Field Guide to Truth & Beauty by Alison Gresik

Alison is quite a talented writer. Her writing is clear, concise, and layered with crisp details and deep emotion that you cannot help to keep thinking about long after you’ve read. It’s truly a joy to work with Alison for many reasons but one reason is that she is devoted to her art and to the art of the word. In the design process when the word is clear and concise the design process is a wellspring of words coming into form. I thought it would be interesting to illustrate Alison’s perspective on the design process in her words. Here are her responses.

What were your initial thoughts and feelings about your book after having seen the new design of the new Truth and Beauty Cover and Interior?

My first impression was that the design lived up to the product’s name: the layouts are jaw-droppingly beautiful. I knew that my clients would notice and appreciate this immensely. I also thought that the page layout was so evocative and amplified the text perfectly. You really captured the mood of my writing and added a polish and clarity to the words. I was reviewing the pages late at night and I was filled with such excitement and had a big grin on my face the whole time.

In what ways does the creative design process and ultimate result add value to your brand?

I serve writers and artists, people who know and value aesthetics, innovation, and attention to detail. The design for this book tells my clients that I understand what’s important to them, that I’m willing to go the extra distance for art, and they can too. The result is a premium product that gives my clients a lush experience.

When reviewing your new interior book design was there anything that revealed something new or different about your own content or story or purpose?

I loved seeing the segments that you highlighted and called out, which messages were most important. I could also see the underlying structure in the way you organized the document and distinguished different sections. I had a sense that the design revealed the richness in the plain words — it increased my sense of what the material was worth, from a price perspective but also in the effect on the reader.

When presenting your new book do you sense a shift in your own perceptions? A shift in the marketing of it or in the introducing of it to your audience? Do you anticipate the response you will receive, and how does that feel? Do you sense any other shifts that are worth noting?

The high quality design made me proud and eager to get the book out there. There’s no doubt in my mind when I send it out that the response will be strongly positive, and indeed it has been. Having your posters, banners, and 3D image has shifted the emphasis in my promotion from text-based to more visual — I can showcase the images and let them speak for themselves which they do.

What do you feel is the most significant benefit of the design process, or the final result, that you think you appreciate and value the most? Which do you sense your readers appreciate and value the most?

I loved the way that our collaboration refined and reflected the content of the book — you were able to point out places that were incomplete, or affirm choices I’d made about what to include, because the design process showed you that. I also loved having a visual expert prepare the final product — having each of us contribute our strengths made the book that much more robust and timeless.

And I love how the design gives readers a visceral experience of the book’s message — that truth and beauty feed our creative appetite, and that making, creating, and enjoying art gives life meaning.

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Thank you, Alison. The Field Guide to Truth & Beauty is a beautiful contribution for artists and writers who want to go on a creative retreat to go deeper.

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Dear Friends,

I proudly present my new online space.

After months of renovations and planning behind-the-scenes I’m thrilled to announce the newly designed home of mfarinelladesign.com.

You are invited to come on in and visit.

Here is what’s new:

1) The Blog

An Open Book has a whole new better-than-ever look and format.

2) About You

Here you will find various levels of helpful information that could help you decide if you would like to work with me.

About You

Welcome: Is This You?

What’s Up With You?

What’s On Your Mind?

3) About Me

An all new space where you can learn more about me and my Design Methodology.

My Biography

Awards & Recognition

My Design Methodology

Why Clients Work With Me

4) Services

If you would like to start a project please fill out and submit a {Project Request Form}.

5) Portfolio

A new clean format featuring special projects and an inside look into the small details, the big picture, and the final results of the design development process.

6) Praise

Design development has great impact. Hear various perspectives on how my client’s feel about their design process and what they’ve discovered, observed, and are called to share.

7) Facebook

I’m still in the process of fully integrating Facebook into my design practice. If you would like to connect with me there you can Like the page Facebook/Michelle Farinella Design.

8) Twitter

Feel welcome to follow along, @mfarinella.

9) Email

I do appreciate email correspondence, feel welcome to write and connect by clicking on the little white envelope icon above.

10) Inner Circle Mailing List

I send out occasional emails and special invites to people who opt-in to my mailing list. If you want to join, enter your name in the space to the right under the Mindful Communication Design in the right sidebar of this page.

Welcome to a bright new era.

Thank you for all of your good wishes and support.

Looking forward,

Michelle

1. You are wondering who, what, how you should be
2. You realize you might be a bit stuck
3. You feel disconnected from who you know you are
4. You feel invisible, or wish you could be
5. You are a loving being, but your heart feels closed
6. You numb the uncomfortable feelings
7. You struggle with belonging
8. You fear that you are not worthy
9. You wonder if you are good enough
10. You need to know you’re not alone
11. You want a guarantee before you do it
12. You want to open your heart, you really do

And ~ you want to live mindfully, authentically, and fully.

Then ~ you will appreciate this profound and poignant message.

“In order for connection to happen, we have to allow ourselves to be seen – really seen.”

*Brené Brown, Ph.D, L.M.S.W., author of The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supoosed to Be and Embrace Who You Are. Brené Brown is a leading expert on authenticity, shame, and courage.

She writes, “Wholehearted living is about engaging in our lives from a place of worthiness. It means cultivating the courage, compassion, and connection to wake up in the morning and think, No matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am enough. It’s going to bed at night thinking, Yes, I am imperfect and vulnerable and sometimes afraid, but that doesn’t change the truth that I am also brave and worthy of love and belonging.”

You are worthy of love and belonging.

I honor your wholeheartedness.

I honor your courage.

Aside from a generational symbol of family tradition, the tomato represents the abundant harvest that comes from caring for, cultivating, and planting a seed. One little seed. Add good light. Tender care. When the time is right, transplant the seedling into the fertile earth. To root. Water, every other day. Watch the leaves flower. And then turn into green, firm, unripe tomatoes. As they ripen, they soften. And come into their magnificent color. Beautiful and luscious.

The Too Many Tomatoes Cookbook, Classic & Exotic Recipes from around the World, © 2009 by Brain Yarvin, Photography by Brian Yarvin, published by The Countryman Press. Cover and Interior Book Design by Michelle Farinella Design.

*Design Award*
Bronze Medal for Book and Cover Design
The Art Directors Club of New Jersey, 2009

*Design Award*
American Graphic Design Award
Excellence in Communication Design, Book and Cover Design
Graphic Design USA, 2010

This 224-Page Cookbook includes over 100 mouthwatering recipes. The concise instructions are easy-to-follow, the photography exquisite. You will learn how to process and preserve the freshness of your own homegrown harvest straight from the garden. You will enjoy traditional to unique recipes from salads, side dishes, soups; to meat, poultry, and fish dishes; to rice, pastas, pizzas, salsas, even desserts. Prepare yourself, though, it’s hard to choose a favorite among these recipes.

Some of the recipes are: Bruschetta with Tomato, Greek Salad, Hawaiian-Style Salmon Salad, Indian Tomato and Lentil Soup, Italian-Style Tomato Soup, Beef and Tomato Chow Mein, Southwestern-Style Spicy Gazpacho, Japanese Beef and Tomato Stir-Fy, Chicken Cacciatore, Vegetable and Cheese Lasagna, Dried Tomato and Olive Bread, Tomato Pesto, Chutney, and Marmalade. And, for dessert, Tomato Soup Cake and Green Tomato Pie!

Brian Yarvin is an enthusiastic chef, educator, and photographer, who has written about and photographed food for many local and national publications. Brian lives and cooks in Edison, New Jersey.

I have also had the honor of designing Brian’s previous cookbook,  A World of Dumplings, also published by The Countryman Press in Vermont. Also full of the most wonderful recipes from every tradition.

This week I’m reminded that creativity is at times a seed that needs to planted. It needs to germinate. It needs good light, and tender care. The idea seedling needs to root. When the time is right. It will flower, and flourish. It naturally ripens on the vine. As it ripens, it softens. And comes into its harvestable form.

Like the pomodoro.

What idea seedling has flourished into the most bountiful harvest for you?

The Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa in Jackson Hole is renowned for its gourmet and exquisite cuisine from its Wild Sage Restaurant. This 224-Page hardcover cookbook includes gorgeous photography and easy to follow, step-by-step instructions for scrumptious breakfasts, dinners, and delicious desserts.

The Rusty Parrot Cookbook: Recipes from Jackson Hole’s Acclaimed Lodge, © 2009 by Darla Worden and Eliza Cross, Photography by David Swift, published by Gibbs Smith. Book Jacket and Interior Book Design by Michelle Farinella Design.

*Design Award*
Certificate of Excellence in Design, Book and Cover Design
The Art Directors Club of New Jersey, 2009

*Design Award*
American Graphic Design Award
Excellence in Communication and Design, Book and Cover Design
Graphic Design USA, 2009

The book is organized into recipes that correspond with each of the four seasons. And, throughout the seasonal recipes, the authors share some photos, essays, and poems of Jackson Hole’s history, art, and wildlife.

A small sampling of the recipes include: Grand Mariner French Toast, Rosemary and Green Tea Smoked Duck Breast with Sweet Potato-Sage Gnocchi and Pomegranate Jus, Cinnamon Beignets with Espresso Ice Cream and Hot Chocolate, and Kahlua Cheesecake with Vanilla-Macedamia Nut Crust.

The Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa was named the number one hotel in the Continental U.S. and Canada by Travel & Leisure readers World’s Best Awards. We certainly get the sense that this destination lodge in the West would be a treasured experience year round.

This cookbook lets you share in the experience of being part of The Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa by providing lots of wonderful recipes to enrich every season.

Organization, order, and clarity are often the perfect recipe!