Giles Udy’s At Dawn They Came
Giles Udy’s latest book At Dawn They Came delivers a strong, concise history of Soviet repression, bringing the vast, brutal network of the Gulag system into sharp relief.
Enhanced with tech-restored maps and historical photos, this 80-page work combines a full timeline and individual stories to depict the harrowing realities endured by millions. From mass graves to stories of survival, it paints a stark picture of one of the 20th century’s darkest chapters.
About the project
For the cover of At Dawn They Came, I wanted to encapsulate the haunting reality of authoritarian repression through a minimalist, yet symbolic design. Using a stark black hardcover with vertical cutouts, I've created the effect of prison bars, beneath which a historic photo of political prisoner Elena Amberg appears.
The design captures the ease with which the authoritarian regimes could imprison individuals — represented by the simple action of opening a book.
Production
Year
2022
Roles
Creative Direction
Art Direction
Graphic Design
Illustration
Printing
Print house:Bulged
Credentials
Commissioned by:The Foundation for the History of TotalitarianismLayout design:Matthew Wilson
Giles Udy’s At Dawn They Came
Giles Udy’s latest book At Dawn They Came delivers a strong, concise history of Soviet repression, bringing the vast, brutal network of the Gulag system into sharp relief.
Enhanced with tech-restored maps and historical photos, this 80-page work combines a full timeline and individual stories to depict the harrowing realities endured by millions. From mass graves to stories of survival, it paints a stark picture of one of the 20th century’s darkest chapters.
About the project
For the cover of At Dawn They Came, I wanted to encapsulate the haunting reality of authoritarian repression through a minimalist, yet symbolic design. Using a stark black hardcover with vertical cutouts, I've created the effect of prison bars, beneath which a historic photo of political prisoner Elena Amberg appears.
The design captures the ease with which the authoritarian regimes could imprison individuals — represented by the simple action of opening a book.
Production
Year
2022
Roles
Creative Direction
Art Direction
Graphic Design
Illustration
Printing
Pulsio Print
Credentials
Commissioned by:The Foundation for the History of TotalitarianismLayout design:Matthew Wilson
Hristiyan
Current location:
Sofia, Bulgaria
Design matters
Giles Udy’s At Dawn They Came
Giles Udy’s latest book At Dawn They Came delivers a strong, concise history of Soviet repression, bringing the vast, brutal network of the Gulag system into sharp relief.
Enhanced with tech-restored maps and historical photos, this 80-page work combines a full timeline and individual stories to depict the harrowing realities endured by millions. From mass graves to stories of survival, it paints a stark picture of one of the 20th century’s darkest chapters.
About the project
For the cover of At Dawn They Came, I wanted to encapsulate the haunting reality of authoritarian repression through a minimalist, yet symbolic design. Using a stark black hardcover with vertical cutouts, I've created the effect of prison bars, beneath which a historic photo of political prisoner Elena Amberg appears.
The design captures the ease with which the authoritarian regimes could imprison individuals — represented by the simple action of opening a book.
Production
Year
2024
Roles
Art Direction
Cover Design
Printing
Pulsio Print
Credentials
Commissioned by:The Foundation for the History of TotalitarianismLayout design:Matthew Wilson
Hristiyan
Current location:
Sofia, Bulgaria
Design matters