‘Ward 81 Voices’

Book Design

Design for the expanded edition of the 1979 book of photographs and interviews by Mary Ellen Mark and Karen Folger Jacobs with the patients of Ward 81, a locked mental ward for women.

01 Frontbook Cover

Cast of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest photographed by Mary Ellen Mark in 1974.

Cast of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest photographed by Mary Ellen Mark in 1974.

Front and back cover of the reimagined edition Ward 81 Voices.

Front and back cover of the reimagined edition Ward 81 Voices.

In the spring of 1976, Mary Ellen Mark and Karen Folger Jacobs, a writer and licensed therapist, began their odyssey at Oregon State Hospital’s Ward 81.

Learn more about the project

Front cover of the original 1979 book.

Front cover of the original 1979 book.

Back cover of the original 1979 book.

Back cover of the original 1979 book.

Detail of the new volume showing spine placement of girl's face.

Detail of the new volume showing spine placement of girl's face.

Title spread with green tint inspired by the color of the ward's walls.

Title spread with green tint inspired by the color of the ward's walls.

When the book is lined up vertically on a bookshelf, it appears as if the girl is watching you from behind the stacks.

Learn more about the project

Mary Ellen Mark photographing inside Ward 81 in 1976.

Mary Ellen Mark photographing inside Ward 81 in 1976.

Photograph of patient named Mona with excerpt.

Photograph of patient named Mona with excerpt.

The primary typeface used in the new volume is Din, a sans serif font originally designed in 1905 to identify railroad cars in Germany.

Learn more about the project

Shot of restraints with excerpt of conversation between Jacobs and patient.

Shot of restraints with excerpt of conversation between Jacobs and patient.

Spread with excerpt between Jacobs and Marks on Day 35 of their stay.

Spread with excerpt between Jacobs and Marks on Day 35 of their stay.

Spread from Kaitlin Booher’s essay.

Spread from Kaitlin Booher’s essay.

Spread from Max Houghton’s essay.

Spread from Max Houghton’s essay.

Mary Ellen Mark’s iconic photograph

Mary Ellen Mark’s iconic photograph "Laurie in the Bathtub.”

‘Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures’

Book Design

Design of the companion book of the exhibition at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

‘Ward 81 Voices’