habitat:
Black Hills, South Dakota

2026 Black Hills Adventure Guide

Scope:
Cover and editorial design, client-directed concept

Client
Custer County Chronicle

The client already knew where they wanted this issue to go. America's 250th gave them the theme ~ patriotic, nostalgic and celebratory ~ along with ideas they wanted to see reflected on the cover. So this wasn't about coming in with a different concept.

It was about listening.

I took what they were imagining and began looking for a way to bring those pieces together ~ commemorative stamps, scalloped edges, bunting and a gold anniversary mark ~ without losing the Black Hills underneath it all.

Carrying it inside

The cover gave us the direction for the rest of the issue. The red, white and blue palette continues inside, but the stories don't simply repeat the cover.

A birthday roundup uses deep red display type and patriotic photography. The playhouse feature shifts into navy-and-red banners and vintage playbill-inspired show cards.

Speciman No. 02

Editorial & Cover Design

Starting with their idea