Project Overview

As Creative Director for Torah Sisters Magazine, Issue 20 (September/October 2024), I led the strategic visual direction and editorial design of a multi-page publication centered around seasonal events, community gatherings, and faith-based celebrations for women who love Yeshua.

This issue focuses heavily on Fall Feasts, group experiences, and practical preparation, blending inspirational content with actionable resources such as recipes, DIY projects, and event-based planning ideas. The publication was designed to support both individual readers and community-based experiences, making it both engaging and highly usable.

My Role

Creative Direction & Graphic Design

  • Led the overall visual direction and layout system for the publication
  • Organized and structured multi-author content into a clear and functional editorial flow
  • Designed all page layouts including feature articles, recipes, DIY content, and resource sections
  • Maintained brand consistency across all sections of the magazine
  • Developed typography systems and visual hierarchy for readability and usability
  • Prepared all files for print-ready production

Design Approach

This issue required a design approach that supported both inspiration and real-world application, particularly for event-based and group-focused content. The goal was to create a structured and accessible reading experience that readers could easily translate into their own gatherings and seasonal celebrations.

Key design considerations included:

  • Creating a clear information hierarchy for both reading and quick-reference content
  • Designing structured layouts for a variety of content types, including recipes, guides, and event-focused articles
  • Enhancing readability through typography, spacing, and consistent layout patterns
  • Supporting content focused on gatherings, shared meals, and seasonal celebrations
  • Organizing content to guide readers from inspiration to practical execution

Key Strengths Demonstrated

This project highlights a range of capabilities that extend beyond traditional magazine design, including:

  • Creative Direction for content-driven publications
  • Editorial design and layout systems
  • Content organization and information hierarchy
  • Content strategy for multi-section publications
  • Visual storytelling and brand consistency
  • Reader experience and UX-informed content design
  • Design for event-based and community-driven content
  • Print design and production-ready layouts

Results & Value

The final publication delivers a structured, engaging, and highly practical reader experience that supports both inspiration and real-world application. By organizing diverse content into a cohesive format, the magazine becomes easy to navigate, visually engaging, and effective in helping readers plan and participate in meaningful seasonal events.

This approach ensures that content is not only visually engaging, but strategically structured to improve clarity, usability, and audience connection across multiple content formats.

Future Application of This Work

This project demonstrates my ability to design content-driven experiences that support both individual use and group interaction. These same principles apply to a wide range of modern design needs, including:

  • Brand and marketing campaigns
  • Website and UX content design
  • Content strategy and digital platforms
  • Educational and informational materials
  • Event-based and community-focused content systems

This work reflects my ability to transform complex content into clear, engaging, and actionable experiences that support both planning and participation.

In this Issue

Publisher & Editor

Amy Kay Guenther | TorahSisters.com

Creative Director & Graphic Designer

Crystal Calhoun | Made to be Unique

Contributors

Victoria Reid | WithLoveFromVictoria.com
Anne Elliott | HomeschoolingTorah.com
Taylor Richards | LandofHoneyblog.blogspot.com

Activities, Recipes and Posters

P 16 Poster: You shall keep the Feast…
P 22 Recipe: Mexican Dip
P 23 Recipe: Campfire Chickpea Breakfast Hash
P 25 Recipe: Kids in a Blanket
P 27 Recipe: Rainbow Trout with Vegetables
P 28 Recipe: S’mores with Brownies
P 29 Recipe: Protein Hot Chocolate
P 44 Poster: …come to me and drink

Articles

P 06 What the Torah Sisters Said (Testimonials)
P 08 Building Excitement for the Fall Feasts
P 13 Things the Messiah Said During Sukkot
P 17 A Sukkot Menu for Your Camping Group
P 30 3 Ways to Elevate a Pot Blessing Meal
P 33 Celebrating the Fall Feasts Frugally!
P 36 Inexpensive Ways to Decorate Your Sukkah
P 38 Sukkah Pictures
P 45 Why Should I Tithe?
P 49 Autumn Anticipation – Fresh Perspective on the Biblical Holidays

Featured on Cover

Why Should I Tithe?
Sukkah Pictures
Fall Feast Excitement

Testimonial:

Crystal designs my magazine and I love her! My customers rave about how beautiful and professional it is and can’t wait for the next issue. I know the content is good, too, but it’s the design that they talk about. Not only is she talented, but Crystal is also easy to work with, meets deadlines early and is a great communicator. I hope she always will work for me!

– Review listed in LinkedIn and Facebook

The following video is a wonderful review given for the Torah Sisters Magazine.