Exhibition — Sep 28 until Oct 28, 2016

Annual presentation of the most outstanding book designs of the previous year (2016). 

Perfectly produced books, very well-designed books, remarkable books, innovative books, designers cum publishers, self-publishing artists, etc. The submissions for the Best Book Designs 2016 were characterized by a wide variety of excellently designed books. The high average quality made the jury’s task of choosing between the 298 submissions a captivating process.

Sales and revenue are once again increasing in the book trade. This is an encouraging development, because it means that the crisis might be coming to an end, and that the book has survived. It is once again an object of value, also for younger generations, despite the gloomy predictions that have been made about the survival of the book since the rise of the digital era. It is also an encouraging sign for young designers who were trained at various Dutch academies to continue to explore the book as a carrier of information. 

Jury experts: Remco van Bladel (graphic designer), Carolien Glazenburg (curator of graphic design at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam), Yolanda Huntelaar (graphic designer), Freek Kuin (creative director of drukkerij robstolk®), Eelco van Welie (director of nai010 publishers).

Out of a pool of almost 600 submissions from 32 different countries the international jury from the contest Schönste Bücher aus aller Welt awarded three prizes to the Dutch selection of the Best Book Designs in 2016. Namely: the main prize, the Golden Letter, for Ornithology by Anne Geene & Arjan de Nooy, a silver medal for (Un)expected by Peter Dekens, and a bronze medal for Dwars Vers by Emily Dickinson & Edna St. Vincent Millay.

All submissions will be visible on a screen in the exhibition, as well as the choice of a  panel of students.

The jury’s selections are on view as part of a presentation designed by EventArchitectuur, Amsterdam.

Please do not take the copies. Many of the books are available in the museum shop.