Our Origin

IFy Atelier was founded on a straightforward observation: that diverse, multi-continental, and culturally meaningful content remains underrepresented in publishing.

The idea has a specific beginning. In the summer of 2025, during a particularly demanding period, the founder turned to adult colouring books and apps as a way to decompress while working on her novel. There was something grounding about slowing down and focusing on a single page.

But something was missing.

While there were countless illustrated books available, very few explored African locations in a way that felt educational, thoughtful, and visually engaging. From prior experience in elderly care settings, where colouring books were often used to support relaxation for individuals living with dementia or cognitive impairment, another gap became clear. Most options were either too childish or overly intricate, rarely calibrated for dignity, accessibility, or meaningful cultural content.

That gap became IFy Atelier.

The Iconic African Locations series was the first response. It consists of illustrated works inspired by architectural landmarks, landscapes, and heritage sites across the African continent. Each volume covers real locations across North, West, Central, East, and Southern Africa, with no site repeated across the series. Every illustration is paired with a short contextual note. This is designed to inform and spark curiosity without disrupting the experience.

The books were designed with layered intention. For older adults, they provide a tool for calm focus and gentle engagement. For the African diaspora, they offer a quiet reconnection with meaningful places. For families, they create shared moments where curiosity extends beyond the page into the wider world.

IFy Atelier was built to create not just pages to fill, but moments to share.

The studio publishes across formats, from illustrated works to literary fiction, with a consistent focus on culture, identity, and place. It operates as an imprint of House of IFy Ltd, an independent UK-based publishing company, with titles available internationally through established retail and wholesale channels.

The catalogue continues to grow with the same intention it started with.

Celebrating culture through creativity.