Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Student shortlisted for prestigious Penguin books award
Craig Cox, who is studying for a BA (Hons) in Graphic Arts and Design, is one of just ten students from across the UK who made the shortlist which puts him in the running to win a £1,000 cash prize and a design placement with the UK's biggest book publisher.
The 2014 Penguin Random House Design Award, which comprises the Puffin Children's Prize and Penguin Adult Prize, received more than 1,100 entries from aspiring designers across the UK.
Craig, who is 21 years old and originally from Birmingham, took on the challenge of designing S E Hinton's coming-of-age novel The Outsiders and will be judged by Penguin Random House UK Children's Managing Director Francesca Dow and Art Director Anna Billson with journalist Lucy Mangan and Charlie and Lola author-illustrator Lauren Child. The winner will be announced on Wednesday 18 June.
Craig said: "I heard about the award through the Leeds Met website. I wanted to challenge myself and try something new, so I thought I'd give it a go. Penguin is a giant in the publishing world and I am over the moon to be shortlisted for a competition like this. I realise that this is a great opportunity for me and I hope to take everything I can from the experience and gain some useful knowledge about working in the design industry. "
Tom Weldon, CEO, Penguin Random House UK, added: "Standout cover design is an integral part of the success of a book and Penguin Random House has created thousands of iconic book covers throughout the years. We value creativity and design incredibly highly and started the Penguin Random House Design Award to encourage the next generation of designers to use their amazing talents to help us tell our stories. I am always impressed with the quality of submissions and this year is no exception so our judges will have a tough job picking their winners."
Now in its seventh year, the Design Award offers students on an art or design course at HND or degree level exposure to and guidance from some of the publishing industry's leading lights with the challenge to design a cover for a selected adult or children's book. Penguin Art Directors give shortlisted entrants feedback and further art direction on their cover submissions and invite them to resubmit their work by May 19th, taking all the comments on board, before the final round of judging.