Paul Garrett is one of just 10 students up for the prestigious gong, which this year saw some 1,100 entrants.

This year’s spec was to redesign a front cover for the Penguin classic What A Carve Up, written by Jonathan Coe.

Third-year Graphic Design student, Paul entered the award as part of a live brief set to the students on his course – one of many live agendas which all Art and Design students at Bedfordshire participate in as part of their degree.

The remit was to reflect the richness of Jonathan Coe’s writing to appeal to a contemporary, discerning, literary readership.

The judges were looking for a striking cover design, with an imaginative concept, which must reflect the book as a ‘cohesive whole’.

And Paul said he is hoping his work does just that.

“Without giving too much away, the book is about a powerful family, each of which have fingers in different pies and each has a different occupation. They exploit people and are eventually found out when an investigator looks into the family.

“So my piece is hopefully representing that. The book is set in the 80s and that has set the tone for my design with the 2D images and typewriter font, which is displayed on top of the investigator's notebook.”

Now in its seventh year, the competition was open to students on an Art or Design course at Higher National Diploma or degree level across the country.

Its aim is to give exposure to students and provide guidance from some of the publishing industry’s leading lights.

This year’s winner will be invited to spend four weeks in Penguin’s design studio on a work placement, working with Art Directors Jim Stoddart and John Hamilton on live briefs, in addition to a £1,000 cash prize.

Second place will receive £350 and third, £250.

Paul, who has previously won the Young Creative Network award to design an app for Sports Interactive (the gaming company which makes best seller, Football Manager), added: “I was extremely pleased just to be nominated, to win would be amazing.”

Prior to the tonight's Awards, Jim Stoddard Penguins Art Director, said of Paul’s work: “This is a refreshing illustrative style. We have already been admiring the motifs, the period styling and typography. The overall balance is good too.”

For more of Paul’s work visit cargocollective.com/PaulGarrett