Allen & Unwin
Award for Best Commercial Book for Adults 2025

Winner

Designer: Megan van Staden & Simon Paterson

Title: Amma
Publisher: Moa Press
Format: 234 x 153mm, 304pp. Trade paperback, unsewn on creamy 65gsm stock. Cover with spot UV and gold foil.

Typography: Adobe Caslon Pro. We wanted a sophisticated, literary feel that still felt pickup-able to the reader. Caslon pro achieved this, with elegant chapter headings and character names in a bold Kiano.

Judges’ comments With its confident, bold cover design, the designer has made good use of the short title for a dynamic layout. The gold foil gives it a tactile and sophisticated feel, with the abstract illustration adding a sense of intimacy and intrigue. The striking palette of pinks and reds are odes to Sri Lankan fabrics and flowers, making it a standout, along with the large pale pink font used on its dark blue spine. The connection between the cover and content of Amma is something both the designer and Moa Press should be proud of.