The juries for the 2026 D&AD Awardss have been revealed and they’re stuffed full of Aussies.
For 2026, 15 creatives from Australia will join the international jury, including three jury presidents, reflecting the country’s continued influence across design, craft and creative innovation.
The jurors from Australia are:
- Brand identity refresh Melissa Baillache executive creative director Koto
- Casting Toni Higginbotham casting director Toni Higginbotham Casting
- Commerce Laura Aldington co-founder Supermassive
- Digital marketing Tara McKenty chief creative officer AQKA AUNZ
- Direction Pete Baker director and creative partner Glue Society
- Editing Jack Hutchings film editor
- Film Micah Walker founder and chief creative officer Bear Meets Eagle On Fire
- Graphic design Jim Parry creative and branding designer
- Music videos Genevieve Triquet executive producer DIVISION
- Press and outdoor Gavin Chimes chief creative officer Howatson+Co
- Product design Jessie French founder Other Matter
- Production design Damien Drew art director
- Radio and audio Mandie van der Merwe chief creative officer Saatchi & Saatchi
- Writing for advertising Barbara Humphries chief creative officer Droga5 ANZ
- Writing for design Cat Wall brand writing and creative strategy
For 2026, independent studios now make up around half of the jury, alongside an increased number of brand-side representatives, including creatives from global brands such as Lego, Unilever and adidas. This reflects the breadth of creative leadership, spanning agencies, brands and independent studios.
The D&AD Awards challenge creatives, brands and studios to demonstrate that creativity is alive through action, making and world-class work.
The D&AD Awards return in May 2026, with live judging taking place from 17 – 20 May and winners announced on 20 May. Running alongside this, the D&AD Festival will take place across the Southbank on 19 – 20 May, featuring Insight Sessions exploring the work judges championed and challenged, the debates inside the jury rooms, and the themes and trends that emerged.
The Festival will also include keynote talks curated by D&AD president Lisa Smith, alongside the Yellow Pencil Showcase, where the winning work for 2026 will be revealed and explored with insight from the jury presidents.
The Black Pencil, D&AD’s highest honour, along with the President’s Award, individual rankings and Company of the Year, will be announced and celebrated separately in September.
In 2025, there were 64 winning entries from Australia, reinforcing the country’s standing on the global creative stage.
Donal Keenan COO D&AD said: “As a global non-profit, D&AD exists to uphold creative standards for the industry. The Awards are judged by creatives, for creatives and this year’s jury reflects the reality of how great work is made today, while maintaining the rigour and integrity that have defined D&AD for more than six decades.”
