D&AD Festival Returns to London

Running from 21-22nd May, D&AD's annual Festival will bring the creative industry’s brightest minds to a new location at the Southbank Centre in London. Global leaders in advertising, design and art direction will gather for two days to celebrate, discuss and debate what creative excellence looks like today. Followed by the D&AD Awards Ceremony, also on 22 May, when the industry will gather together to recognise and award the finest creative minds from around the globe. 

The Festival will feature 90+ international speakers, two stages, keynote talks, interactive masterclasses and award-winning work insight sessions led by global creative leaders who will explore the intersection of traditional creativity and technology in design, art direction, and advertising. As AI transforms the creative sector and becomes a co-pilot for creativity, the Festival will cut through the noise with conversations from leading lights and innovators in the industry as they discuss the themes, ideas and tools shaping the future. 

The full programme is now available on D&AD website and attached. 

Visitors can purchase one and two day passes for the Festival to experience inspiring talks and innovative workshops. Tickets are also available to witness the unveiling of the 2024 Pencils during the Award Ceremony taking place on the 22nd of May starting at 6pm in Southbank Centre.  

Tickets are available here. Further discounts are available for students, charities/non-profits, freelancers, small businesses and retired people. Please email festival@dandad.org for more information. 

D&AD partners are set to enrich the festival-going experience with a series of unique activations: 

Adobe will be offering hands-on demonstrations of their latest AI innovations with Firefly. TikTok will explore ways to unlock the power of FYP for brands and agencies, Frontify will host a panel discussion on designing brand fandom featuring Super Bowl champions the Kansas City Chiefs alongside design agency Jones Knowles Ritchie, and HP Industrial Graphics invites attendees to co-create with Mr Goodvertising, Thomas Kolster, to drive sustainable brand impact. 

International charitable organisation Sightsavers will lead a workshop on accessibility and inclusive design, emphasising diversity in creative practice. FilmBrazil and Tátil Design will host a Brazilian-themed reception, showcasing the latter’s Pencil-winning design work for Rio Carnival, and Dentsu Creative will allow participants to look forward into their creative futures in an innovative ai-enabled photobooth. 

These collaborations promise a diverse and immersive festival experience. 

D&AD will reveal this year’s Pencil winners, closing the Festival at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre with the D&AD Awards Ceremony from 6pm on the 22nd May.