Bert’s Big Adventure - Twenty

Book Design & Editorial Art Direction

Project: BBA Twenty – 20th Anniversary Commemorative Book
Role: Art Director, Book Designer
Services: Editorial Design, Photo Curation, Visual Storytelling, Print Production

The Challenge

Bert’s Big Adventure is a nonprofit that brings magic and connection to children with chronic and terminal illnesses by providing an all-expenses-paid journey to Walt Disney World. For its 20th anniversary, the organization wanted to create something truly special, a lasting tribute to the hundreds of families who had become part of the BBA community over two decades.

The goal: design a commemorative book that honored every child, every moment, and every memory, in a way that felt deeply emotional and beautifully refined.

The Concept

I was brought on to concept and design a 400-page coffee table book that would serve as a visual archive, celebration, and love letter to the BBA family. The creative direction was rooted in emotional storytelling, clean editorial layouts, and an elevated visual tone that would resonate with both long-time supporters and new readers alike.

I treated the book like a living memory capsule—one that needed to balance visual elegance with emotional gravity.

Execution

As Art Director and Lead Designer, I managed every step of the creative process, including:

  • Designing the overall editorial structure and typographic system

  • Selecting and editing thousands of archival photos, many spanning two decades

  • Building out spacious, emotionally driven layouts that let images and quotes breathe

  • Designing two custom photo collages showcasing every child who had participated in the program

  • Managing layout pacing, print production, and prepress for final delivery

The book was designed to feel timeless, combining sentimental storytelling with polished design that families would be proud to display.

Recognition

The BBA Twenty book received widespread praise from the nonprofit, its families, and the design community, earning top honors for excellence in print and storytelling:

  • 🏆 Best of Show – PIAG Print Imaging Awards of Georgia 2024

  • 🥇 Best of Division – PIAG 2024

  • 📖 Best Book – PIAG 2024

  • ✨ Best Book Design – America’s Print Awards 2024

The project is a testament to what design can do when it’s rooted in care, craft, and community.