Challenge

The challenge was to create a non-fiction editorial book on tattoos that went beyond surface-level trends and visuals. Tattooing is often documented through imagery or photo essays, so translating a deeply visual, cultural subject into a structured, research-led written format—while keeping it engaging, respectful, and cohesive—required careful narrative building, content hierarchy, and restrained design decisions.

Insight

Through research, we realised that tattoos have shifted from being culturally sacred markers of identity, belief, and belonging to more individual, trend-driven expressions in contemporary society. While the meanings have evolved, tattoos continue to function as a powerful language—one that records personal stories, social change, rebellion, and heritage across time.

Idea

We designed the book as a chronological journey that bridges the past and the present, treating tattoos as a living archive rather than a fashion statement. Using a minimal greyscale palette with red accents and a calm editorial layout, the focus was placed on storytelling, history, and continuity—allowing the content to lead, while the design quietly supports the legacy, depth, and evolution of ink as a universal human expression.