Nicolas Nadé’s graphic exploration of the Antarctic in a beautifully printed monochrome book

Illustrator Nicolas Nadé has created this neat little monochrome book called Nobu. Named after Shirase Nobu, who led Japan’s first polar exhibition, the book is an imaginary exploration of the antarctic.

Taking a graphic approach to the South Pole, the book was art directed by designer Alexander Essayie and published by Paris-based publisher FP & CF Editions. Its 32 pages are rich with greyscale imagery, depicting the antarctic full of immaculate ice caps and mountains that surround cool, blocky buildings, like a modernist’s paradise.

Inside the book are two prints and the book’s colophon printed extravagantly on copper paper. This offers an interesting textural and colour contrast, and keeps the book pristine and free from words cluttering its smooth pages.