Cover Design Award

Thank you for enquiring after the 2025 Cover Design Award.

We will be releasing more details on our channels soon. Please note that the Award may not work within its normal timeline this year.

Take a look at the 2024 runners-up and shortlist

Who can enter?

All aspiring designers and illustrators in the UK are encouraged to enter the Penguin Cover Design Award, regardless of higher education status.

We’re looking for UK-based designers and illustrators who haven’t yet had significant experience in a paid creative role – that includes anyone aged 18 or over who is yet to break into the creative industry, students from all subjects and recent graduates.

By significant experience, we mean one year or more (cumulatively) in an in-house or freelancer paid role, as a creative.

See the Eligibility page and the Terms and Conditions for full details of entry requirements.

When do I submit my entry?

The Cover Design Award is currently closed for submissions.

To make the process as close to the way our designers work, once the judges have selected the shortlist, the Art Directors will email the shortlisted entrants with individual feedback and further art direction on their cover designs.

To proceed to the next stage of the competition, shortlisted entrants will need to resubmit their work, taking the Art Directors’ comments into consideration, before the final round of judging. See our submission details for what you will need to submit at this stage.