The Best Book Design competition was established in 2016 by the International Book Arsenal Festival in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut Ukraine, with support from the Stiftung Buchkunst.
The competition isn’t about the most beautiful covers: the jury evaluates the book as a whole, from typography, layout and paper to printing, considering how all these elements work together to shape the reader’s experience. The competition highlights design as an integral part of the reading experience and gives Ukrainian books to promote Ukrainian literature around the world.
Publishers, designers and authors can submit entries. Eligible books must have been published within the period specified in the competition regulations and must not have been entered in previous editions. Books compete in five categories: Word Book, Art Book, Utilitarian Book, Visual Storytelling and Experiment.
Once submissions close, the jury selects a longlist of up to 45 books. From this, a shortlist of 15 finalists is formed, with three books in each category. The jury then selects five winners, one in each category. One of the five winners is subsequently awarded the Grand Prix.
The finalist books are exhibited at book fairs in Leipzig and Frankfurt, while the winning books represent Ukraine at the international competition Best Book Design from all over the World.
In 2025, the Contest is being held for the tenth time.
Book-winners of the "Best Book Design 2025" Contest