The Creative Industry is losing its Juniors. Don’t let a generation of creative talent pass you by

D&AD New Blood Festival with Adobe: Free annual showcase of the UK’s best graduating creative talent, 30 June and 1 July, Protein Studios, London

D&AD, the global non-profit championing excellence in design and commercial creativity, has announced the return of New Blood Festival, its annual showcase of the best graduating creative talent, taking place on 30 June and 1 July at Protein Studios, London.

The timing could not be more urgent. New research from Lancaster University’s Work Foundation reveals that starter job vacancies have fallen by 49% over the past decade, with associate professional roles, including advertising and marketing, the largest contributor to that decline, down 73% since 2016. Official figures meanwhile show more than one million young people are not in education, employment or training, the highest level in over 12 years. The junior creative pipeline is under more pressure than it has been in a generation.

New Blood Festival is D&AD‘s response. Presented in partnership with Adobe, the free two-day event brings together graduating creatives, educators and industry across exhibitions, portfolio reviews and structured networking.

This year’s festival features work from over 40 university courses, alongside exclusive exhibitions of New Blood Award winners, some of the most rigorously selected emerging creative talent in the country.

The speaker programme runs throughout both days. The team from Mother give a behind-the-scenes account of their Yellow Pencil-winning work. Anthony Burrill talks about his creative influences and how some of his most famous pieces of work were created. Josh Akapo explores how to build a creative career around personal purpose and Seen Studios unpack how to design immersive brand worlds that resonate beyond the visual.

Paul Drake, Foundation Director at D&AD, said: “The creative industry keeps asking where its next generation is coming from, but that’s the wrong question, the talent is there, what’s missing are the entry points. Junior roles are collapsing and too many brilliant graduating creatives are being locked out before they’ve had a chance to prove themselves. New Blood Festival exists to change that dynamic. It’s free because access matters, but it only works if the industry shows up. Studios, agencies, creative directors, this is your moment to meet the people who will define what this industry looks like in ten years.”

Dates: Tuesday 30 June – Wednesday 1 July 2026
Timings: 30 June 10:00–20:00 / 1 July 10:00–15:00 BST
Admission: Free
Location: Protein Studios, London
Register: dandad.org/events/new-blood-festival-2026

Source: D&AD

  Adobe, Agency, D&AD, London, New Blood Festival, UK