Adventure Awaits
Inspired by the rugged charm of mid-century expedition journals, the W&L Adventure Guide reimagines the classic outdoor field notebook for a new audience. Created for the children of Washington and Lee alumni, faculty, and staff, the book invites young explorers to discover nature through activities, prompts, and playful visual storytelling. The design blends vintage outdoor aesthetics with an approachable, hands-on format that encourages curiosity, exploration, and a sense of adventure.
After all, as they say in The Hudsucker Proxy — it’s for the kids.
The W&L Adventure Guide was designed as a modern interpretation of mid-century outdoor journals. Inspired by the look and feel of 1950s–60s leather-bound adventure logs, the book blends nostalgic visual cues — earth-tone palettes, rugged typography, and field-guide style layouts — with contemporary design. The goal was to evoke the spirit of exploration while creating an engaging guide to outdoor activities connected to Washington and Lee.
Concept & Inspiration
To capture the vintage aesthetic, I drew from classic expedition notebooks, trail guides, and mid-century outdoor publications. The layout incorporates textured backgrounds, map-inspired graphics, and structured editorial grids that echo the feeling of a well-used field journal. Typography and iconography reinforce the heritage outdoor theme while maintaining clarity and readability for young readers.
Design Approach
The finished guide functions as both an activity book and a keepsake. Created for the children of alumni, faculty, and staff, it encourages curiosity and exploration while introducing the natural spaces around Washington and Lee. The design balances nostalgia and playfulness, resulting in a publication that feels timeless — something kids can use, explore with, and keep as their own adventure log.