Rules & Guidelines

About the DSVC

The Dallas Society of Visual Communications (DSVC) was founded in 1957 as the Dallas/Fort Worth Art Directors Club. As the Metroplex grew, however, the club broadened its scope to embrace all professionals involved in marketing communication, including writers, photographers, illustrators, broadcast producers, Internet professionals, and the many partners and suppliers who support them. In 1975, the Club officially changed its name to The Dallas Society of Visual Communications (DSVC) — a change that coincided with the emergence of Dallas/Fort Worth as a center of accomplishment in advertising, design, filmmaking, and numerous other facets of visual communication.

Over the years, the DSVC has grown to become one of the largest independent clubs of its kind. Along the way, it has continually sought to elevate the standards of the industry and promote the value that creative professionals add to commerce and the community-at-large.

The Dallas Show

The Dallas Show is the DSVC’s annual professional juried show and competition. Each year, individuals and agencies within the visual creative community across the globe enter their best selected professional work. Recognized work is selected for display and recognition at The Dallas Show, with awards (in the form of light bulbs – bronze, silver, and gold) going to the best work, as recognized by our judges. This year marks the 56th DSVC Dallas Show taking place on Thursday, June 5, 2025.

The Judging Process

The Dallas Show is judged by five nationally recognized creatives from across the country. Judges are asked to select work by category to be included in the show and to award bulbs, with no persuasion or interference from anyone within the DSVC organization.

The number of pieces selected for inclusion in the Dallas Show is at the sole discretion of the judges, as is the number of pieces that will be included in each category. Once the judges have determined which pieces will comprise this year’s Dallas Show, they decide as a group which pieces will receive awards. Judges select bulb winners from the pieces that are chosen for inclusion in the show, and do not award bulbs based on category. Because of this process, some categories may have several winners and some may have none.

Gold, silver, and bronze bulbs are awarded to signify the level of excellence the judges determine a piece to have, and do not represent first, second, or third place in a particular category. In addition to these awards, each of the five judges will also select a Judge’s Choice award, given to the piece that they alone deem to be the most outstanding piece in the show.

For questions about the judging process, contact the Dallas Show Chair, at dallasshow@dsvc.org

Awards and Recognition

Entries selected for inclusion in the Dallas Show will be notified by email shortly after judging. All pieces selected for inclusion in the 2025 Dallas Show will be displayed at the Dallas Show awards presentation and show on Thursday, June 5, 2025. Winners will be announced, their work will be showcased, and awards will be presented. A separate announcement will be made about the event. A full list of bulb winners will be posted to dallasshow.org following the show.

Eligibility

Work published from March 2024 to April 2025 is eligible for entry. Regardless of its name, the Dallas Show is open to all creative companies and individuals, regardless of company location or what market(s) entered work appeared in. Only final, published work may be entered in the Dallas Show. Spec work for a real client, solutions created but not published for a real client, or fictitious work created as exercises or experiments may not be entered. The only exception is the Golden Trash Can category; see the Categories section for more info. Student work cannot be entered in the Dallas Show and should instead be entered into the National Student Show; visit nationalstudentshow.com for details.

Regarding AI Usage

The majority of all submitted work must be created without the use of AI. Any majority in question will be determined by the Dallas Show Chair and DSVC leadership.

Deadlines

All entries must be registered and submitted online before 11:45 pm on Friday, April 4, 2025. See the entry process for more info.

Refund Policy

All entry submissions are final and entry fees are non-refundable.

Entry Process

Registration and Payment

Visit dallasshow.org to register. All entries must be registered and submitted online by 11:45 pm on Friday, April 4, 2025.
Payment can be made at the time of submission using a credit card.
If you wish to be invoiced so payment can be made with a check, a $75 handling fee will be assessed on your invoice, regardless of the number of entries submitted. Here are the instructions to get check payments:
- On the Payment section of the process, click “Save” to generate a link of your order. Save the link by copying or entering your email to have it sent to you.
- Send an email to paula@dsvc.org and Cc dallasshow@dsvc.org
- Email subject should be as follows: Invoice Request for Dallas Show.
- The body of the email should contain any other information you want the Dallas Show to know and the link.
- You will receive an invoice within 5 business day of the request

Hybrid Entry System

While all work must be registered and submitted online, select categories have the option to also mail in physical work for judging to Clampitt Paper. All entries submitted physically must have “For DSVC Judging” written clearly on the outside of the package as well as a print out of your entry registration. Physical submissions will not be returned. For questions or concerns, please contact the Dallas Show Chair, at dallasshow@dsvc.org.

Only the following category’s have the option to submit work physically:

Books/Magazine
Direct Mail/Invitation
Packaging
Posters
Publications

Address package as the following:

FOR DSVC JUDGING
ATTN MEREDITH CLAMPITT
9207 Ambassador Row
Dallas, TX 75247

Entry Fees

Regular Deadline – April 4, 2025 ⇒ $135

DSVC Members get an additional $15 off for every entry. A discount code will be emailed.

For questions about registration, submissions, guidelines, or categorization, contact the Dallas Show Chair, at dallasshow@dsvc.org

Accepted Entries

Notification of accepted entries will be emailed promptly after judging. Due to the high volume of entries, entrants whose work is not accepted will not be notified.

Category Explanation

A detailed breakdown of each category and examples of work for submission is found below. If you have additional questions about submissions, guidelines, or categorization, please contact the Dallas Show Chair, at dallasshow@dsvc.org.

Advertising

Broadcast Video
Commercials or ads aired over television (for radio ads, see “Broadcast Audio” category).

Digital
Web-banner ads (static, animated, pop-ups) and mobile device ads (on smartphones or tablets).

Social
Advertising content, both paid and organic, created for social media platforms (static, sequential, video).

Direct Mail
Print ads delivered directly to mailboxes.

Magazine/Newspaper/Trade Publication
Advertising in editorial, consumer magazine/newspaper, or trade magazine/newspaper.

Miscellaneous
Any work not covered in other advertising categories.

Nontraditional
Unique and experimental forms of advertising using non-standard methods. Please submit as images or videos less than 3 minutes in length.

Video
Paid online commercials, webisodes, etc.

Out of Home
Billboards, ads in transit areas and other location-based media.

Point of Purchase
In-store advertising, displays, or packaging placed next to the product it is promoting.

Poster
Print advertising promoting a brand, event, or message.

Broadcast Audio
Advertisements and promotions aired over radio or podcasts.

Digital Campaign
Digital media such as online videos and banner advertisements entered as a holistic campaign. (Must contain at least 5 pieces that primarily fall under “Advertising” categories, but may include work from “Design” and “Experiential” categories.)

Mixed Media Campaign
A campaign spanning various media entered as a holistic campaign. (Must contain at least 5 pieces that primarily fall under “Advertising” categories, but may include work from “Design” and “Experiential” categories.)

Design

For Sale
Entries for these categories include original works by designers, studios, agencies, printmakers, photographers, and illustrators, produced for sale by the creator (not commissioned by a client).

Paper Goods: Greeting cards, stationary, etc.
Print/Poster: Print design for a brand, event, or message.
Miscellaneous: Any work not covered in other “For Sale” categories.

Annual Report
Report covering an organization’s activities throughout the preceding year. Includes corporate social responsibility environmental reports.

Brochure, Booklet Company Literature
Print or digital informative documents about a company.

Business Papers
Items such as letterheads, envelopes, business cards, etc. for a business.

Environmental
Items such as signage, architectural graphics, and wayfinding. (On-screen applications should be entered in the “Experiential” section.)

Invitation/Announcement
Invitations for company events, gala dinners, annual shows, or other announcements promoted by an organization.

Miscellaneous
Any work not covered in other “Design” categories.

Motion, Animation & Video
Animated work with text, illustration, and/or sound. Commercials should be entered in the appropriate “Advertising” category.

Packaging/Labeling
Boxes or label designs promoting an organization.

Poster
Print pieces promoting a brand, event, or message.

Publication
Entries for these categories include designs for books, consumer or trade magazines, and interactive/digital publications. (Websites should be entered in the “Experiential” section.)

Book | Cover Only: Print or digital front and/or back cover design.
Book | Spread: Print or digital spread(s).
Book | Entire Book: Print or digital design of an entire book.
Magazine | Cover: Print or digital front and/or back cover design.
Magazine | Spread: Print or digital spread(s) of a portion of a magazine.
Magazine | Entire Issue: Print or digital design of an entire magazine.
Newsletter | Cover: Print or digital front and/or back cover design.
Newsletter | Spread: Print or digital spread(s).
Newsletter | Entire Issue: Print or digital design of an entire newsletter.

Self-Promotion
Entries for these categories include projects that are promotions for design studios, ad agencies, printers, paper companies, art schools, illustrators or photographers. Entries would include agency/studio self-promotions, projects created for design organizations and clubs, paper companies, printers, etc. All work that does not fall into the categories below should be entered in the other “Design” categories.

Brochure or Booklet: Print or digital informative documents about the company.
Email: Digital promotional materials sent via email.
Invitation/Announcement: Invitations for company events, gala dinners, annual shows, or other announcements promoted by an organization.
Poster: Print promoting a brand, event, or message.
Wearables: Design on items such as hats, t-shirts, etc. worn on the body promoting the organization.
Miscellaneous: Work not included in other categories. (Example: packaging, calendars, displays, etc.)

Typography
Entries for these categories should include projects in which typography is the primary visual element of the piece(s).

Applied Typography: Print or digital projects that use type as a primary element in trademarks, brochures, posters, books, annual reports, invitations/ announcements, packaging, wearables, etc.
Hand-lettering: Pieces showcasing typography lettered by hand.
Typesetting: Typographic layouts showcasing hierarchy, font choice, spacing, etc.
Typeface Design: Typefaces created as commissioned works or as part of a commissioned project. Submissions must be submitted as a full typeface.
Miscellaneous: Work not included in other categories.

Branding
Entries for this category include projects for a comprehensive identity or branding program. Entries must consist of at least 5 pieces, a majority of which must fall into “Design” categories, but may include work from “Advertising” and “Experiential” categories (This includes business papers, collateral, packaging, signage, a website, and direct mail). If a case study video is entered as the submission, the video should be no longer than 3 minutes.

Branding Campaign: Media including advertisements, retail promotions and services, product design, print collateral, website and digital marketing, video, out of home and guerrilla campaigns—entered as a campaign.
Identity Manual/Style Guide: A brand identity system collected and featured for the purpose of educating others regarding usage.
Logo/Trademark: Work acting as a brand’s primary mark.

Illustration

Illustrations entered in the advertising, animation/ sequential, book, editorial, for sale, institutional and self-promotion categories below must be published.

Motion/Animation/Video
Includes animation, motion, and multi-image projects. Videos should be edited/clipped to 3 minutes or less in length. Longer submissions will be judged by the first 3 minutes of play.

Advertising
Illustration commissioned for advertisements (print ads, outdoor, direct mail, broadcast, digital, etc.).

Design
Illustrations commissioned for print and/or digital pieces that incorporate elements of design.

Self-Promotion
Illustrations—both static and animated—used in printed or digital promotions for illustrators, design firms, agencies, art schools, printers, paper companies, etc.

For Sale
Illustrations created for posters, prints, stationary, greeting cards, licensing/stock, gallery sale, etc for sale by the illustrator or authorized representative/licensee.

Miscellaneous
Work not included in other categories.

Experiential

Interactive pieces that encompass both mobile and desktop apps, as well as augmented/virtual reality, and prioritizes UX/UI as well as appearance.

Mobile App
Interactive applications for use on mobile devices.

Desktop App/Software
Interactive applications for use on desktop.

Virtual/Augmented Reality
Entries for these categories include any projects utilizing artificial environments to immerse the viewer. Please contact dallasshow@dsvc.org for special accommodations or to discuss how to best experience your entry.

Website
Entries for this category include any web projects with pages connected to a URL. All sites must be original work. Websites created using a paid-for template (Squarespace, etc.) will be disqualified.

Self-Promotion
Experiential application used to promote a design firm, ad agency, illustrator, or photographer. Personal websites (blogs, announcement sites, portfolio sites) may be entered.

Miscellaneous
Work not included in other categories.

Photography

Photographs entered in the advertising, book, editorial, for sale, institutional, self-promotion, and video/sequential categories below must be published.

For Sale
Work created for posters, prints, stationary, greeting cards, licensing stock, gallery sale, etc for sale by the photographer or authorized representative/licensee.

Self-Promotion
Work used in printed or digital promotions for photographers, design firms, agencies, art schools, printers, paper companies, etc.

Food/Beverage
Work showcasing food and/or beverage for the use of recipe books, menus, etc.

Lifestyle
Work capturing people in situations or movements to evoke artistry.

Fashion
Work focusing on the display of fashion clothing and items.

Beauty/Cosmetics
Work focusing on beauty and/or cosmetic products.

Product
Work featuring products or packaging.

Portraiture
Work capturing the personality, expressions, or emotions of one or more people.

Transportation
Work showcasing automotive elements as primary subjects.

Architecture
Work showcasing architectural elements as primary subjects.

Animals/Nature
Work showcasing animals and/or nature as primary subjects.

Miscellaneous
Work not included in other categories.

The Golden Trash Can

This is a light-hearted award given to work that was created and presented but was ultimately killed by the client – whether it be in Advertising, Interactive, Design, Illustration, or Photography (Example: Created a rebranding for a bar, but the client went out of business before the items were placed in the business). It’s a fun way for some of our “award-winning” ideas to see the light of day.

Emerging Creative

This award recognizes outstanding emerging creatives within the Dallas community, and is considered for review via nomination by those who work closely with the nominee.

Nominations must include a five-piece mini-portfolio of work that best represents the nominee’s skills. The projects submitted must be work that they played a major contributing role on or were the sole creator of. Must include at least three pieces of professionally published work that would fit into any of the Dallas Show categories, and a maximum of two personal projects* that may or may not fit into one of the previous categories. Student work is not eligible.

Nominations must also include the nominee’s name, year they started their professional creative career, current employer, a paragraph sharing more about themselves and their creative career, as well as a headshot to share at the awards show, if chosen.

If there are any further questions regarding the Emerging Creative category or how to nominate an individual, please send to dallasshow@dsvc.org with the subject line “Emerging Creative.”

*“Personal projects” are defined as work created outside of full-time employment but within the first 5 years of their creative career that fits into any of the Dallas Show categories.