“Catherine Jacobes’ design is unfussy and bright, built around the crisp, saturated food photography of Maren Caruso.”
Hello!
I'm an art director and designer with 20+ years of experience shaping books, campaigns, and stories for trade publishers and lifestyle brands alike.
I’ve designed more than 50 books for publishers including Ten Speed Press, Chronicle Books, HarperOne, Oxmoor House, Weldon Owen, and Sunset — work that's earned four IACP Cookbook Award nominations (two wins), a Bookbuilders West Award (now Publishing Professionals Network), and press coverage from Publishers Weekly, Bloomberg, Food & Wine, Good Morning America, the San Francisco Chronicle, and the Los Angeles Times.
I’ve always had a soft spot for books, magazines, food, photography, the visual arts, and all things editorial, which have been an endless source of inspiration and joy throughout my career.
As co-founder of Book Kitchen, alongside writer Steve Siegelman, I take illustrated books from concept to print for national trade publishers and retail brands — full packaging, start to finish. I love the collaborative side of this work, partnering closely with writers, photographers, and stylists to bring each book to life. You can see more of our joint work at bookkitchen.com.
I bring that same creative direction to branding and campaign work, drawing on agency experience across brand identity systems, digital experience, and integrated advertising — with accounts including Google, Charles Schwab, and JP Morgan Chase.
If you want to launch a project, I'd love to collaborate and create something special for your next book or brand. Let's connect!
WHAT I DO
Book and Magazine Publishing / Art Direction / Editorial Design / Identity Systems / Brand Strategy and Creation / Brand Guidelines / Advertising / Digital Design / Corporate Reports / Exhibition Design / Presentations / Photoshoot Direction / Video Production / Website Design / Pre-press and Print Production
Some of the companies I’ve worked with:
Ten Speed Press
Chronicle Books
Andrews McMeel Publishing
Oxmoor House
Weldon Owen
HarperOne
Sunset Magazine
GFF Magazine
Macy's
Williams-Sonoma
Marshall Field's
California Closets
Robert Mondavi Private Selection
Ironstone Vineyards
Beaune Imports
Laughing Glass Cocktails
Ardent Mills
University of California Berkeley
Coral Reef Alliance
Prudential Emerging Visionaries
Rastrello Boutique Hotel
Charles Schwab
JP Morgan Chase
DocuSign
Membio
Austin Board of Realtors
Greenwich Association of Realtors
Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors
Lafayette Regional Realtors
Stellar MLS
OneKey MLS