Prison Theatres and the Global Crisis of the Prison System is a translated publication released by kptl in 2025. The book documents prison theatre groups and, through their stories, reflects on a system that fails—yet also on people who remain creative in spite of it. Powerful personal narratives intertwine with an analysis of the prison system, its public perception, and the potential for change.

Our task was to design a visual concept for the book within a minimal budget—to make it economically sustainable, yet dignified and readable. We chose black-and-white printing, not as a metaphor, but as a practical design choice.

The greatest design challenge lay in the complex structure of the text—multiple layers of context, commentary, and narratives. We needed a layout that felt clear, rhythmic, and easy on the eye. The typographic system builds a transparent hierarchy of information and uses white space as an essential structural element.

The book’s small format and soft binding reduce production costs while making it physically approachable. It’s a book you want to hold—as an object, that holds stories. Two holes drilled through the entire block  mirror the spacing used in official files, yet they also bring a sense of air and lightness, turning a gesture of limitation into one of freedom.