Wolverhampton student aims for prestigious design award

A graphics student from the University of Wolverhampton is hoping her entry for this year’s 'Penguin Random House Design Awards' will see her taking home the prize, after being shortlisted out of thousands.

Penguin Random House is a company that has created thousands of iconic book covers for over seventy years and aims to encourage the next generation of designers.

Lisa J Wilson, who is currently in the final year of her degree, decided to enter the awards’ ‘Adult Non-fiction Cover’ category as part of one of her assignments.

This year’s briefing saw entrants having to design a new, classic cover for Caitlin Moran's book, ‘How to Be a Woman’.

With the finished design needing to feel timeless and classic, whilst at the same time still showcasing the entertaining and often very funny side of the piece.

Lisa’s design focuses on the puzzle posed by the book title and offers a fun yet thought-provoking interpretation of the individuality and uniqueness of women.

In total, 30 people have been shortlisted out of 1600, with the winner from each category having the chance to spend four weeks in the Penguin Random House Design Studios on a work placement.

John Clementson, Subject Leader in Visual Communications said: “This is a tremendous achievement for Lisa and the department.

“Visual Communications subjects have been incredibly successful in this prestigious international competition having had 5 short-listings since 2009, including one winner and one runner-up.

“The entire team is proud of Lisa’s achievement and we wish her well in the finals.”