2020 award-winning books

25 Most Beautiful Estonian Books 2020

The jury of the Most Beautiful Estonian Books competition acknowledged a total of nine adult and children’s books printed at Printon.

25 of which were selected as a result of the assessments provided and discussions held by jury members of different backgrounds on the basis of the competition rules. The jury’s task was to determine the books that were the best in terms of design as well as printing technique.

THE CROSS OF LIBERTY

Compiled by: Taavi Veiler and Indrek Ilomets

Designer: Kalle Toompere

Publisher: Aasta Raamat

Printer: Printon

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

Designer: Marje Eelma

Publisher: Estonian History Museum

Printer: Printon, 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

Designer: Külli Kaats

Publisher: Art Museum of Estonia

Printer: Printon, 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

Designer: Margit Plink

Publisher: National Library of Estonia

Printer: Printon, 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

Designer: Valter Jakovski

Publisher: Tartu Art Museum

Printer: Printon, 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

Designer: Laura Pappa

Publisher: Estonian Museum of Architecture

Printer: Printon, sales manager Karl-Oskar Toovere

Jury:

Bold period design. Juicy choice of types, skilful use of interior papers. More Sixties than the Sixties.

THE DACHSHUND AND THE GREAT DANE

Kadri Hinrikus

Designer: Endla Toots

Illustrator: Elina Sildre

Publisher: Tammerraamat

Printer: Printon, 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

Designer and illustrator: Ulla Saar

Publisher: Päike ja Pilv

Printer: Printon, 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

Designer and illustrator: Marja-Liisa Plats

Publisher: Päike ja Pilv

Printer: Printon, 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