A Kingston University (KU) student has been shortlisted for a prestigious design award run by Penguin Random House.

Monica Arroyo Berezowsky, studying for a Graduate Diploma in Illustration at KU, was shortlisted for the 2019 Penguin Random House Student Design Award.

She gained a place on the list thanks to her striking redesign of Haruki Murakami’s iconic bestseller Norwegian Wood in the Fiction Cover Award, alongside nine other students.

The renowned novel, a heart-rending romance set against the backdrop of Tokyo in the 1960s, was chosen with the brief by the award organizer's that entries "make the book appeal to a contemporary, enquiring and literary readership."

For Ms Berezowsky, Murakami's book had particular resonance.

"This book means so much to me. Murakami is a wonderful author: he not only explores loneliness and love (with a hint of music), but also the crudity of life, and I think that is something everyone can relate to," she said.

The KU student added that entering the course had also helped her own progression as an illustrator.

"This competition has taught me how important research is when it comes to developing a new concept: to truly understand the book and what the author is trying to say, and what is hidden between the lines," Ms Berezowsky said.

Her nomination continues a highly impressive trend of artistic students at KU performing well in the publisher's Student Design Awards.

Last year KU's Raemarie Lee (studying for an MA in Graphic Design), won the Fiction Cover category 2018 for her design of Animal Farm by George Orwell.

It was the second year running that a Kingston student had won the Fiction category, with Madalyn Farley taking the title in 2017 for her design of To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

The winners in each of the three categories (Adult Fiction, Adult Non-Fiction and Children’s) will receive a work placement within the Penguin Random House UK design studios, as well as a £1,000 cash prize.

The judging panel is made up of Art Directors from across Penguin Random House UK as well as guest judges from the design and publishing industry, including: Noma Bar, Seb Lester, Coralie Bickford-Smith, Jamie Keenan, Laura Ellen Anderson, and Jan Bielecki.

The winners in each category for the 2019 Awards will be announced in London next month.

To see all of the finalists cover designs, go to: www.penguin.co.uk/company/work-with-us/student-design-award/student-design-award-2019-shortlist.html