ADC x Dreamina AI Launch Free AI Visual Design Category
15/01/2026 - New York, USA
Creatives, here's a rare chance to win hardware and cash with zero entry fees. The Art Directors Club (part of The One Club for Creativity) has partnered with Dreamina AI for a new ADC AI Visual Design-Dreamina AI category at the 105th Annual Awards. Winners receive ADC Cubes and cash awards totaling $30,000.
What's new
When ADC launched in 1921, illustration and photography led the show. A century later, the craft has new tools. This category recognises creators using AI as a true creative partner-expanding visual expression without sanding off the human edge.
The brief: Imperfection
Theme: Imperfection. The ask is simple and specific-celebrate the messiness, contradictions, and lived experience that give ideas their bite. Use AI to complement those qualities, not erase them.
Accepted formats include video, motion graphics, animation, or poster.
Dreamina AI: your production engine
Dreamina AI (part of ByteDance) runs on proprietary models built for high-output craft. Seedream generates and refines high-quality 4K visuals from text prompts and up to 10 image references. Seedance handles video generation, and OmniHuman enables AI avatar creation. Think of it as a camera for an imagined world-fast, flexible, and made for iteration.
Judging and prizes
Work will be judged by a dedicated jury of top designers and industry leaders on idea, craft, and execution.
- 1 Gold Cube - $6,000
- 3 Silver Cubes - $4,000 each
- 6 Bronze Cubes - $2,000 each
Total cash awards: $30,000.
Deadline
Free entry closes March 16, 2026. No extension.
Who can enter
Entrants must be 18+.
How to enter (quick steps)
- Register for accounts on both the ADC 105th Annual Awards platform and Dreamina AI.
- After linking, 1,000 credits are added to your Dreamina AI account to generate images and videos for your entry.
- Create your work addressing "Imperfection." Keep your prompts and reference images organised.
- Submit your final entry at adcawards.org.
- Optional: Post your work on Instagram or X with #DreaminaAI #ADCawards #AImperfectionism, then include the post link in your submission to receive an extra 1,000 credits.
Quote
"AI doesn't replace creativity, it inspires it," said Kevin Swanepoel, CEO, The One Club. "The Art Directors Club has spent 105 years honouring the craft behind ideas, and Dreamina AI gives today's creatives a new way to explore imperfection, experimentation, and human expression through technology."
Practical notes for a stronger entry
- Lead with a human truth: pick an imperfection you've lived, not a generic trope.
- Use constraints: limit style, palette, or references to keep coherence while letting the flaws show.
- Show evidence of craft: push iterations, then intentionally keep traces of process-texture, artifacts, or mixed-media overlays.
- Mind output details: test 4K frames early, plan aspect ratios for your format, and keep your prompt stack tidy.
Why this matters
It's free, global, and focused on craft. If you've been experimenting with AI on the side, this is your moment to put intent behind it-and get your work in front of a serious jury.
For full details and entry, visit the official site: ADC 105th Annual Awards.
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