For the first time in its more than seven decades of existence, the competition will utilise jury presidents.

These top creatives from around the world, to be announced shortly, will lead judging for each discipline, guide discussion and have a vote on the work, says the TDC. 

According to the TDC, to be eligible, work must have been produced or published in the 2024 calendar year. The early bird deadline for entry is Friday, 1 November, with entry fees increasing for the regular deadline of Friday, 31 January 2025 and the final deadline on Friday, 28 February.

TDC71 branding by Paprika

Branding for the 2024 competition was created by Paprika, based in Montréal, with fonts generously donated by Klim Type Foundry, in Wellington, New Zealand, says the organisation.

The design concept features intricate patterns using the letters and numbers 'TDC71' as a visual motif, transforming them into a cohesive design where traditional readability is reshaped to achieve a striking visual impact, adds the TDC.  

"This deliberate obscurity is meant to draw viewers in, creating a sense of curiosity and engagement," says Joanne Lefebvre, Paprika president. "The resulting patterns, while abstract, carry a distinct identity that is unmistakable and instantly recognisable. Throughout the campaign, the patterns are applied at various scales and paired with a diverse palette of background colours, introducing a sense of freshness and variability within the system."

By exploring unexpected letter connections, the design evokes other scripts beyond the Latin alphabet, hinting at a universal language of typography. The choice to have the patterns bleed and extend beyond their frames symbolises TDC's mission of reaching out, knitting together different typographic traditions, innovations and communities, says the TDC. 

Competition Details

According to the organisation, TDC71 judges will be announced shortly. Across the three juries, the competition will have native experts for writing systems spanning:

  • Arabic
  • Cyrillic
  • Indic
  • CJK
  • Thai, and
  • African scripts. 

This reflects TDC's commitment to have a greater number of the most appropriate experts judging work for which they have a deep knowledge.

The TDC says that the competition regularly receives entries from more than 60 countries. To make TDC71 as accessible as possible on a global level, the organisation is offering significant regional discounts on entry fees.  

Winners of TDC71 receive a Certificate of Typographic Excellence and digital seal certifying their work is among the world's best of the year. Winning work will also be featured in the highly respected TDC Annual, The World’s Best Typography®, and showcased in eight exhibitions that travel to museums, schools and design organisations around the world, says the TDC. 

TDC71 winners are also part of The One Club's prestigious Global Creative Rankings that chart the world's leading independent creatives, ad agencies, production companies and brands.

The TDC concludes that TDC71 winners will be earning points alongside winners in:

  • The One Show
  • ADC Annual Awards
  • Art Director Club of Europe (ADCE), and
  • ONE Asia Creative Awards.

Individuals are encouraged to enter the TDC71 competition here. 

For more information, visit www.tdc.org. You can also follow TDC on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, or on Instagram.

*Image courtesy of contributor