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Trail & Error · Case study

Trail & Error: a 198-page guidebook, designed start to finish

Role
Sole designer and co-author
Design
All 198 pages: layout, typography and editorial presentation
Co-author
Noelle Jean Seward
Published
Self-published
Trail & Error, page 1
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Cover

Thirty-four pages from the book. Drag a corner, click a page or use the arrows to turn.

The challenge

Hikers planning the Pacific Crest Trail needed one guide that covered everything, from permits and gear to resupply and life on trail, and was easy to use on the way.

The idea

Organize the book like the trail itself: Pre-Trail, On-Trail and Post-Trail sections, with photo-led chapter openers, gear lists and a resupply town guide, so 198 pages stay easy to find your way through.

Section opener: On-Trail

The system

I designed the whole book on my own, from the cover and chapter openers to every spread, and co-wrote it with Noelle Jean Seward.

What readers say

Notes from hikers planning their own Pacific Crest Trail.

“Thank you so much for creating your PCT guide! I start on April 10th. Researching and planning for the trail can be frustrating at times, and I’ve always said, ‘I just wish there could be one place with all the information that I need.’ And then, bam… the universe helped manifest your guide!”

Lisa MarieReader

“This is SO COOL and such a valuable resource!”

Kendall SharpeReader

“Thanks so much! The guide looks fabulous, and I really appreciate all the effort that goes into it. I’ve been getting a bit overwhelmed by all the diffuse information online, so this looks like exactly what I need!”

Patricia BronwynReader

“This will help me on my PCT journey a year from now, and as I prep this year.”

McKenzie DeniseReader

“I have yet to find a more useful resource for PCT preparation. It’s clear this was created by people who truly understand what hikers need. It’s the kind of guide you return to again and again, because it answers questions you didn’t even realize you had. THANK YOU!”

Tina TelleschReader

“Thank you for all the love and knowledge you two poured into this. Keep sharing your voice and stories, and cheers to the adventures ahead!”

Lisa MReader
Results
198
Pages, every one designed by Alexa
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