The V&A Illustration Awards celebrate the best illustration published over the last year in the UK. Original artwork from the best-illustrated book, book cover, editorial illustration and student illustrator of the year will be recognised.

The aim is to encourage and celebrate high standards of creativity in the industry. The awards are free to enter and offer some of the most substantial financial prizes for illustration in the UK.

There are three categories:

• Book Cover Design
• Book Illustration
• Illustrated Journalism

Up to three images may be submitted. This may be a sequence as for an illustrated book or may be alternative trials or preparatory work for a single piece such as a commercial illustration. Entries should have a clearly defined illustrative brief, which must be described on the competition entry system. The brief is open. Students may submit work set as coursework by their tutors or they may define their own imagined brief.

There is no entry fee.

Eligibility

Open to illustrators living in the UK or publishing within the UK market. Work published in 2018 are eligible for this year’s awards.

The student category is open to anyone aged 18 and over who has attended a course of study in the UK during 2017 or 2018. This includes non-art courses and short courses.

Prize

The winner in each of the first three categories receives 3,000 GBP (approx. 3,855 USD) and a trophy. The judges also select an overall winner who receives an additional 5,000 GBP (approx. 6,425 USD). Winners may also be commissioned to produce publicity artwork for the Museum.

The winner of the Student Award receives 3,000 GBP and a trophy, while a runner up receives 2,000 GBP (approx. 2,570 USD).

Winners will be announced at the Awards ceremony in May 2019.