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
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
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.
