Founded in London in 1962, the D&AD Awards are one of the most demanding, rigorous, and respected international recognitions in the creative industry. Over more than six decades, they have rigorously distinguished the best work produced globally in Design, Branding, Packaging, Advertising, and Communication. The famous Pencils are extremely difficult to obtain. A jury composed of more than 300 of the world’s top creatives evaluates work far beyond aesthetics – assessing conceptual rigor, craft, and cultural relevance. 

 

The 2026 edition recorded a record number of entries, with participation from 86 countries. But only truly exceptional work is recognized. A Pencil is synonymous with creative excellence. 

 

An identity as global as Chef Kiko Martins’ cuisine 

 

For Kiko Martins, cooking is travelling. His table is the destination. His dishes are the result of his journeys through every corner of the world, filled with experiences. Of infinite curiosity. Of the ingredients and memories gathered along the way. In every dish, a piece of the world. 

 

The brief was clear. And demanding. To create a visual identity worthy of his character and trajectory. Of his boundless curiosity. A logotype was not enough. It was necessary to build an identity that breathed his personality and his lived experience. Minimalist. Without ornamentation, yet laden with meaning. An identity that required no explanation but invited discovery. 

 

The creative response was born from a central concept: geographical coordinates as a metaphor for his culinary exploration of the world. The new logotype, “KI°KO ‘ MART.IN’’S”, incorporates the punctuation of coordinates – degrees, apostrophes, full stops. Small elements that transform the Chef’s name into a cartographic reference. It is not merely a name. It is an itinerary of discoveries. Every detail is intentional. Discreet to those who pass by, revealing to those who look closely. 

 

The best brands do not explain themselves. They invite discovery. 

 

For Peter Schmidt Group Lisbon, founded just three years ago with the mission of placing strategic design at the service of Iberian Peninsula brands, this award confirms a conviction – that it is possible to create, from Lisbon, work with relevance on a global scale. And it demonstrates what the agency believes: that the best brands do not explain themselves. They invite discovery. Just like Chef Kiko Martins’ cuisine. Pedro Vilar, Chief Creative Officer, Peter Schmidt Group Lisbon: “This is obviously an incredible recognition of our work. We are enormously proud – myself, and the entire team that made this project possible. And we are especially pleased that this is also a project that contributes to elevating the recognition of Portuguese talent in another creative field. 

 

For a studio founded just three years ago, this award is a confirmation that the bet was the right one, and that the path we have travelled is heading in the right direction. And that, from the Iberian Peninsula, it is possible to reach as far as our ambition takes us.” 

 

The project was developed in collaboration with the agency Stream and Tough Guy.