Folio wins big at British Book Design and Production Awards

The Folio Society won four awards at the British Book Design and Production Awards (BBDPA) on Wednesday 18th January, taking the prize for every category it was nominated for. 

Folio’s edition of George R R Martin’s A Song of Fire and Ice series took the award for Brand/Series Identity, a limited edition set of Dante’s The Divine Comedy won in the Limited Edition category, Philip K Dick’s Selected Short Stories snapped up the award for Literature while an illustrated edition of Hannah Arendt’s The Origins of Totalitarianism won Scholarly, Academic & Reference Book. 

Tom Walker, publishing director at Folio, said: "We were bowled over by the reaction from the judges—what a thrill! It’s a testament to the brilliant team at Folio that even during those strange pandemic years we continued to innovate and stretch the possibilities of the printed book. The standard of creativity across the board was exceptional. We really are going through a golden period of book design and to be at the forefront of that is a privilege."

Kate Grimwade, production director, added: "We are all absolutely delighted about Folio’s success at the awards. Folio is passionate about exploring dynamic and innovative ways to produce exquisite books. Winning these awards is a recognition of our continued commitment to, and passion for, design and production excellence."

In total, 101 books were nominated across 17 categories, with Kingsbury Press’ Where Excellence is Elevated: 50 Hudson Yards taking the prizes for Book of the Year and Best British Book. The publisher also won an award in the Photographic Books category with Ocean Photography Awards. 

In other categories, Love Brings Love (AZ Factory) won in Self-Published Books; Donald Judd: Artworks 1970-1994 (David Zwirner Books) won in Art/Architecture Monographs; How to Pick a Fight (Nobrow) won in Graphic Novels; The Illustrated Etymologicon (Icon Books) won in Trade Illustrated; Wild and Sweet (Hoxton Mini Press) won in Lifestyle Illustrated; Educational Books was won by The Tree Book (Nosy Crow); Children’s Trade 0 to 8 Years was won by Eye Spy AnimalZ (Patrick George); Children’s Trade 9 to 16 Years was won by Art of Protest: What a Revolution Looks Like (Bonnier Books); and Best Jacket/Cover Design was won by Out of the Frying Pan Into the Fireglo (Empress Litho). The Student category was won by Christopher Potter from the University of the West of England, who took home the trophy for his creative book Battle of the Green.

Charles Jarrold, c.e.o. of the British Printing Industries Federation, said: “The UK book production market continues to go from strength to strength and that’s reflected in the amazingly strong entries to this year’s BBDPAs.  It’s always brilliant to be able to celebrate the best in book production on a special evening with so many stunningly produced books. Well done to all who made it on to shortlists in a competitive field and, of course, the winners on the night. It’s the sector’s mix of design creativity married to production brilliance that makes the UK sector so vibrant.”

Details on the 2023 awards will be released in April.