Big Things F@$t – A Field Manual For New Team Leaders Seeking Breakthrough Performance
Jose Corella and Marcus Dimbleby, two amazing leaders, needed help with the design of their book for new team leaders. It was a privilege to be on their team!
The goal
Jose shared his vision for the book while he and Marcus were still in the writing phase. It would be a very actionable book, and unconventional – totally different from the typical business book. The book design needed to help make their message engaging, approachable and most importantly to encourage their readers to take action!
So with that in mind, the brainstorming started. Some of the ideas that we explored and incorporated in the book are:
- The target: Signifying the achievement of goals.
- Stickies: Representing speed and change, allowing quick notes or replacements.
Here’s a brief overview of how we ended up with the final cover. The font resembles quick, permanent marker writing. The handwritten font throughout the book subtly encourages readers to write down their own thoughts and learnings.
Finally, we compared the chosen book cover with other books in the same category, to make sure it does look and feel different from the other books.
Custom icons and illustrations
Custom icons and illustrations were carefully designed for consistency and a unique character. They mimic handwritten text, creating a cohesive look that ties writing and drawing together.
For example, below you see the icons for the four waypoints, and how they’re used to introduce each chapter.
Design
Sharpening your edge
Develop
Unleashing potential
Deliver
Driving results
Endure
Cultivating Growth
Reader experience
Prioritizing a highly actionable reader experience, the book provides ample whitespace for personal notes and reflection. Stickies with quotes and prompts add color and stimulate thought throughout the book.
What Jose said about the work we did together
JOSE CORELLA
Transformative Business Leader
“Mariko helped me see the details, she made value-added connections across the entire project, and asked me questions that I would not have otherwise asked or explored-all in service to the best possible outcome and experience for the me and the end user.
She is a gifted designer, a disciplined collaborator, and an imaginative thought partner. I am so glad that we starting working together while I was in the middle of writing; she helped me deepen the soul of the book.”
This was a really special project for me 😊
This was actually the first book I ever designed. Jose and Marcus knew that, and still they gave me the opportunity to work with them. I’m not a team leader, but as a freelancer I also learned a lot from this book. For example to focus on one thing, instead of having many priorities. And I saw firsthand that they really walk the talk. They do know how to create psychological safety, respect different perspectives, and encourage constant learning. Working with them has been totally energizing and fun!
