Ar Gof – Welsh for “In Memory” is a series of small books created to preserve and celebrate traditional Welsh poetry at risk of fading from collective memory.
Curated by renowned poet and author Mererid Hopwood – the first woman to win the prestigious bardic chair at the National Eisteddfod of Wales – Ar Gof is, in her words, “a collection of objects whose aim is to help us remember how to remember.”
Our brief from Welsh-language publisher Atebol was to create a tactile and timeless product brand that would honour this poetic heritage, while inspiring a new generation to rediscover and share these much-loved verses.
For the first collection in the series, themed “Y lloer a’r sêr” (The moon and the stars), we designed an interactive and playful set of books that invites readers to actively engage with the poems. Each page features die-cut windows that slowly reveal the lines of verse – encouraging memory, reflection, and a deeper connection with the language.
The tactile experience is further enriched by the use of deep black uncoated papers and foiled, shimmering cover illustrations. Inside, the poems are printed in silver ink, accompanied by bespoke illustrations by Jessica Benhar. As each poem unfolds, the accompanying landscape illustrations evolve, growing in detail and depth with every page turn.
The first collection is now available in select bookshops and gift retailers across Wales. The series promises to become a cherished cultural touchstone – passing poetry, memory, and tradition from one generation to the next.
See more work for Atebol.
