Today, the organizers of ‘Best Book Design from all over the World’ announced that the Netherlands has won the Golden Letter for the book Ourouboros Wings and the bronze medal for Collapsed Mythologies.
An international jury of experts reviewed 570 books submitted by 33 countries and awarded the highest prize to the Dutch graduation project: Ourouboros Wings by visual artist/designer Benaiah French about the fat bike. The light and tactile design and execution offer a completely different perspective on this phenomenon, which is mainly portrayed negatively in the media. The book was previously chosen unanimously by both the Dutch professional jury and the student jury. The book was printed at the Royal Academy of Art. No kiss (Amsterdam) and Pantheon Drukkers (IJmuiden) were involved in the binding.
About Ouroboros Wings
From the darkness of a containership, the Dutch landscape has been introduced to an intruder—showing up in news and cctv footage or shooting by, known for its unmistaken presence. Hailed by some and despised by others, it challenges the traditions of the landscape, triggering strong emotions and debates, deviding the nation in two. The intruder becomes a myth, symbol, an ugly duckling, something to despise.
The portrayal is media-sensationalised, by politcal, health care and a journalistic narrative of the story directly impact people’s perceptions and opinions on the object. What can a design point of view contribute to the discourse? The object remains to exist in a grey-zone, labelled as ugly, out of proportion and out of place. as well as historical contexts in events of scapegoating, to reflect the cyclical nature of the fear of the new.
Ouroboros Wings aims to deconstruct the myth of the fatbike, turning the oversaturated discourse inside out to analyse the potential of these given labels By looking at the essence, it offers an alternative reading, showing the other side. The story is shaped by the raw materials: the breakdown offers a new chance to reconsider narratives and opinions.
Text and images from the KABK 2025 Graduation Catalogue
The bronze medal goes to Collapsed Mythologies: A Geofinancial Atlas by designer Dayna Casey. The book was printed by Gutenberg Beuys GmbH and published by Page Not Found (NL) and Spector Books (DE). This book delves into the unique, often ecological, language of the financial world. By examining these words, the book shows how stories, images, and metaphors shape our view of economics and how that language influences our real world.
The Netherlands has three books on the shortlist
Catalogue of Stolen Objects, Courtesy of. Design: Mirelle van Tulder; Production: NPN Printing, Van Hees – Patist Boekbinders; Publisher: Roots to Fruits
Rain – Jannemarein Renout. Design: Mainstudio; Production: Alex Feenstra, Pantheon Drukkers, Van Hees – Patist Boekbinders; Publisher: Jap Sam Books
Well, Water Does Not Appear. Design Rudy Guedj; Production Rudy Guedj, Boekbinderij Voetelink; Publisher: Building Fictions
The international awards ceremony will take place on Friday, March 20, during the Leipzig Book Fair, where all winners will be exhibited (along with all entries). Later this year, the exhibition will also be on display during the Frankfurt Book Fair.
The Dutch prize winners are part of the Dutch selection of 33 books, see debestverzorgdeboeken.nl. The catalog is currently being compiled and will be presented at the opening of the annual exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam this fall.
