Recognizing outstanding type-oriented achievements of designers age 35 and under; program branding by Anıl Aykan at Barnbrook Design London.
The Type Directors Club, the world’s leading typography organization, today opened the call for entries for its global Ascenders competition, celebrating international typographers, letterers, and type designers age 35 and under.
Ascenders is a fast-growing portfolio-based competition dedicated to type in all its versatile forms, and the inspiring up and coming designers — individuals or duos — who are elevating the medium. Entrants submit six projects – typography, use of type, design, lettering, etc. – with short descriptions, a statement of their role in the project’s creation, and a list of individual credits where applicable.
Entries are now being accepted, with entry fees increasing after the regular deadline of March 15, 2023. The extended deadline is April 15, 2023, and winners will be announced in June.
This year’s entries will be judged by a diverse jury of global leaders in the field, including some past Ascenders winners. The 2023 Ascenders jury is as follows:
Frank Adebiaye, type and document designer, Forthcome, Paris
David Barnett, co-owner, Noble Signs, Brooklyn
Alia Bright, self-employed artist and designer, Portland
Chris Campe, designer, writer, All Things Letters, Hamburg
Marina Chaccur, designer, The Hague
Vincent Chan, director, type designer, Matter of Sorts, Naarm/Melbourne
Cyla Costa, lettering artist, Cyla Costa Studio, Curitiba (Brazil)
Liza Enebeis, creative director, partner, Studio Dunbar/DEPT, Rotterdam
Golnar Kat Rahmani, founder, art director, Studio Katrahmani, Berlin
Kenneth Kuh, visual designer, San Jose (California)
Susana Machicao, brand consultant, Visual Communications and Design, Machicao Design, La Paz
Masashi Murakami, graphic designer, art director, emuni, Tokyo
Kiel Mutschelknaus, designer, educator, Baltimore/Washington DC
Shivani Parasnis, senior designer, Spotify, Baltimore
Claudia Rubín, senior designer, The New York Times Magazine New York
Tré Seals, founder, Vocal Type, Washington DC
Matthew Tapia, lettering and graphic artist, Honolulu
Li Zhiqian, cofounder, type director, 3type (三言), Shanghai
In order to make Ascenders affordable around the globe, TDC offers a four-tier price structure with significant discounts – up to 66% – based on the country where the entrant is located. TDC members also qualify for discounts.
Last year’s Ascenders winners, selected from the highest number of entrants in the competition’s history, included 25 talented young creatives from 13 countries and regions. Prominent past Ascenders winners include Au Chon Hin (Macao, 2022), Kevin Cantrell (Mantua, USA, 2018), Roxane Gataud (Brussels, 2022), Gemma O’Brien (Sydney, 2022), Juan Carlos Pagan (New York, 2018), Tré Seals (Maryland, 2018), and others.
“Ascenders is the space to confront yourself and overcome the biggest obstacle: the limited perception that we have of ourselves when we are starting out,” said Fer Cozzi, graphic designer and type designer based in Buenos Aires who was an Ascenders winner in 2019 and judge last year.
“This competition isn’t about having the perfect portfolio, but more about looking toward the future,” she added. “Ascenders entries should contain conviction, not just show off technical skill. I can’t wait to see what this year’s winners will show, since it will certainly reveal where the discipline is headed.”
This year’s Ascenders branding and award are designed by Anıl Aykan, graphic designer at Barnbrook Design in London and member of the TDC Advisory Board. The design depicts the “ascending” creatives by embracing the idea of growth and invasion, with the journey demonstrated by visual metaphors of steps toward further growth and expansion.
For more information and to enter, please visit the Ascenders website.