Treasured Lands

Self-started and funded book on the UK's fifteen National Parks ©glyncawkwelldesign

SERVICE

DATE

Dec 10, 2021

CLIENT

Self

DESCRIPTION

After being made redundant during COVID, I needed something to keep me busy—so what better way than diving headfirst into a passion project? Over six months, I researched, wrote, edited, and designed a 320-page book covering all 15 of the UK’s National Parks. But this wasn’t just about the parks themselves—it was also about the power of great design. I’ve always been fascinated by layout, composition, and typesetting, and this project gave me the perfect opportunity to explore those elements in depth. The goal? To create a book that’s not just packed with information but also beautifully curated—something eye-catching, engaging, and educational all at once. Being a huge fan of John McWade, I’ve always believed that great design is about simplicity and giving each element the space to breathe.

TREASURED LANDS: A
BRIEF OVERVIEW

This project was a rare chance to design purely for myself—to experiment freely and focus on the balance between visuals and content in a way that felt true to my own creative vision.

treasured lands: a guide through the uk national parks cover

treasured lands: introduction spread with john muir quote

treasured lands: brecon beacons pages 1-2

treasured lands: lake district pages 1-2

treasured lands: loch lomond and the trossachs pages 3-4

treasured lands: northumberland pages 13-14

treasured lands: north york moors pages 5-6

treasured lands: peak district pages 1-2

treasured lands: pembrokeshire coast pages 3-4

treasured lands: south downs pages 19-20

treasured lands: a guide through the uk national parks back cover

DESIGN THEORY

THE IMPORTANCE
OF TYPESETTING

Thoughtful typesetting plays a huge role in making a book both visually appealing and easy to read. The carousel below shows a before-and-after comparison, highlighting the impact of refined typesetting on readability and overall design.