Burren Explorer Travel Guide
Client: Burren Council Ireland
Agency: Ultra Design (freelance designer)
Discipline: Editorial Design, Illustration, Typography
Deliverable: 160-page travel guide
The Brief
Burren Council needed a comprehensive visitor guide to one of Ireland's most distinctive landscapes—the Burren's limestone plateau in County Clare. The guide would showcase walking trails, heritage sites and local attractions while communicating the region's unique geology, traditional farming culture and ecological importance.
The Approach
Working alongside Ultra Design's Creative Director, I led layout development and typesetting across 160 pages, establishing a clear visual hierarchy and navigation system suited to both casual browsers and serious hikers. Custom trail map illustrations were created to make routes intuitive and accessible, balancing technical accuracy with visual clarity.
The design needed to work hard—presenting dense information about trails, flora, geology and local history without overwhelming readers. Typography, colour coding and flexible grid systems helped differentiate content types while maintaining editorial flow.
The Outcome
The finished guide serves as both a practical navigation tool and an engaging introduction to the Burren's landscape and heritage. Clear wayfinding, readable maps and considered pacing support the Council's goal of sustainable tourism—helping visitors appreciate the region's fragile ecosystem while exploring responsibly.
Scope of Work:
Editorial design and layout / Custom hiking trail illustrations / Typography and typesetting / Print production preparation
