Alcuin Awards Winners Shortlisted in Leipzig 2026
Two winners from the 2024 Alcuin Society Design Awards were placed on the shortlist at this year’s Best Book Design from all over the World competition in Leipzig, Germany:
Giant Robot: 30 Years of Defining Asian American Pop Culture, designed by Megan Tan and Tracy Hurren
The Undesirables: a bestiary, designed by Courtenay Webber
These two books were among 21 books placed on the shortlist, meaning they just missed out on an award. To be submitted, the book must be a winner of a design award in its home country. This year, there were 570 entries from 33 participating competitions, and 14 books were awarded.
Every spring in Leipzig, Germany, Stiftung Buchkunst (the German Foundation for Book Art) convenes for its international competition, Best Book Design from all over the World.
The jury consists of five independent experts from different nations examining the “total work of art”: the typography, binding, paper quality, and how the material form supports the content. The process is rigorous, moving from a large pool of national winners to a selection of winning 14 titles.
The results are the highlight of the Leipzig Book Fair, where the organization presents its prestigious awards, including the highest honour: the Goldene Letter:
The Winners: Along with the Golden Letter, the jury awards one Gold Medal, two Silver Medals, five Bronze Medals, and five Honorary Appreciations.
The Exhibition: During the fair, both the shortlisted books and winners are displayed in a walk-in exhibition, allowing the public to touch and flip through the pages.
This annual event serves as a vital bridge between tradition and modern innovation, ensuring that the physical book remains a relevant and evolving medium in a digital age.
