Yellow Pencils: Why They Won | D&AD Festival 2026
- Date
- Location
- Southbank Centre, London
The D&AD Festival brings together the global creative community for a programme centred around this year’s theme: is creativity dead or alive?
Peek behind the judges’ curtain in our Insight Sessions, roll up your sleeves in hands-on Learning Labs, and soak up wisdom from visionary keynote speakers in the President’s Lectures. Then, celebrate the best of the best at the 'Yellow Pencils: Why They Won' — revelling who won, and why. Endless inspiration.
Tickets now live
D&AD Festival returns, 19–20 May 2026, bringing together the ideas, people and perspectives shaping what’s next. Sessions start from £30
Download the programme and plan your D&AD Festival
Drop in for an hour — or stay all day — and step inside the world of creativity.
Featured speakers
Meet some of those putting creativity on the line
Director
DIVISION
Direction Jury 2026 — President
Global Creative Director
TikTok
Creator Content Jury 2026
D&AD Festival 2026 — Speaker
Media Jury 2017
D&AD Festival 2026 — Speaker
D&AD Festival 2026 — Speaker
Co-Founder & Chief AI Officer
Monks
Director
DIVISION
Direction Jury 2026 — President
Global Creative Director
TikTok
Creator Content Jury 2026
D&AD Festival 2026 — Speaker
Media Jury 2017
D&AD Festival 2026 — Speaker
D&AD Festival 2026 — Speaker
Co-Founder & Chief AI Officer
Monks
Be part of what’s next
Hear from heroes, access creative minds, and get inspired by winning work
How to take on the robots or start a cult brand – dissect industry trends with those who set them.
From keynote speakers and AI accelerators to judge-led Insight Sessions and a Yellow Pencils: Why They Won showcase, the Festival offers a front-row seat to the work, ideas and conversations shaping creativity today.
Discover what it takes to win in your category and what sets a Black Pencil apart.
Hear fresh perspectives straight from the jury rooms, gain practical tools to elevate your practice, and connect with peers from near and far.
New faces, old hands, your next muse…meet everyone you need to know.
Networking opportunities are included with all ticket types, creating space to meet, exchange ideas and build lasting connections throughout the week.
How to take on the robots or start a cult brand – dissect industry trends with those who set them.
From keynote speakers and AI accelerators to judge-led Insight Sessions and a Yellow Pencils: Why They Won showcase, the Festival offers a front-row seat to the work, ideas and conversations shaping creativity today.
Discover what it takes to win in your category and what sets a Black Pencil apart.
Hear fresh perspectives straight from the jury rooms, gain practical tools to elevate your practice, and connect with peers from near and far.
New faces, old hands, your next muse…meet everyone you need to know.
Networking opportunities are included with all ticket types, creating space to meet, exchange ideas and build lasting connections throughout the week.
How to take on the robots or start a cult brand – dissect industry trends with those who set them.
From keynote speakers and AI accelerators to judge-led Insight Sessions and a Yellow Pencils: Why They Won showcase, the Festival offers a front-row seat to the work, ideas and conversations shaping creativity today.
Discover what it takes to win in your category and what sets a Black Pencil apart.
Hear fresh perspectives straight from the jury rooms, gain practical tools to elevate your practice, and connect with peers from near and far.
New faces, old hands, your next muse…meet everyone you need to know.
Networking opportunities are included with all ticket types, creating space to meet, exchange ideas and build lasting connections throughout the week.
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