Joachim Brohm’s photo-series, Ruhr, formed the starting point for a photographic work that has developed with particular single-mindedness right up to the present day. This early work on the Ruhr area was created in the artist’s immediate surroundings. Design criteria, like format, print and typeface, were chosen to give this project a specific and adequate look, which is factual but never anonymous. In 2009, the “twin book” Ohio was published. The photographs were taken while Brohm was a student at the Ohio State university, Columbus, USA. Since both works are closely related, the books were both designed after the same concept.