Ascenders is a fast-growing portfolio-based competition that is dedicated to type and the inspiring up-and-coming designers (individuals or duos) who are elevating the medium.

Entries are now being accepted, with entry fees increasing after the regular deadline of Wednesday, 15 March. The extended deadline is Saturday, 15 April and winners will be announced in June.

Entrants submit projects — typography, use of type, design and lettering — with:
  • short descriptions
  • a statement of their role in the project's creation, and
  • a list of individual credits where applicable.

2023 entries will be judged by a diverse jury of global leaders in the field, including some past Ascenders winners. The 2023 Ascenders jury comprises:
  • Frank Adebiaye, type and document designer in Forthcome, Paris
  • David Barnett, co-owner of Noble Signs, Brooklyn
  • Alia Bright, a self-employed artist and designer in Portland
  • Chris Campe, designer, writer at All Things Letters, Hamburg
  • Marina Chaccur, designer at The Hague
  • Vincent Chan, director, type designer at Matter of Sorts, Naarm / Melbourne
  • Cyla Costa, lettering artist at Cyla Costa Studio, Curitiba (Brazil)
  • Liza Enebeis, creative director, partner at Studio Dunbar / DEPT, Rotterdam
  • Golnar Kat Rahmani, founder, art director at Studio Katrahmani, Berlin
  • Kenneth Kuh, visual designer in San Jose (California)
  • Susana Machicao, brand consultant at Visual Communications and Design, Machicao Design, La Paz
  • Masashi Murakami, graphic designer, art director at emuni, Tokyo
  • Kiel Mutschelknaus, designer, educator from Baltimore / Washington DC
  • Shivani Parasnis, senior designer at Spotify, Baltimore
  • Claudia Rubín, senior designer at The New York Times Magazine New York
  • Tré Seals, founder of Vocal Type, Washington DC
  • Matthew Tapia, lettering and graphic artist at Honolulu, and
  • Li Zhiqian, cofounder, type director at 3type, Shanghai.

The TDC says that in order to make Ascenders is offering a four-tier price structure with significant discounts — of up to 66% — based on the country where the entrant is located. TDC members also qualify for discounts.

2022's Ascenders winners, selected from the highest number of entrants in the competition's history, included 25 talented young creatives from 13 countries and regions. 

Prominent past Ascenders winners include:
  • Au Chon Hin (Macao, 2022)
  • Kevin Cantrell (Mantua, United States of America, 2018)
  • Roxane Gataud (Brussels, 2022)
  • Gemma O’Brien (Sydney, 2022)
  • Juan Carlos Pagan (New York, 2018), and
  • Tré Seals (Maryland, 2018).

"Ascenders is the space to confront yourself and overcome the biggest obstacle: the limited perception that we have of ourselves when we are starting out," says Fer Cozzi, graphic designer and type designer based in Buenos Aires and Ascenders winner in 2019 and judge in 2022.

"This competition isn't about having the perfect portfolio but more about looking toward the future," Cozzi adds. "Ascenders entries should contain conviction, not just show off technical skill. I can't wait to see what this year's winners will show since it will certainly reveal where the discipline is headed."

Ascenders branding and award are designed by Anil Aykan, graphic designer at Barnbrook Design in London and member of the TDC advisory board. The design depicts the 'ascending' creatives by embracing the idea of growth and invasion, with the journey demonstrated by visual metaphors of steps toward further growth and expansion.

For more information, visit www.ascenders.tdc.org. You can also follow the Ascenders competition on Twitter or on Instagram.