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Industry Craft Lions

The Industry Craft Lions celebrate the creative artistry, talent and skill required to deliver a beautifully executed solution and bring a creative idea to life.

Introduction

The history of the Industry Craft Lions

The Industry Craft Lions were created in 2018 to celebrate the craft behind creative disciplines like Design, Print & Publishing and Outdoor. This Lion highlights the importance of craftsmanship in bringing creative ideas to life.

Categories dedicated to typography, art direction, illustration, photography and copywriting showcase the different ways in which craft and creativity intersect to engage with audiences.

Since its inception, the Industry Craft Lions has grown in significance, acknowledging how technical expertise plays a crucial role in shaping campaigns that resonate with audiences.

What kind of work can be entered?

This Lion recognises a diverse range of work for its creativity and technical execution, including typography, art direction, illustration, photography and copywriting.

What’s the Jury looking for?

Work that demonstrates exceptional artistry and technical skill in its execution. This may include outstanding art direction and design, with exceptional use of layout, composition, colour and visual design. Creative uses of illustration or photography to visually communicate ideas, whether through still photography, illustrated campaigns, or bespoke artwork. High-quality execution in printed materials such as brochures, posters, and books is also celebrated, with an emphasis on precision in production, from paper quality to finishing techniques. Additionally, work which exemplifies craft in outdoor and spatial design, focusing on the creative execution of physical installations, displays, or experiential designs as well as exceptional use of typography, whether custom-made or expertly applied, is also eligible.

MAGNIFICENT | YOTKAN ANCIENT CITY IN XINJIANG, CHINA | THE NINE, SHANGHAI | BRONZE, INDUSTRY CRAFT LIONS | 2024

The Categories

A. Typography

Design aesthetics and storytelling conveyed through the use of typography.

B. Art Direction

The overall design, direction and visual execution.

C. Illustration

The creative impact of the illustration.

D. Photography

Engagement through creative expression.

E. Copywriting

Creative ideas brought to life through copywriting.

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 is no overall limit to how many times the same piece of work can be entered into Industry Craft.

Exceptions:

  • Single executions of Packaging, Print & Publishing and Outdoor should only be entered into the relevant category. However if they form part of a wider campaign, they will be accepted into Brand & Communications Design.
  • For Standard Print and Outdoor entries, each execution constitutes one entry.
  • For Packaging and Brand & Communications Design entries, whole campaigns should be entered as one entry.

THE GREAT INDIAN DUNK | NBA | LEO BURNETT, DUBAI | GOLD, INDUSTRY CRAFT LIONS | 2024

Previous Winners

The 100th Edition

Cannes Lions 2024 Grand Prix Scholz & Friends, Berlin / Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung / 2024

German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung marked the 100th iteration of its ‘brilliant minds’ campaign with an interview with a 102-year-old Holocaust survivor, Margot Friedländer. ‘The 100th Edition’ resulted in 965,000 interactions and strengthened brand perception.

THE 100TH EDITION | FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG | SCHOLZ & FRIENDS, BERLIN | GRAND PRIX, INDUSTRY CRAFT LIONS | 2024

Why the work won

The Industry Craft Jury awarded this work the Grand Prix for its masterful simplicity and deeply emotive use of imagery, which resonated with viewers on a visceral level. Jury President Kalpesh Patankar described the work as "honest, beautiful, painful, and hopeful," highlighting the emotional depth that was conveyed through its execution.

The combination of artistry and emotional intelligence in the execution elevated the work beyond mere advertising, creating a memorable and deeply moving experience.

THE 100TH EDITION | FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG | SCHOLZ & FRIENDS, BERLIN | GRAND PRIX, INDUSTRY CRAFT LIONS | 2024

Inside the Jury Room: Industry 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 criterion considered during judging will be the execution.

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 Industry 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

Category Specific Questions

DEPARTURES TO COUNTLESS FUTURES | THE HOSHI AWARDS | DENTSU INC., TOKYO | BRONZE, INDUSTRY 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