The Shortlist
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
book Cover
awards
2026
Sometimes you should judge a book by its cover...
For the first time in the history of the Bridgeman Awards, professional expertise and public passion have perfectly aligned. In a remarkable show of consensus, our judges’ top selections mirrored the public vote exactly, placing first and second respectively.
With the judging panel kept entirely unaware of the popular vote during their deliberations, this outcome represents a rare, authentic harmony between critic and consumer, where the expert eye and the fan’s heart see exactly as one.
Winner:
Judges' Selection & Public Vote
Stephanie Hess
“Shy Girl” by Mia Ballard
Published by Run For It (Hachette Book Group)
Image used (Click to view original)
.jpg)
Misse and Turlu, two greyhounds of Louis XV (oil on canvas), Oudry, Jean-Baptiste (1686-1755) / Chateau de Fontainebleau, Seine-Et-Marne, France / Bridgeman Images
"A confident use of typography and image that cleverly captures the zeitgeist. While the cover initially presents a sense of tranquillity, there is something thwarted and subverted about the composition—it is quietly disturbing in a way that lingers long after you’ve looked away"
Second Place:
Judge's Selection & Public Vote
Kelly Winton & Heather VenHuizen
“The Mad Wife” by Meagan Church
Published by Sourcebooks Landmark
Image used (Click to view original)
.jpg)
Fashionable Housewife with Her New Pink Kitchen, 1957 (screenprint), Unknown Artist, (20th century) / Private Collection / Photo © GraphicaArtis / Bridgeman Images
“There is a powerful nostalgia here that speaks volumes. The design smartly captures the inherent darkness of the domestic environment, creating a brilliant conflict between the title and the imagery that is both unsettling and incredibly effective."
Third Place:
Judges' Selection
Emily Mahon
‘A Siege of Owls’ by Uchenna Awoke
Published by Catapult
Image used (Click to view original)
.jpg)
A Beautiful Storm, 2020 (digital), Osinachi / Private Collection / © Osinachi. All Rights Reserved 2026 / Bridgeman Images
"Crazy, bold and entirely fresh. The use of Osinachi’s art creates a powerful, kaleidoscopic patchwork that feels both contemporary and independent. It’s a standout piece of design in which typography and imagery speak with a single, loud voice."
Judging
panel
James Gurbutt
Founder, Corsair
James Gurbutt is founder and publisher of Corsair, an imprint of Little, Brown, Book Group. Before that he was Associate Publisher at Harvill Secker. Originally, he worked in finance, and was Commercial Director at Vintage, a division of Penguin Random House. He writes in his spare time under the name James Henry.
Piers Russell-Cobb
Founder & Managing Director, MediaFund
Piers Russell-Cobb is co-chair and director of Bridgeman Images. Previous roles include deputy chair of the independent book sellers Zwemmers and Philip Wilson Publishers; publicity and promotions director of Heinemann, and for eight years international marketing manager of Thames and Hudson Limited. He founded the media advisory business MediaFund in 1991.
Sophy Thompson
CEO and Publisher, Thames & Hudson
Sophy Thompson is CEO and Publisher of Thames & Hudson, overseeing over 200 new publications a year on the visual arts, cultural history and creative practice, including a thriving children’s list and partnerships with museums and leading brands worldwide. She directs T&H’s international teams in the UK, France, Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Clare Conville
Literary Agent, C&W / Co-Founder & Director, CHEERIO Publishing
Clare Conville is Chair and Founder of C&W and Co-Founder of independent publishing imprint CHEERIO, created with Harriet Vyner and the Estate of Francis Bacon. She has published acclaimed visual and literary titles, sits on the Cob Gallery board, and co-hosts The Curious Society Bookclub at the SaatchiYates gallery.
.png)
Sebastian White
Founding Director, Kellenberger–White
Sebastian White is a British graphic designer and co-founder of Kellenberger–White. The studio is best known for its work in brand identity, wayfinding and exhibition design for cultural institutions, type design, and collaborative book projects with artists. Sebastian studied Textile Design at Central Saint Martins College before completing his MA at the Royal College of Art. Kellenberger–White’s work has received numerous awards, including recognition from the Swiss Federal Office of Culture’s Most Beautiful Swiss Books and the Tokyo Type Directors Club. In 2023, Sebastian was elected a member of the Alliance Graphique Internationale.
BRIEF
Eligibility
Design clients and/or publishers who licensed an image via Bridgeman Images for a Trade or Academic book cover, which has been published through 2025, are all eligible.
Entries can be submitted via the form on the awards website below with a deadline of 30 December 2025. (*All clients who licensed an image for these purposes via Bridgeman Images will be considered provided they complete the submission form.)
Judging & Structure
The awards feature two categories:
1. Judges Selections
2. Popular Vote
An expert judging panel is comprised of; Piers Russell-Cobb (Owner and Managing Director at MediaFund Limited); Sophy Thompson (CEO and Publisher, Thames & Hudson); Clare Conville (Literary Agent, C&W / Co-Founder & Director, CHEERIO Publishing); and James Gurbutt (Founder, Corsair).
Public engagement is encouraged through a digital poll for the Popular Vote category. The digital voting portal for the latter category will be launched on this website on 8 January 2026; with a voting deadline of 15 January 2026, this will consist of the shortlisted covers. All shortlisted entries will be announced on 8 January 2026, with winners announced on 30 January, 2026.
last year's winners
2025
From frogs to photography, last year’s winners were transformative in their use of historic and contemporary art, blending diverse imagery to create book covers that captivated audiences around the globe.
View the 2025 Winners
Winner
Madeline Partner
“Green Frog” by Gina Chung
Honourable Mention
Tim Bisschop
“Dius” by Stefan Hertmans
Honourable Mention
Pete Adlington
“She’s Always Hungry” by Eliza Clark
Popular Vote
Francesco Ceccarelli
"Controculture 1956-1995" by Francesco Ciaponi & Silvia Sfligiotti
.jpg)
Bridgeman
Images
Images
Bridgeman Images is the world’s leading image licensing agency for authentic visual content, giving creatives access to an unrivalled collection spanning fine and contemporary art, museum works, photography, footage and cultural treasures. From iconic historical artists to today’s most exciting creators, our content is carefully sourced, rights-cleared and backed by provenance.
We are more than an archive. Part of a global cultural ecosystem, we connect artists with brands to power extraordinary projects across advertising, publishing, film, fashion and beyond. For over 50 years, clients have relied on us for quality content, deep expertise and straightforward licensing support.
By licensing content with us, you are supporting the arts. Since pioneering the image royalty model in 1972, we’ve paid out over £75m to artists, estates, and cultural institutions worldwide. Independent and ethical, we make the complex simple, so creatives can focus on what they do best.
We are more than an archive. Part of a global cultural ecosystem, we connect artists with brands to power extraordinary projects across advertising, publishing, film, fashion and beyond. For over 50 years, clients have relied on us for quality content, deep expertise and straightforward licensing support.
By licensing content with us, you are supporting the arts. Since pioneering the image royalty model in 1972, we’ve paid out over £75m to artists, estates, and cultural institutions worldwide. Independent and ethical, we make the complex simple, so creatives can focus on what they do best.
Learn More
faqs
Are there any entry fees for participating in the Awards?
No, there are no entry fees. All clients who licensed an image for book cover purposes via Bridgeman Images in 2025 will be considered for the Awards, provided they complete the submission form.
How will the entries be judged?
Entries will be judged based on creativity, innovation, and how effectively they use Bridgeman Images assets in the design. The Judges' Selections will be made by the expert panel, and the Popular Vote will be determined by online public voting consisting of the shortlisted covers.
Why should I enter?
The Book Cover Award is a unique opportunity for artists and designers to showcase their talent on an international stage. Winners benefit from significant industry recognition and the chance to have their work reviewed by a panel of influential figures in the art, publishing, and design worlds. In addition to a monetary prize and a commemorative award, the true value lies in the exposure and the potential for future collaborations that can emerge from the platform.
How does the Popular Vote work?
The Popular Vote is a democratic, global category that invites the public to vote for their favorite shortlisted book cover design. The digital voting portal will be made live on this website on 8 January 2026 and close on 15 January 2026. The cover with the most votes will be awarded the Popular Vote.
Can I enter multiple designs?
Yes, you can submit multiple entries as long as each design used at least one image licensed from Bridgeman Images for a book cover in 2025. Each entry must be submitted separately through the form.
Can I enter if I have not licensed a Bridgeman Images work for my cover?
No, only book covers that feature at least one image licensed from Bridgeman Images within 2025 are eligible for entry. The Awards are specifically designed to celebrate the creative use of our image library in book cover design. If your cover does not include a licensed Bridgeman Images asset, it will not qualify for submission.
Is the book required to have been published in 2025?
The image must have been licensed from Bridgeman Images in 2025, however, if the book is set to be published in 2026 it is also eligible, given permission from the publisher for the cover to be promoted ahead of it's publication date.
How can I get in touch if I have additional questions?
For any inquiries or further assistance, please contact us at awards@bridgemanimages.com.