AIGA National Design Center Exhibitions

50 Books/50 Covers of 2007

September 11–November 26, 2008

This exhibition showcases selections from the “AIGA 50 Books/50 Covers” competition, which aims to identify the 50 best-designed books and book covers of the year. Selections were made by a distinguished jury that included Antonio Alcalá, Studio A, Alexandria, Virginia; Marc Blaustein, The New York Public Library, New York; Nancy Ovedovitz, Yale University Press, New Haven, Conneticut and Cheryl Towler Weese, Studio Blue, Chicago. They become part of the AIGA Design Archives, where images, full credits, project statements and jurors' comments for all selections are available.

The exhibition will be on display at the AIGA National Design Center in New York.

Gallery hours:

Monday through Thursday: 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Friday: 11:00 a.m–5:00 p.m.

Exhibition and collateral design: Marc Blaustein, New York, NY
Collateral printing: Precise Continental, New York, NY
Archer typeface: Hoefler & Frere-Jones, New York, NY

Photos of the exhibition

  • 1/23
    Exhibition opening at the AIGA National Design Center, on Wednesday, September 10, 2008.
    Photo: Lydia Mann
  • 2/23
    Guests interacting with the books and music stands.
    Photo: Lydia Mann
  • 3/23
    Guests engaged in harmonious conversation.
    Photo: Lydia Mann
  • 4/23
    Guests catching up over complimentary drinks.
    Photo: Lydia Mann
  • 5/23
    More than 400 guests attended the opening—an AIGA record!
    Photo: Lydia Mann
  • 6/23
    A guest enjoys the inviting, easy access to the books on display.
    Photo: Lydia Mann
  • 7/23
    A dreamland for book lovers!
    Photo: Lydia Mann
  • 8/23
    More happy guests (in the background: Ric Grefé, AIGA executive director, at right, with Scott Santoro, designer and long-time AIGA member and supporter).
    Photo: Lydia Mann
  • 9/23
    Guests discussing a particular book.
    Photo: Lydia Mann
  • 10/23
    A chance to meet new people and catch up with colleagues.
    Photo: Lydia Mann
  • 11/23
    Marc Blaustein, exhibition and collateral designer, and Ann Sappenfield, who assisted him.
    Photo: Lydia Mann
  • 12/23
    Marc Blaustein, exhibition and collateral designer, with Gabriela Mirensky, AIGA director of exhibitions.
    Photo: Lydia Mann
  • 13/23
    Overall view as you walk in the gallery
    Photo: (c) 2008 Peter Peirce
  • 14/23
    The best-designed books of 2007, displayed on music stands to resemble an orchestra formation.
    Photo: (c) 2008 Peter Peirce
  • 15/23
    The selected covers, displayed like notes on a music staff.
    Photo: (c) 2008 Peter Peirce
  • 16/23
    More “covers of note.”
    Photo: (c) 2008 Peter Peirce
  • 17/23
    Information panels about the competition, the jury and AIGA in general.
    Photo: (c) 2008 Peter Peirce
  • 18/23
    More books of note.
    Photo: (c) 2008 Peter Peirce
  • 19/23
    One last look...
    Photo: (c) 2008 Peter Peirce
  • 20/23
    AIGA Design for Democracy book, by Marcia Lausen.
    Photo: Lydia Mann
  • 21/23
    The full gallery of posters is available online.
    Photo: Lydia Mann
  • 22/23
    A selection of Get Out the Vote 2008 posters, displayed on the mezzanine.
    Photo: Lydia Mann
  • 23/23
    Pondering the importance of voting.
    Photo: Lydia Mann