Criteria
This opportunity is intended for individuals at the very beginning of their creative careers, including students, those in entry-level roles, and people transitioning into the creative industry. If you have more than one year of professional experience in a creative field, or are already established and moving between creative roles (for example, from art director to photographer), we kindly ask that you do not apply, to make space for those starting out in the industry.
To be considered for It’s Nice That’s Ones to Watch 2026, applicants must comply with one of the below criteria:
Currently in full-time education (college, sixth form, undergraduate)*Currently in part-time/full-time postgraduate study and currently unemployed or in employment outside of the creative industryCurrently in part-time/full-time postgraduate study and in the first year of an entry-level creative roleCurrently unemployed or in employment outside of the creative industry with no more than a year’s experience in the creative industryIn the first year of an entry-level role within the creative industry after educationIn the first year of an entry-level role within the creative industry after switching to a creative career**Work submitted must be individual, not created as part of a partnership or collective. Applicants who are part of collectives may apply if the submitted work is clearly their own.
*You don’t need a degree to apply. If you do have one, graduates from any year are eligible as long as you have no more than one year of experience in the creative industry.
**If you have more than one year of professional experience in a creative field, or are already established and moving between creative roles (for example, from art director to photographer), we kindly ask that you do not apply, to make space for those starting out in the industry.