The Core77 Design Awards Visual Communications category includes all visual and graphic design, branding and identity projects for print, digital or physical environments. Examples include logos and identity systems, environmental graphics, signage, typefaces, infographics, motion graphics, print design, and advertising.

The Branding & Identity category considers a visual design system meant to reflect the overall values and convey a desired image of a product, company, organization, etc. Examples include logos, custom typefaces, company rebrands, and ad campaigns.

Taamrat Amaize appreciates a definitive point of view. As the Chief Strategy Officer at Collins (Ad Age's 2023 Transformation Firm of the Year), Taamrat works with teams to ensure that their work is guided by a "clear, poignant idea that pierces complacency." Does it stop someone, whether an expert or a layperson, in their tracks and make them think? How does it operate as a system on multiple levels? Those are the kinds of questions this self-described "strategist who doesn't believe in confined thinking" wants to answer for every project.

Taamrat Amaize, Chief Strategy Officer for Collins

As a strategist who "lives for problem-solving," Taamrat looks for new perspectives, favoring "provocative approaches and out-of-category parallels" to construct solutions. With Collins, she brings that lens to established and start-up clients across the technology, CPG, B2B, and B2C sectors.

When considering the current state of design, Taamrat would like to see designers pay more attention to distinguishing "what's new from what's now." In her estimation, the design community is "hyperfocused on drawing from the same (digital) inspiration. If we're all buried in our Instagram feeds, we all become prisoners to the same trends. They will take root and result in work that works because it's familiar."

What does that mean for Core77 Design Awards entrants? In these submissions, Taamrat seeks "craft with an unignorable edge." She wants to understand what the work was meant to do and why and evaluate how effectively the craft helped achieve that objective. "What is the idea this work is meant to embody, represent or assert?" asked Taamrat. "Incredible craft that lacks meaning or depth is easy to ignore."

Studio Matthews wins 2023 Visual Communications category for the Seattle Convention Center.

The 2023 Core77 Design Awards winner in the Visual Communications category was Studio Matthews for its work on the Seattle Convention Center Summit, featuring comprehensive wayfinding and storytelling.

Clinton Carlson Design and University of Notre Dame win the Branding category for client Foundry Field.

Last year's winner in the Branding & Identity category was Clinton Carlson Design/University of Notre Dame for its Foundry Field brand identity project, honoring underrepresented histories and engaging the community on issues of race, representation, and access through the lens of baseball.

We know our jurors are looking for craft with an unignorable edge. So don't let your work be ignored – submit your entry to the Core77 Design Awards.