History of ABDA
At the end of 2013, the Australian Publishers Association (APA) announced it would no longer host the annual Book Design Awards after doing so for 61 consecutive years. The annual awards have long been the singular gathering for designers and our associates – publishers, editors, typesetters, printers and other collaborators – to discuss, critique and revel in exceptional book design. At a time when much of our collaboration happens via email, coming together in person is an important part of maintaining this productive and collegial community. For the longest running design award in Australia to end so unceremoniously would have been a profound loss for the publishing community.
So it was that eight designers and a business person formed a committee on a volunteer basis to build a new non-profit host organisation. On 21 March 2014 the group was officially incorporated as Australian Book Designers Association Inc.
With generous support from our founding sponsors, the inaugural ABDA-run awards were held on 22 August 2014 alongside the Melbourne Writers Festival, followed by 2015 awards in May alongside the Sydney Writers’ Festival.
The egg of the awards soon became the chicken of the Association. A design-led association taking over the awards provided an opportunity to reimagine how the awards were structured and run, but also what else the design community might need. Discussions around ABDA’s purpose led to ambitious ideas about involving the publishing design community. The resulting mission statement extends beyond a once-a-year award hosting role.
Hall of Fame
The Hall of Fame award has been presented periodically to a nominated designer whose body of work and role in the book industry have made a significant contribution to the standards of book design in Australia. The Hall of Fame recipients are listed below.
Deb Brash Emerging Designer of the Year
The Emerging Designer of the Year award, previously titled Young Designer of the Year, is presented annually at the Australian Book Design Awards. To be considered for Emerging Designer of the Year the applicant must have no greater than 5 years experience working as a book designer.
In 2021 the Emerging Designer of the Year was renamed The Deb Brash Emerging Designer of the Year in honour of the late Deborah Brash who passed away in 2020. A Hall of Fame Inductee, Deb was Art Director at Penguin Australia for almost a decade, helping to shape the careers of many young book designers. She was also a pivotal founding member of ABDA acting as our administrator during our fledgling year. Deb will be missed and forever remembered for her legacy in the Australian Publishing industry. Vale Deb.
2026
2025
2024
2023
2022
Sponsored by Penguin Random House Australia
2021
Sponsored by Penguin Random House Australia
2020
Sponsored by Penguin Random House Australia
2019
Sponsored by Penguin Random House Australia
2018
Sponsored by Penguin Random House Australia
2017
Sponsored by Penguin Random House Australia
2016
Sponsored by Penguin Random House Australia
2015
Sponsored by Penguin Random House Australia
2014
Sponsored by Penguin Random House Australia
2013
Sponsored by Hachette Australia
2012
Sponsored by Hachette Australia
2011
Sponsored by Hachette Australia
2010
Sponsored by Hachette Australia
2009
Sponsored by Hachette Australia
2008
Sponsored by Hachette Livre Australia
2007
Sponsored by Hachette Livre Australia
2006
Sponsored by Hachette Livre Australia
2005
2004
Sponsored by Hachette Livre Australia
2003
Sponsored by Hodder Headline
2002
Sponsored by Hodder Headline
2001
2000
Sponsored by Lonely Planet
1999
Sponsored by Lonely Planet
1998
Sponsored by Lonely Planet
1997
Sponsored by The Australian Book Connection
1996
Sponsored by Reader's Digest
1995
Sponsored by Reader's Digest
1994
Sponsored by Reader's Digest
1993
1992
Sponsored by Reader's Digest
1991
Sponsored by Reader's Digest
1990
Sponsored by Reader's Digest
1989
1988
Sponsored by Weldon International
1987
Sponsored by Weldon Hardie
1986
Sponsored by Weldon Hardie
1985
Sponsored by Weldon Hardie
1984
1983
Past Committees
2014/2015
Alex Ross (President)
Zoë Sadokierski (Vice President)
W.H. Chong (Secretary)
Andrew Egan (Treasurer)
Sandy Cull
Jenny Grigg
Evi Oetomo
Daniel New
Miriam Rosenbloom
2015/2016
Alex Ross (President)
Zoë Sadokierski (Vice President)
W.H. Chong (Secretary)
Andrew Egan (Treasurer)
Sandy Cull
Jenny Grigg
Evi Oetomo
Daniel New
Miriam Rosenbloom
2016/2017
Alex Ross (President)
Zoë Sadokierski (Vice President)
W.H. Chong (Secretary)
Andrew Egan (Treasurer)
Sandy Cull
Jenny Grigg
Evi Oetomo
Daniel New
Miriam Rosenbloom
2017/2018
Alex Ross (President)
Zoë Sadokierski (Vice President)
W.H. Chong (Secretary)
Andrew Egan (Treasurer)
Sandy Cull
Jenny Grigg
Evi Oetomo
Daniel New
Miriam Rosenbloom
2018/2019
Alex Ross (President)
Zoë Sadokierski (Vice President)
W.H. Chong (Secretary)
Andrew Egan (Treasurer)
Sandy Cull
Jenny Grigg
Evi Oetomo
Daniel New
Miriam Rosenbloom
2019/2020
Alex Ross (President)
Zoë Sadokierski (Vice President)
W.H. Chong (Secretary)
Andrew Egan (Treasurer)
Sandy Cull
Jenny Grigg
Evi Oetomo
Daniel New
Miriam Rosenbloom
2020/2021
Alex Ross (President)
Zoë Sadokierski (Vice President)
W.H. Chong (Secretary)
Andrew Egan (Treasurer)
Sandy Cull
Jenny Grigg
Evi Oetomo
Daniel New
Miriam Rosenbloom
2021/2022
Alex Ross (President)
Zoë Sadokierski (Vice President)
W.H. Chong (Secretary)
Andrew Egan (Treasurer)
Sandy Cull
Jenny Grigg
Evi Oetomo
Daniel New
Miriam Rosenbloom
2022/2023
Alex Ross (President)
Zoë Sadokierski (Vice President)
W.H. Chong (Secretary)
Andrew Egan (Treasurer)
Sandy Cull
Jenny Grigg
Evi Oetomo
Daniel New
Miriam Rosenbloom
2023/2024
Alex Ross (President)
Zoë Sadokierski (Vice President)
W.H. Chong (Secretary)
Andrew Egan (Treasurer)
Sandy Cull
Jenny Grigg
Evi Oetomo
Daniel New
Miriam Rosenbloom
2024/2025
Alex Ross (President)
Zoë Sadokierski (Vice President)
W.H. Chong (Secretary)
Andrew Egan (Treasurer)
Sandy Cull
Jenny Grigg
Evi Oetomo
Daniel New
Miriam Rosenbloom
2025/2026
Alex Ross (President)
Zoë Sadokierski (Vice President)
W.H. Chong (Secretary)
Andrew Egan (Treasurer)
Sandy Cull
Jenny Grigg
Evi Oetomo
Daniel New
Miriam Rosenbloom
Why Join ABDA?
Become an ABDA member today to showcase your work through our website, have your say in the book design community, receive member only resources and discounts to the annual Australian Book Design Awards, public talks, industry advocacy, training and workshops throughout the year.
- —Discounted entries and tickets to the Australian Book Design Awards
- —Further discounted tickets to public talks, training and workshops
- —Showcase your work on the ABDA website and manage your portfolio
- —Access to members only resources