50 Books | 50 Covers

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.

Call for Entries: AIGA 50 Books | 50 Covers of 2022 identity. A flutter of books floats across the image containing the AIGA logo and the words 50 Books | 50 Covers

In the News

Best Book and Cover Designs of 2022 Revealed

Read More
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

Jurors

We are pleased to announce Andrew Satake Blauvelt, Director of Cranbrook Art Museum, will serve as the chair of this year's competition! Learn more about this year's jurors, including: Ramon Tejada, Rob Giampietro, Renata Graw, and Xiaoqing Wang.

Portrait of Andrew Satake Blauvelt

Juror Chair

Andrew Satake Blauvelt
Portrait of Rob Giampietro

Rob Giampietro
Portrait of Renata Graw

Renata Graw
Portrait of Ramon Tejada

Ramon Tejada
Portrait of Xiaoqing Wang

Xiaoqing Wang

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.

Competition Details

     The call for entries open December 8, 2022. All deadlines are at 11:59 p.m. ET.

    Entry Fees
    (per book)

    Early Discount Deadline:
    January 11, 2023

    Regular Deadline:
    February 1, 2023

    Final Deadline:
    February 15*, 2023

    AIGA Members

    $70

    $95

    $145

    Nonmembers

    $105

    $130

    $180


    *Grace period ends February 22, 2023.

    Join to save!

    Learn More

    If work is selected by the jurors, an email notification will be sent to entrants of winning work in late-May/June 2023.

    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-Friday).

    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


    Despite the challenges facing the publishing industry, book design itself has been flourishing. As the 50 Books | 50 Covers competition approaches its centennial anniversary, the competition remains an important barometer for the field—gauging both the inventiveness and responsiveness of designers.

    Andrew Satake Blauvelt

    50 Books | 50 Covers of 2022, Chair

    [field.undefined]

    Books are intimate. Books are affordable art. They are vessels for information. They become time capsules of human stories. To me, beautifully designed and manufactured books are invaluable objects, and I hold them close to my heart.

    Kimberly Varella, Content Object

    50 Books | 50 Covers of 2021 Juror

    [field.undefined]

    Call for Entries Cycle

    Call for Entries Open
    November 2023 (subject to change)

    Call for Entries Close
    February 2024 (subject to change)

    Earliest Notification
    May 2024 (subject to change)

    Earliest Announcement
    June 2024 (subject to change)

    Learn More

    Resources

    Contact Us:

    Competitions

    Call for Entries: AIGA 50 Books | 50 Covers of 2022 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.

    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]

    Great book design is the conceptual structure that captures and illuminates the editorial content of the author.

    Jennifer Morla

    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.