The First Draft Handbook
Writer • Illustrator • Book Designer
Overview:
The First Draft Handbook is an illustrated nonfiction book that I wrote, designed, and published from concept through production. I developed the cover, built the interior layout in Adobe InDesign, established the typography and page hierarchy, created original illustrations, and prepared the final files for print.
Book Interior Design Highlights
Designed a clean, readable layout for long-form nonfiction.
Built a consistent typography system using paragraph and character styles.
Integrated illustrations with instructional content while maintaining visual hierarchy.
Prepared print-ready files for publication.
Page Spreads
*Created the complete interior layout in Adobe InDesign.
Title & Front Matter
Designed the title page, copyright page, and front matter to establish the book's visual identity while maintaining standard publishing conventions.
Table of Contents & Chapter Opening
Built a clear typographic hierarchy and navigation system with consistent chapter treatments, spacing, and page structure for long-form nonfiction.
Interior Spread
Designed clean, readable page layouts that integrate illustrations with instructional content while maintaining rhythm, hierarchy, and legibility.
