Design and Illustration feature strongly at BolognaBookPlus 2025

BolognaBookPlus (BBPlus) is the European Spring opportunity for general trade adult publishing. This year a light is shone on design and illustration. A new initiative, the Illustration Ambassador, is launched, with Joanna Karpowicz being the first to take the role. Joanna, from Poland, is a prolific author of comics, a painter and an illustrator. A graduate of the Faculty of Painting at the Krakow Academy of Fine Arts – a diploma with distinction in the studio of prof. Leszek Misiak. In her works she bases only on traditional painting techniques. Joanna has had many solo exhibitions in Cracow as well as being featured on exhibitions in Cracow’s National Museum, Polin – Museum of History of Polish Jews, Warsaw, Arsenal Gallery, Poznan as well as abroad in Budapest, Riga and Kaunas. She will be speaking at several design related seminars.

Jackets Off focuses each year on one iconic general adult trade title and considers the various cultural and language iterations. Previous titles have included 1984, The Handmaid’s Tale, and War and Peace. This year’s chosen classic is The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It is fascinating how each region and culture interprets the words between the covers in their jacket design. Jackets Off comprises an exhibit plus a seminar discussing the different designs.

The Folio Society is an independent publisher in the UK, publishing exquisite, illustrated editions for all book lovers. Every book they make is a miniature work of art. On Monday, 31 March at midday, there will be an unveiling of Folio’s exhibition, entitled The Art of Folio, by Anna and Elena Balbusso, the internationally recognized award-winning Italian artist duo based in Milan. This celebration of Folio’s work with book illustrators will be a tantalising taste of a major exhibition taking place at the Society of Illustrators in New York from 1 May to 12 July 2025. The acclaimed and award-winning illustrated book publishers, will also host a series of engaging events, including: The Art of Publishing: The Beauty of Creating a List for the Perfect Bookshelf – A publisher panel exploring the art of curating a timeless collection.

The Indie Author Book Jacket award returns for the second year, celebrating jacket design featured in self-published titles. The winner will receive their award on Tuesday, 1 April at the Illustrators Survival Corner, from Joanna Karpowicz, the Illustration Ambassador.

Alongside the illustration and design focus sits the compelling seminar programme, the popular How to Sell Rights and Understand Licensing in Children’s Books on the eve of the Fair, Sunday, 30 March at the Fiere, and of course the all important networking renowned at all international book fairs.