For those in the ad biz, the annual D&AD Awards (from the non-profit educational organization Design & Art Direction) are a big deal. The group promotes design excellence and counts the legendary photographer David Bailey among its founders. Every year, thousands submit their most eye-popping, smartest, and most provocative creations to the D&ADs. Panels of judges debate the best, select the best, and publish an annual book—which is a fantastic compendium of the year's most memorable creative work. Favorites win the Yellow Pencil while the most incredible work gets the coveted (only to be said in hushed tones) Black Pencil. With the D&ADs turning fifty, Taschen has issued a tome that celebrates the best from each year and traces the development of commercial art and creativity from the birth of advertising up to the digital upheaval.
And by the way, the D&AD Awards deadline for entry is Jan 30. This year's slogan: "Win one, die happy."
D&AD 50 is available soon.