Congratulations to this year’s winners!
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The results of this year’s competition were announced in a press release on May 18, 2020. Explore the gallery: AIGA 50 Books | 50 Covers of 2019
The call for entries is now closed. Subscribe here to be notified of the 50 Books | 50 Covers of 2020 competition call for entries in mid-December 2020. Follow @AIGADesign for updates.
AIGA members enjoy a discount on entry fees as an exclusive member benefit. To receive the AIGA member discount, join before you begin.
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. From 2012–2018 Design Observer hosted the competition with AIGA through a joint venture. AIGA is delighted to usher in another year of amazing book and cover design.
This time-honored competition aims to identify the 50 best-designed books and book covers of 2020. The juror-selections from the 50 Books | 50 Covers competition exemplify the best current work in book and book cover design. Entries are open to anyone for books published in 2020.
Application Period and How to Enter to be posted in mid-December.
Entry fees | Early deadline: | Final deadline: |
AIGA members | $55 | $85 |
Nonmembers | $80 | $110 |
Deadlines: 11:59 p.m. Eastern
The call for entries will open on December 15, 2020. The final deadline will be February 18, 2021 (late fees apply).
All deadlines are final. Do not mail books to the AIGA offices; instructions will be provided once you've completed your entries.
Jurors will be announced in January 2021. Meet last year's jurors of 50 Books | 50 Covers of 2019!
Visit the online entry system for deadlines and eligibility, file prep and shipping, fees and payment, and terms and conditions + view the growing list of completed entries once the competition opens.
If work is selected by the jurors, entrants will be notified in Spring 2021. For updates, watch this space and follow @AIGAdesign.
Still have questions? Visit contact information and FAQs. Office hours for support are 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Eastern (Monday-Friday)
Selections will be published on the competition website website. Physical copies will be housed at the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Columbia University's Butler Library (RBML) for future generations to enjoy.
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50 States
Selections
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. Winners from 2011–2017 can be seen on Design Observer.
2019
See the 2019 book and cover selections.
501c3
2018
See the 2018 book and cover selections.
2017
See the 2017 book selections and the 2017 book cover selections.
Press release for the juror selections from the 2017 competition.
View the collection in the AIGA Design Archives.
2016
See the 2016 book selections and the 2016 book cover selections.
Press release for juror selections from the 2016 competition.
View the collection in the AIGA Design Archives.
2015
See the 2015 book selections and the 2015 book cover selections.
50 States Quiz
2014
See the 2014 book selections and the 2014 book cover selections.
2013
See the 2013 book selections and the 2013 book cover selections.
2012
See the 2012 book selections and the 2012 book cover selections.
2011
See the 2011 book selections and the 2011 book cover selections.
50 Shades Of Grey
Selections prior to 2011 can be found in the AIGA Design Archives.
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