Applications Open Through 30 December, 2026
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2026

Sometimes you should judge a book by its cover...

Welcome to the Bridgeman Images Book Cover Awards 2026. Celebrating Global Creativity and Excellence in Book Cover Design.

Deadline
30 Dec, 2026
Categories
1. Judges Selections
2. Popular vote

BRIEF

The Bridgeman Images Book Cover Awards offer a unique platform for book cover designers and publishers who licensed one or more images from Bridgeman Images for book cover designs in 2025.

This competition celebrates the best in creativity and innovation, highlighting the dynamic use of historic and contemporary art and images in book cover design. Open to international designers and publishers who licensed one or more images from Bridgeman Images this year, the Awards are divided into judges selections and a popular vote determined by an online poll in January, providing an inclusive stage for showcasing artistic excellence across genres and cultures.

Terms & Conditions
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 13 January 2026, this will consist of the shortlisted covers. All shortlisted entries will be announced on 8 January 2026, with winners announced on 29 January 2026.

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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.

Apply now

Please provide the following details to complete your submission:

Completed Book Cover Image: Upload a high-quality image of the final published book cover design.
‍Bridgeman Images Assets Used: Include the title and/or number codes of the images licensed from Bridgeman Images that were used in the design.
‍Publisher Information: Provide the name of the publisher and the location of the book’s publication.

This information will help us ensure that all entries meet the eligibility requirements and allow us to showcase the creative use of Bridgeman Images in your design. By submitting your entry, you acknowledge and accept all terms and conditions as detailed on this page and in our FAQs.

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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
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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
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Bridgeman
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.
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 13 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.
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AboutFAQs
Celebrate the art of book cover design with the 2026 Bridgeman Images Book Cover Awards, honouring creativity and innovation through the dynamic use of imagery.
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