With the next Annual deadline just two weeks away, creatives and companies across the industry are gearing up to showcase their best work. Whether you're a first-time entrant or a returning contender, chances are you've got questions about how to submit, what to expect, and how to make your entry shine.
To make your life easier, we’ve compiled and answered the 10 most asked questions about The Annual, ensuring you're fully prepared and confident when submitting your entry.
1. How do I submit my work?
Submissions begin with your Creativepool profile. Start by selecting the projects or case studies you want to enter. Make sure you’ve gathered all the necessary assets—images, videos, written summaries, and any other supporting material and upload them to your profile.
Once your work is live on your profile, you can choose which categories to submit it to and submit your work. Remember: individuals and companies have separate entry pages, so double-check you're logged in to the correct account before proceeding.
Annual 2024 - Grand Prix winner - Edelman - The Wild Algorithm (Reset)
2. What are the work entry requirements?
To qualify for this year’s Annual, your project must have been publicly released between 1st January 2024 and 29th May 2025.
Most categories require commercial work, but there are exceptions, especially in areas like conceptual design or social good. For full clarity on each category’s criteria, we highly recommend downloading and reviewing the official Entry Pack.
Annual 2024 - Silver winner - PepsiCo Design & Innovation - Pepsi 125 Diner
3. How do I choose the best category for my work?
The smart approach is to start with reviewing the categories page, where you’ll find a brief description of each category’s purpose and scope.
Because creative projects often blend multiple disciplines, your work may be eligible for more than one category. In that case, consider where your entry truly shines and what type of recognition would best align with your goals or brand positioning.
Annual 2024 - Silver winner - Huge- McDonald's: An Industry-Leading, Omnichannel Experience
4. Can I save my entries to submit later?
Absolutely. If you're in the middle of the submission process and need more time, just click on “Save For Later” at the bottom of the page. You’ll be able to return and complete your entry when you're ready.
One thing to note: this feature only applies to work entries. Nominations—like "Designer of the Year"—must be submitted in one go. We recommend drafting those responses offline first, then copying and pasting into the form when ready.
5. What are the requirements for the "Of The Year" awards?
Unlike work-based categories, the "Of The Year" awards are focused on your overall performance and achievements during the past year.
These are our premier awards, requirements for each are laid out on the nomination form. Judges will look at your full body of work, growth, innovation, and impact. Your nomination should include a compelling narrative and strong evidence metrics, testimonials, highlights that demonstrate why this year was exceptional for you or your company.
Don’t forget: your Creativepool profile should be updated with all your recent work. It acts as your portfolio and influences how judges assess your accomplishments.
Annual 2024 - Gold winner/People's Choice - Iris - Samsung Flip Park
6. Will I compete against others in my category?
Here’s something unique about The Annual: you’re not competing directly against others in the traditional sense.
Each submission is judged on its own merits and scored individually. That means multiple entries can receive the same level of recognition (e.g., multiple Silver awards in a single category). The focus is on quality, not quantity.
However, in nomination-based categories (like “Agency of the Year”), only the highest-scoring entrant wins.
7. How does the scoring system work?
Entries are reviewed by a panel of industry experts who use a strict scoring framework to evaluate each submission. The average of these scores determines the final award level:
Bronze: Average score of 7+
Silver: Average score of 8+
Gold: Average score of 9+
In addition to the judges' evaluation, there’s also the People’s Choice component. This is where the Creativepool community votes, offering a second opportunity to gain recognition.
8. Can I enter the same project/case study in multiple categories?
Yes and it’s actually a smart strategy.
Many projects span multiple creative areas - design, copywriting, UX, branding, so submitting to more than one category increases your chances of winning across disciplines. So make sure you check the categories available to you to see if there is crossover.
You can also submit different projects into the same category, allowing each to be judged on its own strengths.
9. What awards are free to enter?
This year, there are several categories that are free to enter, making it easier for a broader range of creatives to participate:
Free Work Categories: Social Good , The Cutting Room Floor
In our Nominations awards: Best Agency to Work For, Best Brand to Work For, Next Gen Talent of the Year, Creative Team of the Year, Director of the Year, Designer of the Year.
Annual 2024 - Gold winner - Ruckus Films - The Boys
10. Do I need to fill out all the fields on the entry form?
Nope, you don’t need to complete every single field.
While more information helps provide context to the judges, not all fields are relevant to every project. The key is to offer succinct, compelling insights that give a clear picture of the story behind your work.
Use the entry form to highlight your creative process, challenges overcome, and the results achieved. Help the judges understand the “why” behind your project - not just the “what.”
Whether you’re a solo designer or part of a global agency, The Annual is your chance to showcase your brilliance and gain industry recognition. By understanding the process, preparing your entries thoughtfully, and telling your creative story, you’ll be setting yourself up for success.
Good luck with your submission—we can’t wait to see what you’ve created!
Submissions Close - 24th April
Late Submissions Close - 29th May
Need some help with your submission? Get in touch with one of our award experts!