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Cannes Lions 2025: Design shortlist announced

The number of entries into the Design Lions is on the rise again for the first time since 2022. This year also saw a sharp increase in the number of shortlisted projects, with 104 making the cut in 2025 compared to just 70 the previous year.

While entry numbers are at their highest since the pandemic, they still fall short of pre-Covid levels. The Design Lions, which celebrate visual craftsmanship, reward work that “leave[s] lasting impressions through cohesive, impactful communication,” according to the Cannes Lions website.

The Design submissions make up just a fraction of the 26,900 overall entrants to Cannes Lions 2025. Simon Cook, CEO, Lions, recently commented, “We know that world-class creativity can come from anywhere. For business leaders seeking growth opportunities, the global benchmark provides a unique insight into creativity’s power as a catalyst for meaningful transformation and growth.

“With submissions from across 96 markets – and significant regional growth from LATAM – we look forward to seeing the breadth of groundbreaking ideas from across the world. We’re excited to see the winning body of work that emerges over the next week as our Juries set the benchmark that will define the future direction for our industry.”

Categories particularly relevant to Transform readers include ‘A01 (Brand/Corporate Identity)’, which sees JKR’s brand design for data centre solutions company Centersquare go up against Norwegian creative agency Anti and its project with urban development initiative Kulturhavna.

Elsewhere, Tiffany & Co. and L&C are the sole shortlisted entry in the ‘B06 (Brand Transformation)’ category, recognised for its ocean preservation awareness campaign.

Other categories of interest from this year’s Design shortlist include:

A01 (Brand/Corporate Identity)

CENTERSQUARE and JONES KNOWLES RITCHIE

KULTURHAVNA and ANTI

A02 (Rebrand/Refresh of an Existing Brand)

FOREST CARBON and DESIGN BRIDGE AND PARTNERS

SPOTIFY ITALY and DENTSU CREATIVE

ACCUMULATE and DESIGN BRIDGE AND PARTNERS

IMPERIA and IMPERIA & MONFERRINA / LANDOR

EA SPORTS FC and UNCOMMON CREATIVE STUDIO

ORCHESTRE DE CHAMBRE DE PARIS and LANDOR

A03 (Packaging Design)