AIGA 50 Books 50 Covers of 2023

50 Books | 50 Covers

AIGA's annual 50 Books | 50 Covers competition is turning 100! Starting in 1923 as the Fifty Books of the Year competition, this time-honored competition identifies the 50 best-designed books and book covers of the year. Together, we celebrate powerful and compelling book design and the community‘s most inspired creations.

In the News

AIGA Announces Annual Design Competitions for 2023 Year

Read More

About AIGA 50 Books | 50 Covers

This survey of book design represents perhaps the longest-standing legacy in American graphic design. Beginning in 1923, the Fifty Books of the Year competition was a yearly mainstay of AIGA. As dust jackets became more common, covers were added to the competition. AIGA is delighted to usher in another year of amazing book and cover design.

Even in an era of digital books and Insta stories, AIGA understands the timeless, magnetic power of design to engage readers and encourage them to turn the page. That is why the AIGA 50 Books | 50 Covers competition continues to recognize the best of book and book cover design from around the world. Selections from past competitions have been added to the AIGA Design Archives—one of the richest online resources available to those who practice, study, and appreciate great design—as well as the physical archives at the Denver Art Museum (1980–2012) and at the RBML at Columbia University's Butler Library in New York City. From 2012–2018 Design Observer hosted the competition with AIGA through a joint venture and winners can be seen on Design Observer (2011–2017). Recent winner galleries include: 50 Books | 50 Covers of 2018, 50 Books | 50 Covers of 2019, 50 Books | 50 Covers of 2020, 50 Books | 50 Covers of 2021, and this year's 50 Books | 50 Covers of 2022.

50 Books | 50 Covers Winner つなぐモノ語り / Tsunagu Mono Gatari / Verbindungsstücke

50 Books | 50 Covers of 2022

“For me, there was a greater overall sophistication in book design, with a mix of aesthetically beautiful and graphically brash approaches in the final choices.” —Andrew Satake Blauvelt, Cranbrook Art Museum

Explore the Gallery

Competition Details

    The call for entries open December 12, 2023. All deadlines are at 11:59 p.m. ET.

    Entry Fees
    (per book)

    Early Discount Deadline:
    February 26, 2024

    Regular Deadline:
    March 12, 2024

    Final Deadline:
    April 22, 2024

    AIGA Members

    $75

    $100

    $150

    Nonmembers

    $110

    $135

    $185

     

    Join to save!

    Learn More

    If work is selected by the jurors, an email notification will be sent to entrants of winning work in Summer 2024.

    Juror selections will be published in a collection on the competition website and shared across AIGA channels. Physical copies will be housed at the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Columbia University's Butler Library (RBML) for future generations to enjoy.

    Recognition includes:

    • Showcase in the online Winners Gallery;
    • Official press release distributed to leading industry outlets and media providers;
    • Official digital assets, including competition logo for winners to self-promote;
    • Coverage on AIGA social media channels;
    • Coverage in AIGA newsletters.

    Visit contact information and FAQs. Office hours for support are 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ET Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. ET Friday, (excluding holidays).

    There are three deadlines and member discounts to create multiple pathways for participation while also covering the costs of producing a competition at this scale, including admin, marketing and communications, platform fees, designer fees, and more. By entering early you save more and help us prepare for the judging phase.

    AIGA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to advance design as a professional craft, strategic advantage, and vital cultural force. As the largest contemporary membership association for design, AIGA connects and builds community through awards, advocacy, education, research, writing, and resources for every career stage. All entry fees support AIGA’s programs and move our mission forward.

    Learn more

    Call for Entries Cycle

    Call for Entries Open
    December 2023

    Call for Entries Close
    April 2024

    Earliest Notification
    June 2024

    Earliest Announcement
    August 2024

    Learn More

    As a book designer, book lover, and book collector, I'm honored and thrilled to be returning to the 50 Books | 50 Covers jury this year as its Chair. 100 years is a significant milestone for any competition, but at a time when the future of the book is an ongoing topic, we saw last year the vibrancy and vitality of the book form in the hands of both new and expert designers shaping stories that demanded a broader audience with care and commitment. In our recognition, we not only selected for quality but also relevance to our time — why these books were deserving of this award today, and how offering it could help them go even further in finding passionate readers and audiences. It's been said that 'books make friends' — as much as this is a competition about great objects, it's also hopefully a catalyst for new relationships between publishers, creators, and the public.

    Rob Giampietro

    50 Books | 50 Covers of 2023, Chair

    [field.undefined]
    Call for Entries: AIGA 50 Books | 50 Covers of 2023 identity. The words Add your creation to the stacks in big letters at the bottom and the AIGA logo and the words 50 Books | 50 Covers near the top

    Add your creations to the stacks.

    The AIGA 50 Books | 50 Covers competition recognizes the best of book and book cover design from around the world. Enter today!

    Learn More

    The exciting part about opening any new book for the first time is the power it has to influence your relationship to typography or images—by its placement, position or scale on a single page.

    Kelly Walters

    50 Books | 50 Covers of 2020 Juror

    [field.undefined]

    Building Partnerships With A Vibrant Community

    The National Partnership Program is about leadership, relevance, and impact—with, within, and through design—to build and sustain programs, initiatives, and resources that champion a more contemporary and inclusive profession.