Dolomity na Ferratach is a travel brand specializing in mountaineering experiences in the Italian Dolomites. In 2018, they approached me with a vision: to create a printed mountain guide that would stand out from other publications both visually and functionally. They wanted a product that was highly readable, modern, and user-friendly — with a clear layout, distinct visuals, and a rich source of practical information.

The main challenge was to design a guide that would organize a large amount of detailed and technical information while remaining visually appealing and intuitive. The client emphasized the need for consistency across the entire guide and requested unique solutions not seen in existing publications. Another key difficulty was the presentation of critical data such as route difficulty, access points, and map visuals — all of which needed to be easy to interpret even in challenging outdoor conditions.

The collaboration involved dozens of hours of consultations and research. Together with the client, we reviewed numerous existing guides, discussed layout ideas, and tested several design iterations. We analyzed the structure of information, reader behavior, and visual flow. This iterative process helped us arrive at a clear and logical layout that balanced aesthetics with usability. Over the years, our partnership grew stronger — resulting in three published guides, a brand identity, print materials, an e-commerce website, and ongoing support since 2018.

The final guidebook is a unique blend of functionality and design. Each via ferrata is presented in a consistent layout, featuring two key tables — one with technical data (difficulty, time, altitude), and another highlighting practical info like the peak, parking, and nearby food or shelters.

The route descriptions are broken into clearly labeled sections: alternative names, trail overview, starting point, approach, via ferrata, descent, and notes. At the end of each, we added a distinctive column with historical facts and curiosities, set apart through custom typography and layout styling.

A major highlight of the project was the creation of over 1,000 hand-drawn maps. Each ferrata includes a bird’s-eye map showing its location within the Dolomites, and a 3D mountain map detailing the route and its difficulty. These handcrafted illustrations give the guidebook a highly distinctive and precise visual identity.

High-quality photography plays an essential role, capturing the beauty of each route and encouraging exploration. Ferratas are also grouped into regional chapters, clearly marked through colored bars and pictograms to aid navigation.

Beyond the guidebooks, I also designed the logo, covers, marketing materials, and oversaw print production. The project expanded into a custom-built website and e-commerce platform. Upon purchasing a guide, users gain access to a digital version optimized for mobile use — offering full online access to all routes with animations and an advanced database.

This project has been recognized multiple times as “Best Guidebook of the Year” and remains one of my most ambitious and successful long-term collaborations since 2018.

The guidebook became an instant success, repeatedly awarded “Best Mountain Guide of the Year” and praised for its exceptional design. Our partnership with Dolomity na Ferratach continues to this day, evolving across print and digital platforms.