Penguin Books has announced the winners of its 2026 Cover Design Award, the annual competition that invites emerging creatives to reimagine iconic titles from its catalogue. Designed to spotlight new talent, the award is open to entrants with no more than one year’s professional experience, with this year’s shortlist made up largely of students, alongside early-career designers and those currently working outside the creative industries.
Participants across two categories were given a fantasy-themed brief, highlighting the continued relevance of speculative fiction for modern audiences. Entrants to the adult fiction category were tasked with reimagining Terry Pratchett’s 2002 novel Night Watch, looking at its moral and political themes as well as its genre.
On the judging panel were Beci Kelly, art director at Transworld, Lee Motley, art director at Penguin Michael Joseph, Rob Wilkins, author and head of the Pratchett literary estate and award-winning freelance cover designer Kishan Rajani.
They gave the top prize to Leeds Art University student Joe Bundock, with Kelly praising “the very obviously hand-crafted work that’s gone into the making of this cover, which is so impressive and great to see in this age of digital. It has a look that feels classic and could be adapted across a whole series”.
Second place went to Sunny Tsang, a student at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, part of the University of Dundee, while the third spot went to contracts manager Peter Goddard. Speaking of the judging process, Rob Wilkins said: “I’m so impressed with how the designers have engaged with the brief and captured the spirit of Terry’s work.”
Elsewhere, in the children’s fiction category, the focus was Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time, from 1962. Judges Anna Billson, art director at Penguin Random House Children’s, Jacqui McDonough, art director at Puffin and Iqbal Hussain, author of the children’s novel The Night I Borrowed Time, handed out top honours to Ivy Watts, a self-employed graphic communication designer.
“The restricted colour palette and deceptive simplicity of the illustrations combine to create an intriguing and engaging cover. The concept carries across from front to spine to back in an effective and cohesive design showcasing a strong design eye and understanding of the target market,” said Billson of Watts’ effort.
Retail assistant Em Kirsten and freelance illustrator and designer Jiazhen Cai were awarded second and third place, respectively.
All winners will receive a six-month mentorship with a member of Penguin’s art department, along with industry tools and book vouchers, offering a valuable stepping stone into the publishing world. The second and third place runners-up will also receive a tablet and Penguin books.
The award, which has been running since 2007, continues to play a significant role in launching creative careers, while reinforcing the importance of cover design in attracting new readers. Recent research commissioned by Penguin underscores that importance, particularly among younger audiences, who are far more likely to be influenced by cover design and to view books as aesthetic objects as well as reading material.
As publishers look to engage the next generation of readers, initiatives like the Cover Design Award demonstrate how thoughtful, contemporary design can breathe new life into classic stories and ensure their continued cultural relevance.
