A new-look Narnia for a new generation

One of the most iconic and bestselling children’s book series is getting a makeover.

Publishers of C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia, HarperCollins, announced this week that they are looking for an emerging designer to create a new brand identity for the series.

HarperCollins has partnered with UK design agency D&AD to create the new designs, which will celebrate the 70th anniversary of The Chronicles of Narnia series. The first book in the series, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, was published in October 1950. It is included in TIME magazine’s list of the best 100 (English-language) novels of all time.

“It is fitting that such a timeless classic is the focus of a brilliant new initiative to support designers of the future.” – Ann-Janine Murtagh

“The iconic world of Narnia is a space defined by imagination and creativity, the perfect place for emerging creatives to showcase their unique creative vision,” said Sammi Vaughan, head of partnerships at D&AD.

D&AD has launched an online outreach competition called New Blood Hot Shots, which aims to “champion and inspire” emerging creatives as they enter the workforce. The competition offers short briefs for young creatives to work on while they take short courses with D&AD, to help them attract a paid commission.

The first brief is to spearhead the new design, logo and brand identity for the C.S. Lewis books.

“We’re very excited to see the striking, individual and surprising ways that this year’s creative cohort respond to the brief,” Vaughan added.

The Chronicles of Narnia have fired the imagination and creativity of millions around the world for the past 70 years,” said Ann-Janine Murtagh, executive publisher with HarperCollins Children’s Books UK.

“It is fitting that such a timeless classic is the focus of a brilliant new initiative to support designers of the future.”

The competition is supported by the C.S. Lewis Company (which holds the rights to the worlds of C.S. Lewis) and was launched on October 29. It is open to any emerging designer over the age of 18, without significant experience in a paid role. The deadline for entries is December 10.

The Chronicles of Narnia series has sold more than 100 million copies worldwide. This series includes The Magician’s Nephew; The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe; The Horse and His Boy; Prince Caspian; The Voyage of the Dawn Treader; The Silver Chair and The Last Battle.