International Poster Contest
Participation & Terms
Contest Brief
POETRY SPEAKS LOUD
Poster for a Poet
Graphic Stories invites all the creative people to take part in the international poster contest titled “Poetry Speaks Loud”.
The international contest is part of the 12th ConFest on Graphic Design and Visual Communication, Graphic Stories, that will take place in 2026.
Poetry is the pulse of the human soul. It is the rhythm that turns silence into voice, emotions into images, and words into breath. Just as the poet sculpts language, the designer sculpts light, color, and form. When poetry meets design, a new language is born, a visual, universal language that speaks directly to the heart.
The “Poetry Speaks Loud” contest invites creators to bring poetry into public space through the medium of the poster. To give form and voice to verses that have touched their soul, to poets who have inspired them, whether from their own country or from any corner of the world. The choice is free, because poetry knows no borders; it is our common language. It may be a single verse or an entire poem. What matters is the visual interpretation – the moment when typography gains rhythm, when pause becomes space, and the poet’s voice finds a new form through image. Each poster becomes a hymn to the power of word and image, a bridge between literature and graphic design.
Through this creative process, a global collection of visual poetry emerges – a mosaic of cultures, aesthetics, and voices. Each poster becomes a bearer of cultural heritage, a visual portrait of the language and spirit of its people. Thus, poetry speaks again, louder than ever, through the gaze, the light, and the creative vision of designers.
Eligibility
Professionals in the field of visual communication, graphic design, illustration, fine and applied arts.
(Code: GSCP01)
Higher Education Students (University or College) in the above fields.
(Code: GSCP02)
Higher Education Students in Cyprus (University or College).
(Code: GSCP03). Cypriot entries are automatically included in Category 2 (International Students Category)
High School and Technical School Students in Cyprus.
(Code: GSCP04)
Categories & Awards
Prizes with a total value of €2.000
1. International Distinction for Professional Designers
Prize: Font Package by Parachute Typefoundry, Additional Award by Graphic Stories
2. International Distinction for Higher Education Students
Prize: Font Package by Parachute Typefoundry, Additional Award by Graphic Stories
3. Cypriot Distinction for Higher Education Students
Prize: Font Package by Parachute Typefoundry, Additional Award by Graphic Stories
4. Cypriot Distinction for High School and Technical School Students
Prize: Font Package by Parachute Typefoundry, Additional Award by Graphic Stories
Contest Sponsor
The four top winners (one from each category) will receive their awards from the sponsor and the organizers.
The 50 distinguished participants will receive a Certificate of Distinction, and their works will be presented in the exhibition.
Specifications
1. Dimensions: 50×70 cm (vertical orientation).
2. Format / Resolution: 300 dpi, CMYK, .jpg file format.
3. Mandatory Elements: a) The competition title in English: “Poetry Speaks Loud”, b) The Graphic Stories logo (download link provided).
4. Information required on the poster: a) Poet’s full name, b)Poem title, c)Poet’s nationality, d)(Optional) Year or other copyright-related information, if available.
5. Use of Poems: a) Participants may use poems that are in the public domain, or works with clear reference and credit to the poet.
b) Responsibility for copyright compliance lies entirely with the participant.
7. Required Files: a) Filled-in Participant Form, b) Final poster file following the above specifications.
Submission Procedure
Entries must be submitted electronically via our website
from 10 November 2025 to 28 February 2026.
Each participant may submit up to three (3) posters.
1. Each entry has a participation fee of 10€.
2. An entry is valid only after payment confirmation and provided it aligns with the Terms & Conditions outlined below.
3. Each poster must be submitted separately through the online contest submission process. Participants must attach their poster, the filled-in participant form and pay the participation fee.
2. File naming format:
CodeCategory_Country_Name-Surname_PoemTitle.jpg
Example: GSCP01_Greece_Maria-Livikou_Ithaka.jpg
3. Each file must not exceed 25MB in size.
4. Submissions sent via email or external links will not be accepted.
Terms & Conditions
1. Entries with incomplete information or that do not meet the specifications will not be accepted.
2. Public display or publication of the works is not permitted before the winners are officially announced.
3. Winners will be announced at the exhibition inauguration.
4. The prizes will be given to the winners directly from our sponsors.
5. The first prize in each category is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged.
6. Submissions whose content may be considered offensive, insulting, inappropriate or irrelevant to the theme of the contest will be rejected.
7. The organizers and the jury reserve the right to cancel the competition.
8. Designers’ personal information should not appear on the poster; it will be added later by the organizers.
9. Collaborators, jury members, and creative contributors cannot participate in the contest but may present work as guest designers. This restriction does not apply to volunteers of Graphic Stories.
10. The posters must be original, unpublished, and not previously submitted to any other competition or media.
11. The 50 best posters will be exhibited in two cities of Cyprus (Larnaca & Paphos) – exhibition dates will be announced upon program completion.
12. The winners and distinguished designers grant the right of free use of their project to the organizers of Graphic Stories, with the signature of the participant.
13. The postal cost for sending the commemorative awards of the competition is not included.
14. Valid entries are only those submitted through the Graphic Stories website and with paid participation fee. Entries submitted by any other means, such as email, external links, or other methods, will not be accepted.
15. Upon completion of the contest and the selection of the 50 posters, confirmation will be sent ONLY to the distinguished participants. Participants will not receive any further notice if this is not deemed necessary.
16. A publication will be created which will present this year’s theme and conference proceedings. It will also include the 50 distinguished posters and photographic material from the days of the Conference and Exhibition inauguration.