HOW magazine has a long history of sponsoring graphic design competitions, which currently include the InHOWse Design Awards, Promotion Design Awards, Interactive Design Awards and the International Design Awards. The HOW Poster Design Awards provides the opportunity for designers around the world to submit entries, ten of which will be featured on the HOW website, receive $150 worth of HOW books and a 1 year subscription to HOW magazine. Winners also receive a graphic to post on their website, announcing their winning status.

Unlike most competitions, there are no categories in which entries must be submitted, the only requirement being their creation between July 1, 2008 and December 1, 2009. Entries must be submitted online in JPG format, no later than December 1, 2009. More information and an entry form is available on the HOW site, which also is displaying the winners from the previous competition.