The 30 Dutch Best Dutch Book Designs 2024 have been announced. A professional jury judged the books on their distinctiveness in terms of content, design, lithography, typography, material, printing and binding.
Striking is the large number of books that are self-published: 7 publications. For the first time, the student jury chose more books than the professional jury: 32 books.
- A total of 269 books were submitted in the Netherlands.
- Almost a quarter of these books (7 titles) were self-published. Three books were published by the initiating artist, photographer or writer/maker: Wacht af by Maaike Koning (design Esther de Vries), Deset! by artist Laura Snijders (design Jules Janssen) and Ursa Major by photographer Paul Cupido (design Akiko Wakabayashi). The Amsterdam club De School published Het altijd (design Beau Bertens).
- The other three books were designed by students: Midas Boering (HKU), Floor van den Bergh (HKU) and Victoria Lum (Werkplaats Typografie).
- Of the 30 books, 6 were printed abroad (Belgium and Germany); Wilco Art Books is the best represented Dutch printer with 12 books, followed by robstolk® (5 books).
- Publisher The Eriskay Connection is the best represented with 6 books, and with it designer Carel Fransen, who is associated with this publisher and responsible for the design of 4 books from the selection.
- For the first time, the student jury chose more books than the professional jury: 32 books. Of these, 13 books are the same as the professional jury.
The Best Dutch Book Designs (professional jury and student jury) are traditionally the focus of the exhibition of the same name at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam in the fall. The catalog will also be published then. The entire selection can be viewed at www.debestverzorgdeboeken.nl. On March 20, the international jury ‘Best Book Design from all over the world’ will announce which books have won the prizes.
The Best Dutch Book Designs are made possible by ASF Goede Doelen Fonds, Pictoright Fonds and IGEPA Nederland, as well as L. van Heek Textiles. The Association of Dutch Designers (BNO) is a loyal partner.
