The 2015 issue of the Tri-Valley Visitor and Convention Bureau's tourist's guide was a fresh start for the publication. The magazine had a new editorial direction spearheaded by former Modern Luxury Hawai'i editor-in-chief, Emmy Kasten, who was looking for something more editorial and less guidebook.
With this in mind, I gave the publication a 12 column grid for most articles and a 7 column for sidebars allowing for numerous arrangements of content and graphic elements, but kept the fonts and design of the magazine consistent throughout. I brought on several award winning photographers, such as Matt Edge, who's work has appeared in The Times of London and The New York Times to give the book the editorial feel we were looking for. Also brought onboard, was prop stylist Glenn Jenkins, whos work you've most likely seen in photographs for William Sonoma, Delicious Living, and Chronicle Books. The photo direction I gave them was to keep the artwork environmental and natural. I didn't want anything too staged or heavy.
Then, I pared all this with loose illustrations with a watercolor feel to give a soft, warm, hand-made touch to the magazine. The end result is editorial, but welcoming... at least, that's one art director's opinion.
With 20 years painting landscapes around the region, Robin Purcell's "Spring Tapestry" was the perfect choice for the cover.
Hand-drawn illustrations that appeared throughout the magazine.