Below is a rough overview of the Red Dot Awards schedule each year.
- April: Winners and new shortlists are announced at the Readers Festival
- May: The Red Dot Awards website is updated with that year’s winners and the following year’s shortlists
- May: New longlist started for the following academic year
- September: Red Dot promotion for the current shortlists starts
- September: Red Dot and Readers Festival information is updated on the website for the current academic year
- November: Red Dot Focus Group longlist meetings start
- March to April / May: Students vote on the current shortlists
- March / April: Shortlists for the following year are finalized by the Red Dot Focus Groups
- April / May: Winner and shortlist information is prepared in advance of the Readers Festival