News / 24 Mar 2026
Visual Communication student shortlisted for Penguin Book Cover Design Award
BA (Hons) Visual Communication
BA (Hons) Illustration
Final year BA (Hons) Visual Communication student Joe Bundock has been shortlisted for the 2026 Penguin Cover Design Award.
The Penguin Cover Design Award is open to any aspiring designers and illustrators in the UK and Ireland who haven’t yet had significant experience in a paid creative role, including anyone aged 18 or over who is yet to break into the creative industry, students from all subjects, and recent graduates.
Entrants are asked to respond to a real book cover design brief by reimagining the cover of a bestselling book. This year’s adult fiction brief was for Terry Pratchett’s ‘Night Watch’, a best-selling Discworld novel that became a Penguin Classic in 2025.
Joe’s concept came from the traditional printmaking artwork of medieval illuminated manuscripts. The style was heavily influenced by the aesthetics of Medieval woodcuts, using linocut printmaking to achieve a similar look. The use of historical styles and methods was employed to visually anchor the book in the fantasy tradition by highlighting a chain of influence and importance, from arguably the genre's starting point, to landmark modern entries such as Terry Pratchett's work.
"Getting shortlisted for the Penguin Design Award means so much to me as an emerging illustrator. It’s given me such a nice confidence boost in my work and is incredibly encouraging to continue to pursue book illustration. The penguin logo has always sat on my shelf as an indicator of quality and it’s brilliant to have my name attached to that in some way."
Joe Bundock, BA (Hons) Visual Communication
BA (Hons) Illustration graduate Eleanor Deutz was also shortlisted in the Children’s Fiction category. This brief asked for a fresh and exciting book cover for ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ by Madeleine L’Engle, a fantasy novel aimed at 9 – 11 year olds.
Eleanor’s design focuses on the evil forces in the book and depicts the control and conformity they are spreading. She was drawn to Madeleine L’Engle’s descriptions of Camazotz, a planet controlled by a dark force named IT, which she has used on the cover.
The first prize winner of each category will receive a six-month mentorship programme with a member of the Penguin Art Department (dates to be confirmed). They will also receive a Wacom Intuos Pro Medium tablet and Penguin design books to the value of £100. The winners will be announced later this month.