Dentsu executive and creative leader Yoshihiro Yagi has been named Jury President for the Art Direction category at the 2026 D&AD Awards, marking another major milestone for Asian creative leadership on the global stage.
Currently serving as Growth Officer at dentsu Japan and Executive Creative Director of Dentsu Inc.’s creative collective “zero,” Yagi will lead the Art Direction jury at the prestigious awards program set to take place in the United Kingdom in May 2026. Widely regarded as one of the highest honors in the creative industry, the D&AD Awards celebrate excellence across design and commercial creativity, with its coveted Black Pencil considered among the rarest achievements in advertising and design.
Founded in 1962, D&AD is a global non-profit organization dedicated to recognizing and nurturing creative excellence through its internationally renowned awards and educational initiatives. The 2026 edition will feature 46 categories spanning advertising, design, craft, entertainment, and innovation.
As Jury President for Art Direction, Yagi will oversee the evaluation of work across digital, film, print, out-of-home, gaming, and virtual worlds, assessing overall visual direction, design execution, and creative storytelling. The category recognizes campaigns and creative work that demonstrate exceptional artistry and visual impact.
Yagi’s appointment carries particular significance for the Asia-Pacific creative community, as he remains one of the few creatives from the region to have earned a D&AD Black Pencil — the organization’s highest accolade. Many D&AD Jury Presidents are previous winners, reinforcing the award show’s long-standing tradition of having globally respected creative leaders guide the judging process.
The D&AD Awards’ Pencil distinctions include the Black Pencil, Yellow Pencil, Graphite Pencil, Wood Pencil, and White Pencil, which recognizes projects using creativity to drive positive social, environmental, or behavioral change.
