The Client

Kcymaerxthaere is an expansive public art initiative that reimagines worldbuilding through fictional histories, local mythologies, and physical installations. With over 151.5 site-specific artworks across 30 countries, the project has been featured by TED and the BBC and engages audiences in an immersive narrative that spans languages, borders, and belief systems.

The Challenge

Kcymaerxthaere set out to document its global installations in a multilingual booklet series that would be accessible, culturally sensitive, and visually cohesive — no small task for a project of this scale. With content in 20+ languages, including RTL scripts like Arabic and complex characters like Chinese and Tamil, the production required high typographic precision, cultural fluency, and an adaptable design system. Each booklet exceeded 500 pages, and distribution needed to be localized across 20+ countries.

The Solution

We designed a scalable, multilingual layout system that could elegantly support both LTR and RTL scripts. Carefully selected typefaces ensured readability across diverse languages, while modular grid systems and adaptive layouts allowed each edition to maintain visual balance and clarity. We coordinated with native translators to ensure not only linguistic accuracy, but also narrative and cultural integrity — adapting design nuances like Arabic calligraphy, and accommodating the density of East and South Asian scripts. Our team also managed production logistics for high-volume printing and region-specific distribution across more than 20 countries.

Given the project's global nature, we prepared two distinct sets of print files: one optimized for traditional high-volume printing, and another tailored for print-on-demand (POD) distribution, with slight differences in margin handling, bleed settings, and paper specifications. This ensured consistent quality and accessibility, regardless of production method or location.

The Impact

Kcymaerxthaere successfully published and distributed its multilingual booklets across 20+ countries, offering over 500 pages of translated storytelling in each edition. With a unified visual language and customized formats for both POD and traditional printing, the project was able to maintain artistic integrity while meeting technical requirements at scale. As a result, more readers around the world can now experience the story of Kcymaerxthaere — in their own language, with thoughtful design that reflects the project's imaginative and inclusive spirit.