The DMACC Graphic Design Program is thrilled to host the 8th Annual Iowa Community College Design + Advertising Invitational (ICCADI). Join us as we honor excellence, foster connections, and inspire the next generation of designers and advertisers!

WHAT IS ICCADI?

ICCADI is a premier design competition that showcases and celebrates the best work created by students enrolled in Iowa’s community college Graphic Design programs. The competition rewards students whose projects demonstrate innovative, thoughtful, and effective design solutions in eight categories: Publication, Identity, Packaging, Web and Interactive, Illustration, Outdoor, Poster Design, and new in 2025 – BEST OF SHOW!

Each year, a panel of distinguished local, national, and international design professionals evaluate the entries, with winners awarded cash prizes or valuable industry resources. Top designers will also be featured in a traveling poster exhibit that will tour participating community colleges across Iowa.

To ensure the continued success and growth of this invitational, we rely on the generous support of sponsors to fund student prizes, produce our traveling poster exhibit, maintain the event website, and secure the long-term sustainability of the competition.

Participating Community Colleges

CATEGORIES

01 Identity

A standalone symbol, logotype, or trademark, or a comprehensive brand system. This may include a fully developed campaign featuring multimedia assets such as print materials, websites, packaging, apparel, environmental graphics, and more.

02 Illustration

A singular artwork or a series—spanning flat, dimensional, or digital styles. May include hand lettering, editorial illustrations, and comic designs.

03 Outdoor

Designs created for physical environments, including billboards, wayfinding systems, murals, exterior signage, vehicle wraps, museum exhibits, trade show displays, and point-of-purchase installations.

04 Packaging

An individual piece, collection, or campaign encompassing packaging, labels, shopping bags, direct mail pieces, sales kits, and related materials.

05 Poster

A single printed poster or a series, regardless of size.

06 Publication

Design for print or digital publications, including magazine covers and spreads, annual reports, newspaper layouts, and general editorial designs. Can include single or multiple spreads.

07 Online

Digital experiences such as websites, microsites, app interfaces, game design, as well as VR and AR applications.