From Idea to Trail Bound: Designing a Journal for the Journey
Finding the Vision
When I first imagined Trail Bound, I knew I wanted it to feel like more than a simple hiking log. Hiking isn’t just about miles and elevation, it’s about the little details, the memories you carry back with you, and the stories that linger long after the trail ends. My goal was to create a companion that hikers could return to, a mix of structure and creativity that balances trail stats with reflections, doodles, and mementos.
That vision began with sketches and brainstorming, but it quickly turned into something more concrete once I mapped out the journal’s identity. I leaned into the idea that Trail Bound should feel approachable, playful, and personal, while still polished enough to be taken seriously.
Tools and Workflow
The foundation of this product has been digital design. I’ve primarily worked in Adobe InDesign, which provides flexibility for layouts and clean typography (Adobe’s guide to layouts explains why it’s such a powerful tool). Alongside that, Canva allowed me to experiment with quick mockups, particularly for Etsy visuals. Moving between the two platforms helped me think about Trail Bound in multiple contexts; what it feels like inside the journal and how it presents itself to future buyers.
Etsy also entered the workflow earlier than I expected. Setting up the storefront gave me perspective on packaging and delivery, helping me see how the product might be discovered. Drafting a tagline—“Your hikes, your stories, one journal”—and uploading visuals made the product feel real in a way the design files alone couldn’t.
Balancing Cohesion and Creativity
One of the biggest challenges has been avoiding monotony while keeping the journal cohesive. My first drafts leaned too heavily on repetition, but hiking itself is never repetitive, so the journal shouldn’t be either. Through experimentation, I began varying prompts, changing page layouts, and planning theme-based editions like a Southwest Road Trip version that focuses on national parks in that region.
The process reminded me of how important iteration is in design thinking. IDEO’s framework on prototyping and feedback emphasizes testing, learning, and refining, a cycle I’ve been living out with each new draft of Trail Bound.
Drawing from Feedback
When I shared progress with my housemates Riley and Emma, their reactions confirmed what I had already suspected: more variety was needed. They loved the journal’s direction but encouraged me to keep playing with dynamic design choices. That feedback pushed me forward, and it underscored how valuable it is to share work in progress with real users.
Building the Experience
The journal now has a rhythm that feels authentic. The cover is hand-drawn and intentionally imperfect, sets the tone. Inside, an introduction page invites hikers to claim the journal as their own, while “Getting Started” instructions serve as a friendly guide. Reflection pages prompt hikers to consider how each season shapes them, and hiking logs provide space for trail details alongside personal notes. To keep the journey playful, I’ve built in trivia about national parks, sticker and patch instructions, and a customizable packing list.
Looking Ahead
What excites me most is how Trail Bound has shifted from idea to identity. It’s no longer just a concept, it’s a functioning product in progress, with an Etsy storefront ready to grow alongside it. My next steps will be about refinement: adding more variation to prevent repetition, polishing the instructions, and testing with more people to ensure the journal is as inviting as I imagine.
In many ways, building this journal mirrors the hikes it’s meant to document—step by step, challenge by challenge, each move forward shaping the destination. Trail Bound is well on its way to becoming not just a journal, but a true companion for the stories hikers want to tell.
See more of my Week 4 Digital Product Development Journal.
