Penguin Classics Deluxe Editions Awarded Brit Insurance Designs of the Year Award

Penguin Classics Deluxe Editions and Beijing's National Stadium by Herzog & de Meuron have been declared two of the most innovative and progressive international designs from the last twelve months as announced by the Design Museum in London on March 11, 2008.

Penguin Classics Deluxe Editions won in the Graphics category. The judges commented, "The art direction of Paul Buckley and Helen Yentus is a great achievement in commissioning a highly skilled group of illustrators and cartoonists whose creative visions have produced some fantastic atmospheric yet very individual covers with high artistic flair and design integrity." These Penguin Classics Deluxe Editions feature one-of-kind book cover illustrations by a number of leading and internationally renowned cartoonists and illustrators. The artwork was required to encompass the front and back cover as well as the flaps, which provided the graphic artists with a wraparound space where they were able to create an evocative atmosphere. These Penguin Classics Deluxe Editions connect a literary genre on the inside with a cartoon genre on the outside while also featuring the world-class notes and literary and educational extras that the Penguin Classics are known for. The series was art directed by Paul Buckley and Helen Yentus, and Paul also was responsible for the designs of some of the titles. Artists and illustrators featured in the series include Frank Miller, Chris Ware, Julie Doucet, Art Spiegelman, Roz Chast, and Dan Clowes.

Upon learning of the award, Paul Buckley said, "It is a thrill and an honor to be a part of the Design Museum's Designs of the Year. These particular Penguins are a real favorite of mine, and everyone involved-whether from the art side of things or the editorial side-was so enthusiastic from the get go. There were no differences of opinion or visions, just an innate understanding as to how fun these books could be-and in our business it is never easy to talk folks into taking risks... so when it pays off in so many ways it is truly a wonderful thing to be a part of. I think it is important to note that all the artists who created these wonderful covers share this award with me, especially Helen Yentus and Chris Ware, who were the sparks that led to the series... and last but not least, Penguin's publisher Kathryn Court, who saw the potential."

The awards ceremony will be held in London on March 18.

The Design Museum is the world's leading museum devoted to contemporary design in every form from furniture to graphics and architecture to industrial design. It is working to place design at the center of contemporary culture. It demonstrates both the richness of the creativity to be found in all forms of design and its importance.

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