Art Director / Editorial Designer Needed for Premium Storytelling Handbook

Project Overview I’m looking for an exceptional editorial designer to create a premium publication for a new podcast and media brand. This is not a logo design or branding project. The strategy, messaging, content, creative direction, and overall vision have already been developed. I’m looking for a designer who can transform that vision into a beautifully designed, publication-quality handbook. Think of this as designing a luxury coffee-table book or high-end magazine rather than a business document. ⸻ About the Brand Where She Goes Next is a podcast and media brand that shares authentic conversations with women navigating life’s next chapter. Topics include: * Reinvention * Career transitions * Divorce * Widowhood * Empty nesting * Travel * Identity * Healing * Courage * New beginnings Everything we create is centered around one simple purpose: Helping women feel seen. ⸻ The Project The publication is titled: The Where She Goes Next Storytelling Standard Approximately 35–50 pages This handbook will become the creative standard for every editor, producer, and creative partner who works on the show. It explains not only how we edit, but how we tell stories. ⸻ What Has Already Been Created The project already includes: * Complete editorial outline * Brand philosophy * Storytelling framework * Episode structure * Editorial standards * Color palette * Logo and monogram * Creative direction * AI-generated visual concepts * Copywriting for each section I’m looking for someone who can bring this vision to life through exceptional editorial design. ⸻ Deliverables Please create: * Publication-quality layouts * Beautiful typography * Editorial page design * Pull quotes * Infographics * Elegant iconography * Consistent visual hierarchy * Print-ready PDF * Digital PDF * Adobe InDesign source files (.INDD) * Packaged design files with linked assets * Font list and style guide ⸻ Design Style The overall feel should be: * Warm * Sophisticated * Cinematic * Editorial * Quiet luxury * Timeless * Elegant * Minimal * Emotionally intelligent Think publications like: * Kinfolk * Magnolia Journal * Modern luxury travel magazines * High-end editorial coffee-table books This should feel more like a magazine than a corporate handbook. ⸻ The Ideal Designer I’m looking for someone with experience designing: * Editorial magazines * Coffee-table books * Luxury brand publications * Annual reports * Lifestyle magazines * Premium presentation books A strong understanding of typography, layout, white space, and visual storytelling is essential. ⸻ Software Preferred: * Adobe InDesign * Illustrator * Photoshop Figma experience is a bonus. ⸻ To Apply Please include: 1. Your three strongest editorial publication examples. 2. A brief description of your design philosophy. 3. Why this project interests you. 4. Your favorite editorial publication and why. 5. Your estimated timeline to complete a 35–50 page publication. ⸻ Paid Design Exercise Before selecting a designer, I’d like to work with my top 3–5 candidates on a small paid design exercise. Each finalist will receive: * My logo and monogram * Color palette * Typography direction * Two pages of completed content * AI-generated concept artwork * Creative brief The assignment will be to design two sample pages. This exercise will be paid, and the designer selected for the full project will continue on to complete the entire publication. ⸻ Budget Please provide your fixed-price quote for designing a publication of approximately 35–50 pages, including revisions and final production files. ⸻ Why This Project Matters This isn’t just another freelance design project. You’re helping establish the creative foundation of a new media brand from the very beginning. The finished publication will become the storytelling standard for every editor, producer, designer, and creative partner who works on Where She Goes Next. If you’re passionate about elegant editorial design, thoughtful storytelling, and creating publications that people genuinely enjoy reading, I’d love to hear from you.