International Poster Contest 2026 – Theme: POETRY SPEAKS LOUD
Poster for a Poet
Graphic Stories invites all creative minds to participate in the international poster contest titled “Poetry Speaks Loud”, part of the 12th ConFest on Graphic Design and Visual Communication, Graphic Stories, taking 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 posters. To give form and voice to verses that have touched their soul, to poets who have inspired them, whether from their own country or any corner of the world. The choice is free, because poetry knows no borders. 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 carries 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.
Meet Our Jury Panel
The 2026 Jury Committee includes internationally recognized designers and visual communication professionals:
David Carson (USA) – Renowned graphic designer with collaborations for Microsoft, Bose, Nike, and Armani. AIGA Gold Medal awardee.
Shangning Wang (USA) – Senior graphic designer and co-founder of Poster For__, with numerous international accolades.
Jiayan He (USA) – Senior design consultant at UNICEF and co-founder of Poster For__, focused on visual storytelling and social impact.
José Luis Hernández Díaz “Chepe” (Mexico) – Internationally recognized graphic designer and educator with works exhibited worldwide.
Behnam Raeesian (Iran) – Visual artist, curator, and educator with extensive jury experience worldwide.
Aristarchos Papadaniel (Greece) – Director, author, and designer, known for his creative and cultural contributions in visual arts and education.
This diverse and internationally acclaimed panel reflects Graphic Stories Cyprus’s commitment to excellence, inclusivity, and global design dialogue.
For participation details, terms, and submission deadlines, visit: graphicstoriescyprus.com/participation-terms
About Graphic Stories:
Graphic Stories is a non-profit organization that has been organizing the annual ConFest on Graphic Design and Visual Communication in Cyprus since 2015. Through its festival, contests, workshops, and exhibitions, it promotes the value of visual communication and its connection with contemporary society.
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