Ndop
Reference book architecture
Client: Fondation Jean-Félicien Gacha
Agency: 360 Creative
Printer: Stipa, Paris
Commissioned by the Fondation Jean-Félicien Gacha, I led the art direction for a definitive reference work on Ndop - the sacred woven and indigo-dyed fabric of Cameroon. My objective was to build a structure that serves both as a high-end monograph and a rigorous anthropological resource, translating the narratives of the fabric into a modern editorial system.
To honor the tactile nature of hand-spun cotton, I specified a high-end industrial finish:
Cover finish: The title typography features a localized spot varnish, creating a subtle light-play that contrasts with the matte texture of the cover.
UV printing on uncoated paper: This technique allows for high-density indigo blacks and deep blues without the “flattening” effect of gloss paper stock, preserving the organic texture of the paper.
Covers
From research to arena
Discover how the visual DNA showcased in the Ndop publication became the source code for the 2022 Quai 54 World Streetball Championship.
I directed the in-house photography team at the Foundation to capture extreme close-ups using macro lenses. These shots serve as textural section headings, bridging the gap between abstract image and material technique.
Section headings
The book’s editorial framework is a direct reflection of the fabric’s manufacturing logic. I developed a 6-column grid within a landscape format, specifically chosen to accommodate the horizontal scale of woven cloth strips.
Chapter headings
Typographic hierarchy & grid
To ensure the book functions as a true reference work, it included a visual lexicon:
Symbolic translation: traditional Ndop motifs were redrawn into precise vector diagrams. This allows for a clear, academic deconstruction of the symbols’ meanings, separate from the organic imperfections of the dyed cloth.
Glossary architecture: These diagrams serve as the core of a technical glossary, providing a definitive visual guide to the iconography of the Grassfields region.
Symbolism glossary
