Designing Warmth and Wisdom
When Nancy Avery of publisher The Wanderer’s Journey first approached me about designing The Art of Fulfilling Your Nature, I could tell it was no ordinary project. The book is a collection of 56 articles, poems, and Q&A sessions by Justin O’Brien—Swami Jaidev Bharati—a yogi whose teachings and warmth have touched many lives. With over 90,000 words and a structure spanning six chapters, it was clear this project would require careful planning and a lot of heart to get it just right.
Reflections
Nancy had a specific vision for the book, but we worked together to refine it. She wanted Justin’s photo on the cover to create an immediate connection with his students. At the same time, I suggested a design that felt a bit more intentional and artistic—something that could honor his legacy without leaning too much into typical genre conventions. In the end, we struck a balance: a bordered photographic dust jacket for the hardcover, an illustrated version for the softcover, and crow motifs from a third cover concept instead woven into the section dividers as a nod to Justin’s symbolic associations. Nancy’s reaction to the dust jacket—she called it a “thrill” every time she saw it—was one of the highlights of the project for me.
One of the trickiest parts of the project was working with the provided photographs. The quality wasn’t ideal, but with some Photoshop trickery, I could bring out their best for a high-quality print run at Bookmobile here in the Twin Cities. Knowing this book would be shared with Justin’s students and friends made every detail feel significant.
Inside, the challenge was to keep things warm and approachable while navigating a variety of content types. Each chapter begins with a poem, leading into short articles, Q&A sections, and other formatting, such as bulleted lists. I chose a soft, inviting serif typeface with comfortable spacing to reflect Justin’s thoughtful and reflective nature. The section pages feature generous white space, offering readers moments to pause and reflect.
Looking back, The Art of Fulfilling Your Nature became more than just a design project. It was a chance to celebrate Justin’s wisdom and presence while crafting something beautiful, respectful, and, dare I say, a little playful. It’s a book that invites readers in, guides them gently, and gives them a sense of warmth—just as Justin would have wanted.
A companion piece later joined it, Theresa King’s Sacred Rivers, drawing on the same aesthetic foundation, but with a distinctly different flair.
