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Sky TV

Prisoner Titles

  • Art Direction
  • Brand Identity
  • CGI / Animation
  • Film
  • Type Design
Prisoner is the new six part thriller from SKY TV and “Bridge of Spies” co-writer Matt Charman. Hingston was commissioned to design the opening title sequence for the show, which is directed by “Peaky Blinders”, Otto Bathurst and stars Tahar Rahim and Izuka Hoyle.

Leaning into the vernacular of spy thriller and espionage, the show’s twisted plot and frenetic pace is reflected in a bold, staccato sequence, in which fragments of text and words layer the frame, creating a typo-graphic collision that reveals glimpses of live action.
Combining a mix of letterpress and hand rendered type – letterforms appear splintered, fractured and spliced, to create a feeling of unrelenting chaos. A distinct colour palette of red and teal features as overprinted surfaces, which push and pull the image sequence across the screen.
The main title was designed as a custom font for the show. Titled ‘Shackled’ Hingston was commissioned by the Sky team to create a full character set for the typeface, which was used across the global campaign roll-out. A condensed geometric, the font evokes a sense of weight and strength. A series of cuts were introduced into specific letters to mimic the locking mechanism of a machined handcuff. The font’s robust letterforms are designed to be treated, roughened and processed without compromising legibility.
The supporting credits are set in Italian Plate No1 designed by Playtype foundry.

Credits

Sequence Design: Hingston Studio
Motion Director: Markus Lehtonen at Hingston Studio
Typeface Design: Hingston Studio
Additional design and coding: Stuart Brown Type
Production Company: Binocular
Writer/Showrunner/Executive Producer: Matt Charman
Commissioner: Sky TV
Sequence Music: Aurora ‘The Blade’