CSCA Creative Best 2023

When we turn to dust, the work we do often goes with us, so why do we do it? To connect with others. This year’s show recognizes the circle of life within creativity, personally or within a project. The celebration of exploring and having the courage to stay curious.

Enter Your Creative Best

To help us all feel less alone, to feel inspired, to create the possibility of change, and ultimately to live a better life, a better now.

Let’s make something beautiful out of madness

Creative Best is

the annual awards competition held by the Columbus Society of Communicating Arts. Each year, our organization gathers to recognize the outstanding works submitted by professionals and students alike in Central Ohio.

Creative Best is open to CSCA members and non-members living within 75 miles of Columbus. Students enrolled in a school or university located in the state of Ohio may enter their student work completed within an accredited arts, design, business, or communication curriculum. Winners will be honored at our awards show on November 16 at the Vue.

Download Submission Guide

Online Entry Deadline

Thursday, September 21
11:59PM

Submit Online

In-Person Entry Drop-Off

Wednesday, September 20
9AM–1PM

Center for Architecture & Design
50 West Town Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215

Thursday, September 21
5–8PM

King Business Interiors
1400 Goodale Boulevard #102
Columbus, Ohio 43212

Drop off your submission, stay and join us for our Portfolio Review as a reviewer or reviewee!

Online Submission Form

Categories

Animation

“Moving Illustration”: Animated videos, cartoons, animated commercials, educational videos.

Campaign

A set of three or more related pieces from one or more other categories.

Copywriting

Writing in sales, promotional materials, website content, case studies and white papers. Writing in radio ads. Blog posts and articles.

Environmental

Wall graphics, signage, point of sale, interior and exterior design, booths, wayfinding systems, dimensional space design, billboards.

Greater Good

Any piece that was created for the greater good – signage, posters, PSAs, online statements, installations, etc. – that was made to inspire change for the better.

Identity

Brand systems, collection of branded touchpoints, identity launch collateral (business cards, letterhead, swag, etc.). A logo and up to 3 other items may be submitted.

Illustration

Illustration, illustrated typography, hand lettering, or iconography for print, packaging, digital, web, spot editorial and books.

Interactive

Design for websites, apps, digital and publishing, interactive installations, user experience design.

Logo

A single logo and/or word mark on a page. No more, no less. For larger identity systems, please submit in the Identity category.

Motion Design

Moving Graphic Design: motion graphics, kinetic type and iconography, opening sequences, trailers.

Packaging

Graphics and labels, consumer goods packaging, packaging for promotional pieces, other three-dimensional objects.

Photography - Lifestyle

Photographs of people, objects, scenes, environmental portraits, documentary, landscape, brand images, photo illustration, for editorial, print, advertising or photographic series.

Photography - Product

Photographs of people, objects, products, portraits, food, interior, architectural, photo illustration, for editorial, print, advertising or photographic series.

Print - Long-Form

Printed pieces 8 or more pages in length. Periodical and book design, self-promotional print, annual reports, catalogs.

Print - Product

Printed design work that is for sale. Art posters, apparel design, stationary, pins and patches.

Print - Short-Form

Printed work under 8 pages. Cards, invitations and announcements, self-promotional prints, menus, brochures, direct mail.

Social and Digital Media

Content created for digital platforms, including advertising and organic placement. Social media campaigns, TikTok and Reels videos, tweets, email blasts, banner ads.

Video - Long-Form

Over 30 seconds. Live action promotional videos, television ads, educational videos, trailers, demo reels. Focus on footage, editing, cinematography.

Video - Short-Form

Under 30 seconds. Live action promotional videos, television ads, educational videos, trailers, demo reels. Focus on footage, editing, cinematography.

Didn’t Make It

Any piece from any category that was going to be great but was killed off by the client, creative director, budget, etc. Comps, storyboards, and other unfinished work.

Student Campaign

A set of three or more related pieces from one or more other categories.

Student Digital Media

Banner ads, social media content, email blasts.

Student Identity

Logos, logos systems, identity launch collateral.

Student Illustration

Illustration, illustrated typography, or iconography for print, packaging, digital, web applications, spot editorial and books, illustrated poster design.

Student Interactive

Websites, apps, UX design.

Student Photography

Photographs or photo illustration for editorial, print, advertising or photographic series.

Student Print

Packaging, wall graphics, signage, advertising and promotional posters, billboards, art posters, apparel design, stationary, pins and patches, cards, invitations and announcements, periodical and book design, self-promotional prints, menus, brochures, direct mail.

Student Video

Motion graphics, animation or live action video.

Download Submission Guide

Submit Online

Members

Single Entry

Professionals – $55
Students – $15

Campaign

Professionals – $60
Students – $20

Non-Members

Single Entry

Professionals – $65
Students – $20

Campaign

Professionals – $70
Students – $25

Work will be evaluated anonymously by a panel of judges and will be awarded exactly as submitted. Please read the submission guide and rules and email info@cscarts.org with any questions.

AN, IN, MD, SM, VL, VS, STDM, STIN, and STV will be reviewed digitally. All other categories submitted online will be printed on 11x17 paper. In-person submissions will be reviewed as-is, and returned if noted on the submission form.

Join The Community

Become a CSCA member and save on Creative Best entries, event admission, and gain access to members-only events.

Become A Member

Creative Best 2023

Thursday, November 16
6–10PM, 7PM presentation
Vue Columbus

Check back after September 25 for tickets.

Thank You To Our Sponsors

Sponsor Creative Best