Verzets-tonen
Expertise
Storytelling & Graphic Design
Duration
6 weeks
Important sources
The Sisters of Auschwitz
Bringing a Dutch novel to life
I created a new design for The Sisters of Auschwitz by Roxane van Iperen. I kept the full text of the novel, but reworked the layout, visuals and structure based on how I experienced the story. My goal was to show the emotional weight and personal impact of the book in a way that feels honest and intentional. The result is a one-of-a-kind design that highlights the story through my own lens.
About the book
During the Second World War, two Jewish sisters, Janny and Lien Brilleslijper, ran one of the largest hiding places in the Netherlands: ’t Hooge Nest, a villa in Het Gooi. While Jews across the country were being hunted, life in the villa continued as best it could for dozens of people in hiding. All of this happened right under the noses of NSB neighbors and Nazi officials. Eventually, the Nest was betrayed, and the Brilleslijper family was deported to Bergen-Belsen with one of the last transports, alongside the Frank family.Reading this book made me feel deeply grateful for the freedom I have today. The horrors of the Second World War are unimaginable, and something I hope never to experience. What stayed with me most, though, wasn’t just the fear or suffering, but the strength people showed, and the powerful bond between the two sisters. This book shows how strong both love and hate can be.
My Interpretation
In the book, Eberhard (Lientje’s partner) sends a secret message through sheet music to help save a child. I found that moment so powerful, it really stuck with me. That’s why I chose to use sheet music in my design and present it hanging from barbed wire. I also chose the song Mensch, durf te leven, because it’s mentioned in the book as a symbol of hope. I wanted to create a space that feels small, cramped and uncomfortable, but where the music still brings a sense of strength and connection.
Overview of my research
More about the process
