Category at a glance

The ICMA-Award has four sections: 1. custom media, 2. books, 3. graphic design, 4. magazines.
Here is the 4th section, Magazines.

This category primarily judges publications that you can also buy on the newsstand or that are sold for a subscription fee. There are also B2C magazines that are sold on newsstands, which can also participate here. Customer magazines that are given to customers free of charge by companies, on the other hand, belong to category 1: Custom Media.

The ICMA Magazines has print and online categories:

Special for the topic of sustainability

Magazines dedicated to the topic of sustainability can participate. On the one hand, journals with a focus on sustainability can be submitted, or on the other hand, thematic focuses in print or online journals on the topic of sustainability.

Main categories:

4.1. Magazines print
4.2 Trade journals print
4.3. Magazines online
4.4. Trade journals online
4.5. Social media projects

Sub-categories:

4.6. Concept
4.7. Cover pages
4.8. Cover and cover story
4.9. Typography – layout
4.10. Photography
4.11. Photo reportage
4.12. Visual storytelling
4.13. Visualisation
4.14. Alternative Storytelling
4.15. Infographics
4.16. Illustration
4.17. Print finishing

In the category 4.1. and 4.3. magazines print and online there is this subdivision:

It may happen that not enough entries are received in all categories. In that case, the jury will make a different arrangement.

4.1.1. Art, architecture, design, music
4.1.2. Car and traffic
4.1.3. Film and TV
4.1.4. Travel and photography
4.1.5. Computers and technology
4.1.6. Parents and education
4.1.7. Women and fashion
4.1.8. Children and youth
4.1.9. Food and drink
4.1.10. Garden and hobby
4.1.11. Men and sports
4.1.12. Lifestyle and Fun
4.1.13. Region, City and Nature
4.1.14. Guidebooks
4.1.15. Non-profit, associations, institutions
4.1.16. Politics and Science
4.1.17. Economy and finances
4.1.18. History

Schedule:

Competition period:
Work created between 1 January 2023 and 31 October 2024 can be submitted.

Start submission period:
1 September

Closing date:
1 October

Submission deadline:
Until 31 October 2023. An additional fee of 20 % will be charged for late submissions.

30 November:
The list of winners will be placed on the website around 30 November: www.icma-award.com

By 15 December:
All participants will receive an individual email notification of their result.
Participants will be able to publish their results from this date.

31 January 2025:
The winning entries will be published on the website.
The certificates will be sent by email.
Award trophies can be ordered for a separate fee and will be produced individually.

What should be submitted?

Print:
Jury members will meet and judge the works on screen. That’s why only Pdfs are needed for the print categories at first. If the jury needs printed copies, we will ask for them. If possible, the Pdfs should be laid out as double pages – “Pasteboard“ or “Spread” – with crop marks.

Online:
Take a screenshot of the start page, provide the link to the project and describe the details if necessary. Works created between 1 January 2022 and 20 October 2023 are eligible.

Social Media:
Document the respective project with screenshots and describe it. You can describe it in a Word document, for example, and then save it as a Pdf. If possible, add a link to the project.

These documents are required:

Please create a folder for each category in which you would like to participate and put the works in it as Pdfs. Name the works with the category number and the name of the publication. The works will then be uploaded in the Upload Centre.

Special Category Sustainability

4.0. magazines or articles on the topic of sustainability
Pdfs of publications, screenshots and links of websites.

Main categories

Print:
4.1. Magazines print
4.2. Trade journals print
Pdfs of two different issues.
The jury wants to see what the publication looks like in the series. That is why two different copies should be submitted, e.g. issue 1 and 3. A single entry fee is due for the two issues. If the publication is new, it is also sufficient to submit one issue.

Online:
4.3. Magazines online
4.4. Trade journals online
4.5. Social media projects
Screenshot of the start page and – if necessary – further screenshots of subpages. Description of the project.

Sub-categories

If you enter with a publication in one of the main categories, you can submit up to 4 parts of this publication in each sub-category free of charge. These are, for example, 4 front pages, 4 cover and cover stories, 4 photo reports, 4 infographics. Publication period 1 June 2020 to 18 October 2021.

4.6. Concept
4.7. Cover pages
4.8. Cover and cover story
4.9. Typography – layout
4.10. Photography
4.11. Photo reportage
4.12. Visual storytelling, alternative storytelling
4.13. Visualisation
4.14. Infographics
4.15. Illustration
4.16. Print finishing
Only Pdf files of the parts of a publication that are to participate in subcategories are required.

Examples of submissions in the categories can be found later in the Call for Entries. If you are unsure, it is best to contact us by email: info@icma-award.com

Participation form

Print categories:
The entry form for each participating work must be completed and enclosed in pdf format. It can be filled in on screen.

Online categories:
Fill in the entry form and provide us with a link to the publication. Upload the form in the Upload Centre. You can also attach screenshots with a description.

Registration and file upload in the Upload Centre

Registration: In the Upload Centre you enter your company details and the details of a contact person for the competition.

Add the entry form as a pdf to each submission.

Pdfs of the publication are required, all pages. If possible, create the pdfs as spreads. In the production of the pdf, this means “Pasteboard“ or “Spread” – with crop marks. It is sufficient if the pdfs are suitable for an image at a height of approx. 10 cm. The pdfs are only used if the publication is awarded.

Upload centre: Uploading up to 700 MB in one step is possible. Please put the submissions all together in one folder and zip them. Then upload the zipped files. For files over 700 MB, simply send several zipped files.

Updating is possible: You can no longer access files that you have uploaded. If you want to submit something later, simply upload it in the Upload Centre. If you want to completely revise the submission, simply upload everything again and note that the old files should be deleted.

Participation fees:

Custom Media: 220 euros per publication. (Custom Media B2B, B2C and Employee Media: The fee includes two different editions).

Corporate Books: 100 euros per book.

Graphic Design: 100 euros per logo, 220 euros per identity, packaging etc.

Magazines: 220 euros per magazine. (Two different issues are included in the fee).

Late submissions: A fee increased by 20 per cent will be charged for submissions between 2 and 18 October.

Payment:

Then transfer the amount within 14 days. The bank details and a Paypal account will be stated in the invoice.

Last update: 26 July 2024

Request an invoice

There are two ways to request an invoice:

– In the Upload Centre, specify the number of submissions and the categories, or
– Request an invoice by e-mail. Please also indicate the number of submissions and the categories. E-mail: mail@icma-award.com

To be able to write an invoice, we also need your exact company address.
Participants from the European Union: We need the tax ID of your company, because it has to be mentioned on the invoice. If you do not have an ATU, please indicate it.

After you have requested an invoice, you will normally receive an invoice by email within 24 hours.

You can pay the invoice within 14 days as a bank transfer or with Paypal.

Certificates and trophies

Certificate as Pdf. A certificate will be issued for each award-winning work. The work is shown on the certificate. The name of the client and the agency or designer will also be mentioned. The certificate will be sent as a pdf and can be printed out by the award winner and used in social media and on the web. This service is included in the entry fee.

Printouts of the certificates. It is also possible to print out the certificate and send it in a folder by post. The shipping costs vary depending on the country. Interested parties will receive a cost estimate in advance.

Award trophy. It is made of plexiglass and has a portrait format of 20 x 15 x 2.5 cm. It has a weight of approx. 900 grams. The text is made individually and is agreed with each customer in advance.

Award trophy. The award trophies are very popular with the winners. Some have one made for the agency and one for the client. It also happens that every staff member on a project gets a trophy as a souvenir. The award trophies are designed identically for all categories, i.e. Gold, Silver, Bronze and Awards of Excellence. The texts are always individual and are agreed with the award winners. Before the trophy goes into production, it is approved by the customer.

Certificates on brushed aluminium. It is possible to print the certificate on brushed aluminium. The plate is approx. 3 mm thick and has a rail on the back so that you can hang it up easily. Format DIN A 3 landscape (height 29.7 cm, width 42 cm). The certificate shines depending on the incidence of light. It fits into a modern ambience and stands out from other award trophies. In detail you can see that the certificate is burnt into the aluminium. The aluminium is horizontally brushed.

Certificates on aluminium with frame. It is possible to print the certificate on aluminium. The plate is approx. 3 mm thick and has a rail on the back so that you can hang it up easily. The background of the certificate is white. Format including frame: Height 31 cm, width 43,2 cm. The certificate has a shadow gap frame made of aluminium, which is 25 mm high.

There are no works in this category yet.

We show here excellent works from previous ICMA Awards. You can use these as a guide when planning your own submissions. The jury reserves the right to place work in a different category. The aim is to find the best category for each work. If you are unsure, you can simply contact us: info@icma-award.com

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. Pdfs of all pages of a publication are required for the competition. They are not allowed to be presented as they are here.

Wir zeigen hier ausgezeichnete Arbeiten aus früheren ICMA-Awards. Daran kann man sich bei der eigenen Planung von Einreichungen orientieren. Bei Unklarheiten können Sie uns auch einfach kontaktieren: info@icma-award.com

Die hier gezeigten Arbeiten sind für die Website aufbereitet und arrangiert worden. Für den Wettbewerb werden Pdfs aller Seiten einer Publikation benötigt. Sie dürfen nicht so präsentiert werden wie hier.

Wir zeigen hier ausgezeichnete Arbeiten aus früheren ICMA-Awards. Daran kann man sich bei der eigenen Planung von Einreichungen orientieren. Bei Unklarheiten können Sie uns auch einfach kontaktieren: info@icma-award.com

Die hier gezeigten Arbeiten sind für die Website aufbereitet und arrangiert worden. Für den Wettbewerb werden Pdfs aller Seiten einer Publikation benötigt. Sie dürfen nicht so präsentiert werden wie hier.

This is a sub-category. Those who participate with a project in one of the main categories 1 to 5 can participate in the sub-categories free of charge. 4 works can be submitted per sub-category. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@icma-award.com.

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. For the subcategories, please submit only the respective pages in pdf format. Please save double pages with bleed marks and as “montage area”. The pages are not allowed to be presented as they are here.

This is a sub-category. Those who participate with a project in one of the main categories 1 to 5 can participate in the sub-categories free of charge. 4 works can be submitted per sub-category. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@icma-award.com.

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. For the subcategories, please submit only the respective pages in pdf format. Please save double pages with bleed marks and as “montage area”. The pages are not allowed to be presented as they are here.

We show here excellent works from previous ICMA Awards. You can use these as a guide when planning your own submissions. The jury reserves the right to place work in a different category. The aim is to find the best category for each work. If you are unsure, you can simply contact us: info@icma-award.com

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. Pdfs of all pages of a publication are required for the competition. They are not allowed to be presented as they are here.

We show here excellent works from previous ICMA Awards. You can use these as a guide when planning your own submissions. The jury reserves the right to place work in a different category. The aim is to find the best category for each work. If you are unsure, you can simply contact us: info@icma-award.com

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. Pdfs of all pages of a publication are required for the competition. They are not allowed to be presented as they are here.

Wir zeigen hier ausgezeichnete Arbeiten aus früheren ICMA-Awards. Daran kann man sich bei der eigenen Planung von Einreichungen orientieren. Bei Unklarheiten können Sie uns auch einfach kontaktieren: info@icma-award.com

Die hier gezeigten Arbeiten sind für die Website aufbereitet und arrangiert worden. Für den Wettbewerb werden Pdfs aller Seiten einer Publikation benötigt. Sie dürfen nicht so präsentiert werden wie hier.

We show here excellent works from previous ICMA Awards. You can use these as a guide when planning your own submissions. The jury reserves the right to place work in a different category. The aim is to find the best category for each work. If you are unsure, you can simply contact us: info@icma-award.com

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. Pdfs of all pages of a publication are required for the competition. They are not allowed to be presented as they are here.

Wir zeigen hier ausgezeichnete Arbeiten aus früheren ICMA-Awards. Daran kann man sich bei der eigenen Planung von Einreichungen orientieren. Bei Unklarheiten können Sie uns auch einfach kontaktieren: info@icma-award.com

Die hier gezeigten Arbeiten sind für die Website aufbereitet und arrangiert worden. Für den Wettbewerb werden Pdfs aller Seiten einer Publikation benötigt. Sie dürfen nicht so präsentiert werden wie hier.

Wir zeigen hier ausgezeichnete Arbeiten aus früheren ICMA-Awards. Daran kann man sich bei der eigenen Planung von Einreichungen orientieren. Bei Unklarheiten können Sie uns auch einfach kontaktieren: info@icma-award.com

Die hier gezeigten Arbeiten sind für die Website aufbereitet und arrangiert worden. Für den Wettbewerb werden Pdfs aller Seiten einer Publikation benötigt. Sie dürfen nicht so präsentiert werden wie hier.

We show here excellent works from previous ICMA Awards. You can use these as a guide when planning your own submissions. The jury reserves the right to place work in a different category. The aim is to find the best category for each work. If you are unsure, you can simply contact us: info@icma-award.com

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. Pdfs of all pages of a publication are required for the competition. They are not allowed to be presented as they are here.

We show here excellent works from previous ICMA Awards. You can use these as a guide when planning your own submissions. The jury reserves the right to place work in a different category. The aim is to find the best category for each work. If you are unsure, you can simply contact us: info@icma-award.com

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. Pdfs of all pages of a publication are required for the competition. They are not allowed to be presented as they are here.

We show here excellent works from previous ICMA Awards. You can use this as a guide when planning your own submissions. If you are unsure, you can also simply contact us: info@icma-award.com

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. For the online categories, a screenshot of the front page and essential subsequent pages is required. A description of the project in English is also important.

We show here excellent works from previous ICMA Awards. You can use this as a guide when planning your own submissions. If you are unsure, you can also simply contact us: info@icma-award.com

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. For the online categories, a screenshot of the front page and essential subsequent pages is required. A description of the project in English is also important.

We show here excellent works from previous ICMA Awards. You can use this as a guide when planning your own submissions. If you are unsure, you can also simply contact us: info@icma-award.com

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. For the online categories, a screenshot of the front page and essential subsequent pages is required. A description of the project in English is also important.

This is a sub-category. Those who participate with a project in one of the main categories 1 to 5 can participate in the sub-categories free of charge. 4 works can be submitted per sub-category. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@icma-award.com.

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. For the subcategories, please submit only the respective pages in pdf format. Please save double pages with bleed marks and as “montage area”. The pages are not allowed to be presented as they are here.

This is a sub-category. Those who participate with a project in one of the main categories 1 to 5 can participate in the sub-categories free of charge. 4 works can be submitted per sub-category. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@icma-award.com.

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. For the subcategories, please submit only the respective pages in pdf format. Please save double pages with bleed marks and as “montage area”. The pages are not allowed to be presented as they are here.

It makes sense to submit cover series here.

This is a sub-category. Those who participate with a project in one of the main categories 1 to 5 can participate in the sub-categories free of charge. 4 works can be submitted per sub-category. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@icma-award.com.

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. For the subcategories, please submit only the respective pages in pdf format. Please save double pages with bleed marks and as “montage area”. The pages are not allowed to be presented as they are here.

This is a sub-category. Those who participate with a project in one of the main categories 1 to 5 can participate in the sub-categories free of charge. 4 works can be submitted per sub-category. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@icma-award.com.

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. For the subcategories, please submit only the respective pages in pdf format. Please save double pages with bleed marks and as “montage area”. The pages are not allowed to be presented as they are here.

This is a sub-category. Those who participate with a project in one of the main categories 1 to 5 can participate in the sub-categories free of charge. 4 works can be submitted per sub-category. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@icma-award.com.

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. For the subcategories, please submit only the respective pages in pdf format. Please save double pages with bleed marks and as “montage area”. The pages are not allowed to be presented as they are here.

This is a sub-category. Those who participate with a project in one of the main categories 1 to 5 can participate in the sub-categories free of charge. 4 works can be submitted per sub-category. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@icma-award.com.

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. For the subcategories, please submit only the respective pages in pdf format. Please save double pages with bleed marks and as “montage area”. The pages are not allowed to be presented as they are here.

This is a sub-category. Those who participate with a project in one of the main categories 1 to 5 can participate in the sub-categories free of charge. 4 works can be submitted per sub-category. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@icma-award.com.

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. For the subcategories, please submit only the respective pages in pdf format. Please save double pages with bleed marks and as “montage area”. The pages are not allowed to be presented as they are here.

This is a sub-category. Those who participate with a project in one of the main categories 1 to 5 can participate in the sub-categories free of charge. 4 works can be submitted per sub-category. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@icma-award.com.

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. For the subcategories, please submit only the respective pages in pdf format. Please save double pages with bleed marks and as “montage area”. The pages are not allowed to be presented as they are here.

This is a sub-category. Those who participate with a project in one of the main categories 1 to 5 can participate in the sub-categories free of charge. 4 works can be submitted per sub-category. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@icma-award.com.

Definition of alternative storytelling: This means that a story is not presented as a closed text, but is broken down into different pieces or sub-points.

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. For the subcategories, please submit only the respective pages in pdf format. Please save double pages with bleed marks and as “montage area”. The pages are not allowed to be presented as they are here.

This is a sub-category. Those who participate with a project in one of the main categories 1 to 5 can participate in the sub-categories free of charge. 4 works can be submitted per sub-category. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@icma-award.com.

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. For the subcategories, please submit only the respective pages in pdf format. Please save double pages with bleed marks and as “montage area”. The pages are not allowed to be presented as they are here.

This is a sub-category. Those who participate with a project in one of the main categories 1 to 5 can participate in the sub-categories free of charge. 4 works can be submitted per sub-category. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@icma-award.com.

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. For the subcategories, please submit only the respective pages in pdf format. Please save double pages with bleed marks and as “montage area”. The pages are not allowed to be presented as they are here.