Coinbase wins two Black Pencils

Coinbase's 'Your Way Out' campaign, created by Isle of Any, won two Black Pencils for visual effects and production design. The ad ran during the 2026 Academy Awards and was set in a video game world.

“reserved for work considered truly groundbreaking in its field”

What Coinbase's ad was about

The campaign encouraged people to break away from restrictive financial systems using a video game universe built with traditional craft techniques. It also won the Film Craft Grand Prix at Cannes Lions in June.

The Ordinary debunks beauty marketing

Skincare brand The Ordinary and Uncommon Creative Studio won a Black Pencil for art direction with 'The Periodic Fable,' which replaced periodic table elements with beauty buzzwords to expose harmful marketing language.

AXA adds domestic violence support

Insurer AXA and Publicis Conseil won a Black Pencil for impact with 'Three Words,' which changed home insurance policies to include assistance for people escaping domestic violence. It won the Cannes Lions Creative Effectiveness Grand Prix this year.

Four Black Pencils awarded this year

D&AD's Black Pencil is reserved for work considered truly groundbreaking. The four winners were announced at a ceremony in London on September 23, twenty twenty-six.

Agency and brand awards announced

Uncommon Creative Studio won Advertising Agency of the Year, Isle of Any won Independent Agency of the Year, and Apple was named Brand of the Year. Irma Boom, the Dutch graphic designer known as the queen of books, received the President's Award.