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Digital Craft

The Digital Craft Lions celebrate technological artistry.

Introduction

The history of the Digital Craft Lions

In 2016 the work submitted was becoming bolder and braver with more complex and creative digital ideas. To benchmark these ideas and celebrate the exceptional technological skill required to bring them to life, the Digital Craft Lions were launched.

The inaugural Jury President for Digital Craft, MediaMonks co-founder Wesley ter Haar, emphasised the importance of Digital Craft saying that “as digital quickly becomes the de facto interface (quite literally) between brands and people there is more at stake.”

The Digital Craft Lions have continued to grow over the years. showing how digital design is vast, wide-reaching and now more than ever driven by user need and point of access. How a digital product performs and functions is just as important now as how it looks and feels.

What kind of work can be entered?

Eligible work may include but is not limited to interactive websites, mobile apps, or e-commerce platforms with outstanding user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design, as well as digital storytelling projects that use multimedia elements to enhance engagement. The Lion also welcomes experiential installations utilising AR, VR, projection mapping, or motion tracking, alongside innovative uses of technology like AI, machine learning, or data visualisation. Gaming experiences, gamified content, and motion graphics with high-quality animation or CGI are also considered, as are accessibility-focused projects that set new standards for inclusivity.

What’s the Jury looking for?

The work should demonstrate design excellence, technical mastery, and originality, focusing on how well the work pushes the boundaries of digital mediums. A seamless user experience (UX), intuitive functionality, and engaging interactivity are important, as is the relevance of the execution to the chosen platform, including responsiveness and accessibility across devices.

The work should also show emotional and aesthetic impact, including the ability to tell a compelling story or leave a lasting impression. Ultimately, the work should combine technical and creative excellence to innovate and inspire within the digital space.

The Categories

A. Form

The overall creative aesthetic value of the work entered in both sound and visuals.

B. Content

The creative use of content, placement and delivery of messages in a digital context.

C. Data & AI

The presentation of data and artificial intelligence used to enhance brand experience.

D. Technology

The value of applied technology as a platform for creative digital content and how it is executed to enhance the user experience.

Eligibility

Work will need to have been executed during the eligibility period of 8 February 2024 – 10 April 2025.

Is there a limit to how many times I can enter?

There’s no overall limit to how many times the same piece of work can be entered into Digital Craft.

DAYS OF HIRAYAMA PERFECT DAYS OFFICIAL SITE | PERFECT DAYS | DENTSU INC., TOKYO | BRONZE, DIGITAL CRAFT LIONS | 2024

DAYS OF HIRAYAMA PERFECT DAYS OFFICIAL SITE | PERFECT DAYS | DENTSU INC., TOKYO | BRONZE, DIGITAL CRAFT LIONS | 2024

Previous Winners

Spreadbeats

Cannes Lions 2024 Grand Prix FCB New York, New York / Spotify / 2024

The creative application of immersive experiences that creatively push the boundaries of technology within digital craft. This could include, but not be limited to, AI, AR, VR, XR, wearable tech and mobile devices, voice technology, video mapping, blockchain technology, gamification, virtual worlds, the metaverse and all other emerging platforms. Does not include prototypes of early-stage technology.

SPREADBEATS | SPOTIFY | FCB NEW YORK, NEW YORK | GRAND PRIX, DIGITAL CRAFT LIONS | 2024

Why the work won

The Digital Craft Jury awarded this work the Grand Prix for its exceptional ability to innovate and push boundaries using old technology, demonstrating that creativity and craftsmanship are not limited to cutting-edge tools. The seamless execution of the work highlighted the creators’ deep understanding and mastery of the medium, proving that even decades-old technology can produce groundbreaking results when approached with ingenuity and skill.

Jury President Kentaro Kimura commended the work, stating, “This achieved an amazing level of craft through the use of decades-old technology instead of advanced technologies like AI.” His remarks emphasise how the project stood out for its unconventional approach, choosing to revisit and reinvent older methods rather than relying on the latest digital advancements. This decision not only showcased exceptional technical expertise but also highlighted the enduring potential of classic tools to create meaningful, impactful work in a modern context.

SPREADBEATS | SPOTIFY | FCB NEW YORK | GRAND PRIX, DIGITAL CRAFT LIONS | 2024

SPREADBEATS | SPOTIFY | FCB NEW YORK | GRAND PRIX, DIGITAL CRAFT LIONS | 2024

Inside the Jury Room: Digital Craft Lions

To hear more from the Jury and how they decided on the winning work, check out the video below.

Entries & Judging

What are the judging criteria?

The main criteria considered during judging will be the execution and experience.

What do I need to provide with my entry?

To enter, you’ll need to complete an online entry form, which can be found on the Cannes Lions entry site. In the ‘Written Explanation’ section, you’ll be asked to provide the Jury with everything they need to know about your work.

You’ll also be able to submit optional supporting materials to provide additional context with your entry.

All case films, films, demo films and original content must be subtitled in English.

Detailed information outlining the entry process can be found on A Guide to the Cannes Lions Awards.

What if I don’t have all the details right away?

Don’t worry – you can fill in the form in any order and save your progress at any time while it’s still in the pending stage. However, please only check out when your entry is 100% complete as no changes can be made to your entry once you’ve clicked “Submit” and “Checkout”.

The Written Submission

Here’s the questions you’ll be asked regarding your work.

To start your entry to the Digital Craft Lions, go to our Awards page.

The Jury will refer to the written explanation you provide throughout the judging process. Our advice is to provide as much relevant detail as possible.

When answering the following questions keep the main element you’re trying to celebrate in mind (e.g. the storytelling, the strategy, the craft, the use of data).

The bullet points under each question are prompts designed to guide your thinking, based on the factors the jury will be considering when reviewing your work. You might not need to use them all, and that’s totally fine. They’re there to help you consider what’s most important in your work.

Questions

THE ENDANGERED TYPEFACE | ANF|WWF & JARDIM ZOOLÓGICO DE LISBOA | BAR OGILVY, LISBON | BRONZE, DIGITAL CRAFT LIONS | 2024

Contact us

Everything you need to know to enter

For more detailed information on how to use the entry site, craft a compelling submission or submit your work we have a whole range of resources.

From Entry Guides that give you a step-by-step overview of the entire process to the Entry Kits that provide all the detailed rules and requirements for each and every category.

Information and advice on how to enter

We are here to help

As Awards Experts, we know the Lions inside out. We can help with:

  • Sharing the updates to the Awards for 2025
  • Offering best-practice advice on how to craft a compelling entry
  • Discussing your work and relevant categories
  • Scheduling regular catch-ups to answer any questions that arise throughout the entry process.

Whether you have a specific query or would like expert advice, get in touch today.

Email: awards@canneslions.com Helpline: +44 0 20 7046 1155