Cover Design Award

Win a six-month mentorship with a designer in the Penguin Design Studio, as well as a Wacom Intuos Pro Medium tablet and Penguin design books to the value of £100. 

Do you want a career in design or illustration, but are yet to land your first role?  

Do you think you could reimagine the cover of a bestselling book? 

Would you like to experience real book cover design briefs first-hand? 

The Penguin Cover Design Award is your opportunity to take on the role of a book cover designer and build your portfolio.

Our three cover design briefs

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?

All entries must be submitted as a PDF via the submission form, which is open for entries until Wednesday, 28 February 2024 at 14.00 (GMT).

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.

Important dates

Opening date for entries – Tuesday, 5 December 2023

Closing date for entries – 14.00 (GMT) on Wednesday, 28 February 2024

Shortlist announcement – Thursday, 18 April 2024

Closing date for shortlisted final submissions – Thursday, 2 May 2024

Winners announced – June 2024