Four Cognella Textbook Cover Designs Receive 2025 GDUSA American Inhouse Design Awards

Cognella cover designs are recognized for their originality, creativity, and effectiveness 

San Diego, CA – September 16, 2025 – Four Cognella textbook covers have received 2025 Graphic Design USA (GDUSA) American Inhouse Design Awards for their innovation and impact.

For 62 years, the GDUSA Inhouse Design Awards have showcased outstanding work by inhouse creatives and their departments. It spotlights graphic design for commerce and culture at its best and celebrates the knowledge and abilities inhouse designers bring to the table to support organizations, products, services, causes, and ideas.

This year, GDUSA received more than 5,000 entries, and only the top 10% were recognized with awards. Included in the winning designs are four Cognella textbook covers created by Cognella Graphic Designers Jess Estrella, Emely Villavicencio, and Jessica Delia, featured below.

“The cover of a textbook is its opening act, setting the stage for the learning journey ahead,” said Cognella Founder and CEO Bassim Hamadeh. “The artistry and partnership between our authors and cover designers culminate in covers that speak volumes across print and digital formats. These visual introductions are key to sparking reader curiosity and inviting learners to the table. We couldn’t be prouder of these award-winning designs.”

Lessons in Spanish Literature/Lecciones de literatura: Middle Ages and Golden Age/Edad Media y Siglo de Oro (First Edition)

By Rafael Garcia

Featuring cover design by Emely Villavicencio

Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders: A Guide for Beginning Social Work and Human Services Professionals (First Edition)

Sarah Hessenauer, Ph.D., LCSW

Featuring cover design by Jess Estrella

Interpersonal Communication (Eighth Edition)

Arthur Jensen and Sarah Trenholm

Featuring cover design by Jessica Delia

Queer Asian Americans: A Practitioner’s Guide for Working with LGBTQ+ Asian America Communities (First Edition)

Lou Felipe, Jan E. Estrellado, Amanda Breen, and G. Nic Rider, Editors

Featuring cover design by Emely Villavicencio

About Cognella®

Cognella® is redefining academic publishing by creating teacher-driven, student-centric higher education course materials in print and digital formats under three imprints: Cognella® Academic Publishing, Cognella® Custom, and Cognella® Active Learning. Cognella also publishes engaging nonfiction titles featuring modern perspectives as Cognella® Press. Learn more at www.cognella.com. 

For media inquiries please contact:
Natalie Piccotti
Director of Marketing, Cognella, Inc.
858-552-1120 x532