Let’s Go Biking
Services Book Cover and Interior Design, Map Design, Branding, Illustration
Client Colleen MacDonald
Date 2018
Project Overview
Let’s Go Biking: Around Vancouver, a guidebook by Colleen MacDonald, showcases over 80 cycling routes across Vancouver. My mission was not only to create a book that served as a navigator’s companion, but also to design an inspiring visual journey that would eventually resonate across a series of guidebooks.
The Solution
This project demanded a design that was functional and easy to use on the go. I remastered all 80 of Colleen’s original maps and paired them with a lively, accessible layout. The inclusion of hand-drawn illustrations and vibrant photography brought the scenic beauty of Vancouver to life, making the guidebook a must-have for local and visiting cyclists alike.
Additionally, I created a distinctive branding element for the Let's Go Biking series—a banner featuring six cyclist silhouettes in various colors—which is still prominently featured on Colleen's website today. The Let’s Go Biking branding, for both the books and the website, has become a visual hallmark for the series.
Extended Impact
The success of the original Let’s Go Biking: Around Vancouver led to its format serving as the template for subsequent books in the series—Let's Go Biking: Okanagan and Beyond and Let’s Go Biking: Islands: Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands, and Sunshine Coast. While Colleen worked with other designers for these expansions, the continuity of the design I established ensured a consistent look and feel across all titles. The map templates and book design format I developed allowed these books to seamlessly match the original, providing a unified brand experience for readers.
Overall Impact
The redesigned guidebook and its sequels have become essential resources for exploring British Columbia by bike, blending practicality with the allure of adventure. This series stands as a testament to the region's beauty, encouraging readers to discover it one ride at a time. My comprehensive design work—from branding to book layout—has not only supported Colleen’s vision but also ensured the enduring appeal and usability of the Let's Go Biking series.
“I needed a graphic designer for maps and a book of bike routes. I’m so pleased to have found Laura – she has a good eye for design, is a creative problem solver, and works quickly.
She’s keen to try anything new and is excited when there is a challenge. I highly recommend her and will hire her again!”
