (World’s Best Newspaper: free)
- Non-members: $50 for a single page, $80 for multiple-page entires. (World’s Best Newspaper: $80)
- Students: $10 for a single page, $15 for multiple-page entries
Extended deadline: Friday, February 28, 2025
- Members: $30 for a single page, $45 for multiple-page entries. (World’s Best Newspaper: free)
- Non-members: $60 for a single page, $90 for multiple-page entries. (World’s Best Newspaper: $90)
- Students: $20 for a single page, $30 for multiple-page entries
- Entries will be accepted here starting in early January
- Previous results can be found here.
1. Story Page Design
“This category recognizes visual storytelling across platforms. Entries will be judged for excellence in design and presentation (typography, styling, pacing, organization, photo editing, user experience, information architecture, usability, use of color etc.) as well as innovation (new tools or experimentation).
For digital: Story page design, development (responsiveness, performance, browser compatibility, interactivity, accessibility etc.) will also be considered. An entry does not need to check off all items to receive an award. For multiple-URL entries, use special coverage or portfolio.
For print: Spreads or doubletruck pages count as a single page entry. A doubletruck is defined as two pages designed as a single unit. Broadsheet or compact sizes may be options within specific subcategories. Stories that continue beyond a single page in print may also include additional related designs as one multiple-page entry. Work from multiple sections or multiple days must be entered in special coverage. The cover is not required with entry. Any given print page may only be entered twice in this category: once as a single page entry and once as part of a multipage entry. Single pages entered more than once will be disqualified. For non-English print entries, please include a brief explanation of the content in English. “
2. Infographics
“This category recognizes graphic storytelling. Entries will be judged for excellence in reporting and content creation (data visualization, information graphics, use of visual media, illustration and art direction, etc.) as well as design, presentation, and innovation (new techniques or experimentation). For digital entries, development (programming, coding, applications, database analysis, responsiveness, performance, browser compatibility, interactivity, accessibility etc.) will also be considered. An entry does not need to check off all items to receive an award.
Entries that have been created with the use of AI text-to-image generating software or platforms are not currently eligible and cannot be accepted in the information graphics categories. (By submitting, you attest that the work was done by the eyes, hands and mind of a human creator.) Graphic credits must be attributed to graphics artists or staff.
- For multiple editions or URL entries, use line of coverage or portfolio.
- Printed spreads or doubletruck pages count as a single page entry. If an individual graphic is to be isolated among a wider presentation, add notes to judges in the entry submission. Do not enter the same story in more than two infographics categories. For non-English entries, please include a brief explanation of the content in English.
3. Special Coverage
This category recognizes expanded coverage around events, topics/themes, series and packages of stories. Entries will be judged for excellence in design and presentation (typography, styling, pacing, organization, photo editing, user experience, information architecture, accessibility, use of color etc.), reporting and content creation (data visualization, information graphics, photography, video, audio, animation, illustration and art direction, etc.) as well as innovation (new tools or experimentation). An entry does not need to check off all items to receive an award.
Digital: Please submit 3-7 related URLs from page design, infographics or social media. If applicable, development (responsiveness, performance, browser compatibility, interactivity, etc.) may also be considered. For unrelated stories, please use the portfolio category.
Print: Enter multiple pages that best demonstrate coverage of one topic across several days. An entry should either include a single day of coverage across multiple sections or pages from more than one day of coverage. There is no limit to the number of pages or days of coverage. These do not have to be consecutive pages or consecutive publication dates. Pages from the same event or topic on the same day may not be entered in more than one subcategory. For example, coverage entered as “Regional/local” may not also be entered as “Obituaries.” A page may not be used as part of more than one entry in this category. For non-English entries, please include a brief explanation of the content in English.
4. Illustration and Use of Multimedia
This category recognizes illustrative storytelling, art direction, as well as design of multimedia elements. Entries will be judged for excellence on the concept, creativity, and relevance to the story. Submit the illustration or element in the context of how it was published. This category recognizes the illustration(s) or element(s) entered, not the overall page design; however, judges may consider how the element is displayed as part of the page and the relevance of concept to the story. Work must be staff-generated and/or first-use. Work may have appeared in print or online.
Photography that is manipulated, combined and/or stylized to create an original image (including studio photography) may also be entered as illustration.
Images created using artificial intelligence (including the use of AI text-to-image generating software or platforms) are not accepted in this category. By submitting, you attest that the work was done by the eyes, hands and mind of a human creator. Illustration credits must be attributed to artists or staff and should not include credits to generative AI tools.
For non-English entries, please include a brief explanation of the content in English.
- Single Illustrations: Submit one (1) full page or URL for each entry. Two print pages designed as a single unit are considered a single page. A single illustration may only be entered once in the single-illustration subcategories.
- Multiple Illustrations: Submit multiple illustrations for a single story or topic that spans one or multiple pages.
Photography design: This category recognizes excellence in use of photography within visual storytelling. Entries will be judged on the quality of photographs, photo editing and design. Do not submit original photography. Submit the photography in the context of how it was published. Work must be staff-generated and/or first-use. Submit full pages for each entry. All photos on a page or pages will be judged in this category. This category is open to newspapers and magazines. For non-English print entries, please include a brief explanation of the content in English.
- Photo story: Submit a URL, print page or doubletruck (defined as two pages designed as one unit) from a single publication date.
- Photo Series: Submit pages or ULRs from an entire series spanning more than one day.
Other multimdedia or design elements (animation, video, audio, typography): This category is for highlighting a specific element or visual storytelling device within a page. Judges will consider both the design and content of the element itself and how the element interacts with the rest of the page design. For multiple URLs entries, use line of coverage or portfolio.
Important: Please note which element(s) on the page should be judged, along with any applicable details.
5. Platforms and Products
This category recognizes excellence in storytelling and design across platforms. Entries will be judged for excellence in consistency of presentation (typography, pacing, organization, photo editing, use of color etc.), display of visual media, and innovation. For digital entries, responsiveness, user experience, information architecture and usability will also be considered, along with performance, browser compatibility, interactivity, and accessibility. An entry does not need to check off all items to receive an award.
Print sections: This category is for regularly appearing sections. Submit three (3) complete sections or magazines, including full pages of advertising. Editors may choose any three dates from the previous calendar year. The three sections constitute one multipage entry. Covers or individual pages should be submitted in the page design category. For non-English entries, please include a brief explanation of the content in English.
Special Section: This category is for sections that appear fewer than four (4) times a year. Single pages from special sections should be entered in the page design category. Please submit section(s) in full. Do not remove any pages, including full pages of advertising, from a section entered in this category. For non-English entries, please include a brief explanation of the content in English.
Social media: For off-platform channels or downstream applications, judges will consider the visuals, how they are displayed or advance storytelling within the context of the platform. Submit the URLs or upload a file and please note which element(s) should be judged.
Digital products: Submit work that demonstrates the use of thoughtful or innovative designs concentrating on user experience or user interface design. Entries can be submitted as screenshots, video, a URL or a URL to a download page. Please supply us with the materials you think are needed to explain this entry in the best way possible.
Experimental: Submit work that does not necessarily fit other categories, including augmented and virtual reality. If relevant, include a URL to a download page or a video showing the entry in use. Please include as much pertinent information as possible to give judges the best opportunity to see how a reader/viewer would see the work.
6. Non-Editorial
Entries for the competition may be submitted by a diverse range of participants, including but not limited to any company, agency, or individual who played a role in the creation, production, distribution, or placement of the work. Professionals and students are eligible to enter. This wide eligibility ensures that a variety of voices and perspectives can be represented. To qualify, all entries must have been created, produced, or published anytime in 2024.
7. Student Work
This is for non-published assignments from classes. Please include a note on any relevant factors to help judges understand the objectives and how success was measured.
8. World’s Best and Portfolios
“This category recognizes a body of work based on the same critieria from the related categories. If more than one portfolio is entered by the same person or staff in the same subcategory, pages/URLs may not be duplicated. Entries with fewer than the required pages/URLs, or more than the required pages/URLs or that name more than one individual will be disqualified. If you’ve changed jobs, you may enter pages from multiple publications.
Multiple graphics by one artist on one page is considered one entry. Multiple illustrations by one artist on one page or story is considered one entry. Staff portfolio entries by a single designer will be disqualified in that category.
Entries will be judged for excellence in visual storytelling (typography, styling, pacing, organization, photo editing, user experience, information architecture, usability, use of color etc.), reporting and content creation (data visualization, information graphics, use of visual media, illustration and art direction, etc.) as well as innovation (new tools or experimentation). For digital story page design, development (responsiveness, performance, browser compatibility, interactivity, accessibility etc.) is also considered. An entry does not need to check off all items to receive an award.
Digital: Submit a individual portfolio of exactly five (5) URLs, or a staff portfolio of exactly seven (7) URLs. An “Individual” portfolio should be designed completely or primarily by a single submitter; for stories with multiple bylines, please note the specific role and contributions for the individual credited on the portfolio. An “staff” portfolio should be designed by different people as a staff effort; organizations may enter more than one portfolio per subcategory but individual URLs should NOT be repeated among entries with the same portfolio category. For entries around a related topic, use special coverage instead.
Print: Submit an individual portfolio of exactly six (6) pages or a staff portfolio of exactly (8) pages. Team projects showing the work of more than one designer should be entered as a staff portfolio. A spread or doubletruck, as a part of any portfolio, counts as a single page. A doubletruck is defined as two pages designed as a single unit. For non-English entries, please include a brief explanation of the content in English.
World’s Best-Designed
SND will recognize publications, news sites or organizations for overall excellence. Entries will be evaluated on visual storytelling, use of resources including photography/illustration/infographics, news judgment, creative range, execution and voice. This category is not mandatory. Only “staff” will be allowed as a credit when entering. Only one entry per publication is allowed in each of these categories.
Newspaper: Submit five (5) complete editions from 2023 in PDF form via the digital entry portal. All five editions should come from different weeks – more than seven days apart. No magazines may be entered in this category.
Digital: Submit nine (9) URLs from different weeks — more than seven days apart.
Emerging Designer: This category will recognize designers with five or fewer years of professional experience. Entries will be judged for excellence in design skills across a range of platforms or topics. Submit a portfolio of work, with any combination of five (5) URLs or PDFs. Published student work is welcome, but class work will not be accepted.
The World’s Best-Designed Designer and Best in Show will be selected from top medal winners in the individual portfolio categories.
World’s Best Emerging Designer
- Student or early career (<5 years experience)
- Submit work under the World’s Best system, for those judges. Separate submission from portfolios.
- Can be student or professional. For students, it is preferred to show a range of published and class work.
- 7 – 10 submissions per portfolio
- Add in some wording regarding showing range of topics or formats. PRINT, DIGITAL OR COMBO?