FBF launches €10k illustration award

Frankfurt Book Fair has launched a Global Illustration Award, with a cash prize of €10,000 for the first-prize winner.

The award, which will be run by illustration platform IlluSalon, is divided into the five categories of cover illustration, children’s book illustration, editorial illustration, scientific illustration and theme illustration. All entries must be on the theme of ‘learning to live together’.

Juergen Boos, director of the Frankfurt Book Fair, said: “In today’s visually-dominated world, illustration and design are of increasing value and particular importance in the process of creating beautiful books. With the recent resurgence of print books, recognizing the valuable contribution that illustrations make in the production process is even more significant.

He added: “The Global Illustration Award is a unique award, taking into consideration all forms of illustration, regardless of genre, subject matter and medium.”

The organisers will shortlist 15 entries from each category, one of whom will be crowned a ‘gold award’ winner, receiving a prize of €2,000. There will also be two ‘excellent award’ winners per category, who will get a prize of €1,000 each. One entrant from the competition will be crowned the ‘grand winner’ and win €10,000.

Overall there will be one grand award winner, five gold award winners, 10 excellent award winners and 110 honourable mentions.

The entries will be judged by six industry experts: Aljoscha Blau (illustrator), Andrea Wendt (founder of Agency for Illustrators), Bettina Schulz (editor-in-chief of the ‘novum World of Graphic Design’ magazine), Thérèse Willer (chief curator at the Tomi Ungerer Museum, part of the International Illustration Centre), Till Weitendorf (c.e.o. of Friedrich Oetinger Publishing House), and Xueqian Li (president of the China Children's Press & Publication Group).

Entries can by made until 14th August via the IlluSalon website.

Mingliang Hou, founder of IlluSalon, said: “The significance of these awards, in terms of value and the effect on the global content industry – and the publishing industry in particular – is quite clear. Every aspect of the Global Illustration Awards – the numerous exquisite competing pieces, a highly qualified and experienced judging panel, a fair judging process, and a grand awards party – highlights the awards’ authoritative nature. Indeed, these awards will be a grand occasion for the illustration industry.”