30th Annual Webby Awards May 26, 2026

Red Antler Builds an Eccentric Visual World for the 30th Annual Webby Awards

The story behind "We Made It" — the theme, the visual world, and the chrome balloons that defined W30.

The Theme

Creating a brand world for the show began with crafting the theme. Every year, the Webbys lead with an anthemic phrase that captures the spirit of the past year while optimistically welcoming the next. Red Antler’s theme for the 30th was “We Made It” — a rallying cry that invited every nominee, winner, and fan to feel like a co-author of the internet’s best. It was a declaration of achievement, an assertion of the internet’s communal nature, a recognition of our shared responsibility for AI, and a subtle wink at the Webbys having made it to 30.


Celebratory Icons

The visual world was intended to feel like one big celebration. Every detail was informed by the theme: “We Made It,” starting with a custom-crafted 3D chrome logo, referencing mylar textures and inflated balloon lettering. This visual language extended into a dynamic framing system that centered the Webby honorees and their milestones. A vibrant palette and bold display typeface anchored the brand, commanded attention, and translated the system across the varied channels where award content lived.


The Visual World

AI As Centerpiece

Because the Webbys are the internet’s favorite party, Red Antler created AI centerpieces for the occasion: a series of delightfully gooey jello molds packed with references to internet culture, nomination categories, and the coveted Webby award itself.


A Peek Behind The Curtain

A big part of the creative brief revolved around the inclusion of AI — both as a reflection of how it's shaping internet culture as well as creativity, at large. We live in a moment where the future is met with equal parts apprehension and excitement. That tension created an exciting visual opportunity for us: to balance 'feel-good' cues like bright colors and balloon-inspired lettering with slightly outlandish, bizarre AI-generated imagery to reflect the unpredictability of what's next.”
— Devry Drosky Creative Director, Red Antler


The 30th Annual Webby Awards Show Opener Video

The work spanned social toolkits, motion guidelines, nominee and winner assets, and a hero video that kicked off the awards night.

In a special nod to the 30th, Red Antler packed the show opener film with easter eggs of the past. Throughout, the audience discovered nods to culture-defining moments and relived iconic 5-word speeches from the Webbys’ past 30 years — from Prince to Kim Kardashian.

Here’s to the next 30.

The 30th was always going to be a milestone, but Red Antler made it feel like a party the whole internet was invited to. Their work captured the eccentricity, the optimism, and the slight chaos of this moment — and reminded us of the best thing about the Webbys — the fact that all of us, together, made something worth celebrating.”
— Steve Marchese Executive Producer, The Webby Awards

About Red Antler

Red Antler is the creative partner shaping what’s next. Built to guide brands through transformation, Red Antler works across strategy, design, and marketing to help businesses define why they matter and put them at the center of every tomorrow. With deep experience in category creation and a multidisciplinary team, the company helps launch products, shape stories, and build brands that drive growth, earn relevance, and inspire lasting obsession. The company has collaborated with category-defining brands such as Hinge, PopUp Bagels, AllTrails, McKinsey, and Ramp.

Media Contact

Cassie Delgado

cassie.delgado@redantler.com

Red Antler Credits

Kiser Barnes

Chief Creative Officer

Devry Drosky

Creative Director

Emily Gerber

Client Director

Annie Kleinbaum

Group Strategy Director

Jackson Bernard

Brand Design Lead

Freddie Hall

Senior Designer

Rafa Kuznicki

Senior Motion Designer

Rocco Xantos

Senior Project Manager

Amelia Brock

Senior Copywriter

Juliana Yu

Digital Designer

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