The Ludowy Theatre

The Ludowy Theatre (literally: People's Theatre, Polish: Teatr Ludowy) is one of the most important contemporary theatres in Krakow, Poland. Its history goes back to the 1950s and creation of Nowa Huta, a large social realist district planned as a center of heavy industry. 

In the branding creation process we examined the visual history of the Theatre and its surroundings, especially social realist architecture and Ludowy’s characteristic building with a beautiful historic neon. Basing on the typography of this neon, we designed a variable typeface “Ludowy”, which became the core element for the Theatre’s visual identity, wayfinding and signage. 

In 2023 the Theatre opened a new space – TIM (Theatre Institute for the Youth). Its modern building hosts workshops, rehearsals and performances of plays for children and young adults. We designed wayfinding and signage system for TIM basing on “Ludowy” variable font, thus creating a link between a historic neon, iconic to Nowa Huta, and a contemporary space.

The project features, among others: a dedicated system of changeable signs marking the spaces backstage and the offices, as well as signs for the stages, theatre halls, recording studio, archive, storerooms, guest rooms, directions and floor numbers.