Here is a website where you can see the best designed Estonian books of 2019. The website features the 25 most beautiful books and the five most beautiful children’s books with the jury’s comments.
The most beautiful books printed in Printon:
THE CROSS OF LIBERTY
Compiled by: Taavi Veiler and Indrek Ilomets
Publisher: Aasta Raamat
Jury: Tactful presentation of a complicated historical pictorial material. Good rapport between the design and the solemn contents. Gives the impression of being handcrafted. The medals are reproduced with a refined light-coloured drop shadow. A luxury item for collectors.
MONUMENTS AND POWER. CATALOGUE OF THE OUTDOOR EXHIBITION OF SOVIET MONUMENTS COLLECTED BY THE ESTONIAN HISTORY MUSEUM
Marek Tamm, Jaak Valge, Rita Valge
Publisher: Estonian History Museum
Sales Manager: Karl-Oskar Toovere
Jury: A snug catalogue with good internal rhythm, better on the inside than on the outside. Stays open nicely. The red thread used in the binding makes a pleasant addition. Cover design that hints at the period aesthetics, and ingenious marking of the chapters. Good choice of interior paper.
KALJO PÕLLU: A MYTHOLOGICAL ANCIENT WORLD
Compiled by: Kersti Koll
Publisher: Art Museum of Estonia
Sales Manager: Janne Raavik
Jury: A bold solution for this classic volume – coloured quotes from the artist’s works on the part title. The soft cover helps keep down the weight of this bulky volume.
UNDENIABLY THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CITY. TALLINN IN THE 17TH–19TH CENTURY ILLUSTRATIONS
Compiled by: Ruth Hiie, Larissa Petina, Urve Sildre
Publisher: National Library of Estonia
Sales Manager: Hermo Uibo
Jury: Tasteful and mellow pastel colouring. Clever cover solution and beautiful graphic elements. Fresh, moderately retro, interesting and varied design. Ingenious placement of page numbers.
TIIT PÄÄSUKE. NOSTALGIALESS
Compiled by: Joanna Hoffmann
Publisher: Tartu Art Museum
Sales Manager: Kairi Rosin
Jury: A masterfully executed, impressive art book. Carefully and lucidly considered layout, choice of paper, architectonic and font sizes. The soft cover allows for easier perusing of this massive book. An attractive images section.
Special prize of the Association of Estonian Printing Industry
LEISURE SPACES. HOLIDAY AND ARCHITECTURE IN 20TH CENTURY ESTONIA
Compiled by: Epp Lankots and Triin Ojari
Publisher: Estonian Museum of Architecture
Sales Manager: Karl-Oskar Toovere
Jury: Bold period design. Juicy choice of types, skilful use of interior papers. More Sixties than the Sixties.
2020. aasta kauneimad Eesti lasteraamatud
THE DACHSHUND AND THE GREAT DANE
Kadri Hinrikus
Publisher: Tammerraamat
Sales Manager: Hermo Uibo
Special Prize of the Jury: A hilarious and spirited, idiosyncratic doggy book. The mostly monochromatic illustrations depict the dog breeds with amazing accuracy. Excellently captured distinctive facial expressions.
WHERE DID YOU FIND IT?
Urmas Reinmaa
Publisher: Päike ja Pilv
Sales Manager: Hermo Uibo
Jury: Modern book illustration at its best. The application of trendy design techniques in Estonian children’s books is no everyday occurrence. Adept use of unorthodox colour solutions and raster to create a nice ensemble.
JUHAN THE SKELETON’S ESCAPADES
Triinu Laan
Publisher: Päike ja Pilv
Sales Manager: Hermo Uibo
Jury: A book full of expressive and cool characters. The sassy design binds the text and the somewhat risky colour scheme of images into a strong, well-rounded package. Skilful balancing of black humour and sweet hilarity.
Special prize of the Estonian Children’s Literature Centre
Competitions for the most beautiful books are organized by the Estonian Graphic Designers’ Association, the The Estonian Publishers’ Association, the National Library of Estonia, the The Estonian Children’s Literature Centre and the Estonian Printing and Packaging Industry Association.
