Gold Rush Ranch
✦ Project Type: Book Box (Illustration, Title & Patterns)
✦ Client: An Elsie Silver x Lilac Library Collaboration
✦ Role: Illustrator
✦ Timeline: 2 months (2025)
Concept & Direction
Lilac Library is a bookshop that celebrates storytelling and art through curated editions for its community of book lovers. These book box designs were commissioned for Gold Rush Ranch written by #1 New York Times bestselling author Elsie Silver.
The illustrations draw inspiration from the Canadian landscape of British Columbia, as well as the novel’s cowboy themes. The outer artwork features a ranch setting with horse breeds and a central title sign, while the interior focuses on equestrian patterns.
The creative process began with multiple rough directions to explore different visual approaches. Once a concept was selected, it was refined through detailed sketching, followed by colour studies before moving into the final illustration.
For the title sign, several typefaces were initially explored before developing a customised lettering to create a distinctive and cohesive result.
A similar process was applied to the pattern design, evolving from rough compositions to refined sketches, colour exploration, and final artwork.
Creative Process
And A Thank You Gift
Alongside the main artwork, a series of bookmark designs were developed using elements from the box patterns. Inspired by the idea of reading as a journey, the bookmarks take on a ticket-like format. An invitation to step into the story and explore a new world.
