explore AUBURN, CA

Explore Auburn is a mini magazine that offers a personal introduction to my hometown of Auburn, California. Designed as a visual love letter and guide for first-time visitors, the piece combines editorial storytelling with place-based branding to highlight Auburn’s evolving charm as a vibrant destination for gathering, shopping, and dining.

This project served as both a celebration of local culture and a reflection of my design sensibility—drawing from the environment I grew up in to inform tone, layout, and visual style. Through this lens, the magazine not only introduces readers to Auburn’s recent growth, but also gives a glimpse into my own roots and creative identity.

My design approach focused on casting the town in an ethereal light—balancing its rustic heritage with the energy and warmth of its modern evolution. The layout emphasizes open space, organic shapes, and soft tones to evoke the lightness, cheer, and sense of adventure that define both Auburn and the personal feeling of walking through Old Town or Downtown. Each spread was crafted to highlight local favorites while inviting the reader into a more emotional and atmospheric experience of the city.

Photography: Marie Clark + open source

Illustrations: Yolanda Magana