AIGA Announces 50 Books | 50 Covers Winners

Best book and cover designs in AIGA’s national competition chosen by esteemed jurors

New York, NY—AIGA, the professional association for design announced the results of the 50 Books | 50 Covers of 2019 competition. Book designers and publishers entered nearly 800 book and cover designs from 32 countries and this year’s jury recognized submissions that successfully demonstrate design excellence in the book and cover categories. 

The 2019 winning selections will become a part of a permanent, accessible, and historic collection of notable graphic design in the AIGA Design Archives. The books become part of the AIGA collection at the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Columbia University’s Butler Library in the city of New York.

The 50 Books | 50 Covers of 2019 winners can be viewed in the AIGA winner gallery.

The jurors—Michael Bierut, chair, Hilary Greenbaum, Lisa Lucas, and Silas Munro—evaluated each work’s integrated design approach, including concept, innovation, and visual elements such as typography, illustration, and/or information design. Entries were open to books published and used in the marketplace in 2019.

As 50 Books | 50 Covers competition chair, Michael Bierut says, good book design builds a case for sustainability, permitting us to connect with the world in thrilling and relevant ways. “In an increasingly digital world where so many of us are isolated, a well-designed book provides opportunities to share knowledge and create shared experiences,” he said. 

AIGA is committed to uplifting powerful and compelling book design. Beginning in 1923, the Fifty Books of the Year competition became an annual event, and as design morphed over the years and items such as dust jackets became more common, covers were added to the competition. 

“We are delighted to share the winning 50 Books | 50 Covers for 2019,” said Bennie F. Johnson, AIGA’s Executive Director. “Our world has changed since the inception of this competition—and even the judging which took place in New York City on March 9. How we interact with books has shifted thanks to technological and societal advances, but it has not changed the power of a book. The elements that make up the entirety of a book play an important role in how we communicate and share knowledge. This competition honors the best of book and cover designs and I’m proud to be able to share this year’s winners with everyone."

You can view this year’s entries in our online gallery. Visit AIGA’s Design Archive to view juror selections from previous years.