Congrats to our alumni for being shortlisted in "Best Book Design from all over the World"
1 april 2026
Fittjakökets kokbok, designed by Lina Alarabi and Johnny Chang, was the only shortlisted Swedish book out of 21 from 14 countries. Edited by the alumni Abir Boukhari and Maria Johansson.
Photo: Ylva Sommerland, KB
During a couple of days in late February, five jurors from five different countries came together to examine and evaluate around 570 books from 33 different countries in the competition Best Book Design from all over the World, having been held annually since 1963. 21 of them from 14 countries was shortlisted and one book from Sweden was selected: Fittjakökets kokbok (The Fittja Kitchen’s Cookbook), that collects stories, recipes, and experiences from Fittja, a suburb north of Stockholm. Designed by Konstfack alumni Lina Alarabi (Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design and Illustration 2025) and Johnny Chang (Master's degree in Visual Communication 2019).
Two of the book’s three editors are also Konstfack alumni; Abir Boukhari (Curator Lab 2016 and curator of Konstfack Degree Exhibition 2025 and 2026) and Maria Johansson (CRAFT! Textiles 2020). The third editor is Anneli Bäckman, curator at Botkyrka Konsthall that has published the book together with Labyrint Press.
Fittjakökets kokbok also won the 2024 award Svensk Bokkonst (Swedish Book Art) with the motivation: "A clear graphic approach that emphasizes the potential of the everyday book. At the same time, it showcases the diversity of the kitchen and the ongoing stories within it."
The various awards in Best Book Design from all over the World are non-monetary and intended to stimulate greater international dialogue within the book design community. The highest award, The Goldene Letter (Golden Type) was 2026 awarded to the publication Ourouboros Wings, designed by Benaiah French.