A challenging and exciting project that mixed Illustration, Editorial, and Graphic Design, and guided the self-publication process.

Every project begins as raw material, like a rough stone. The true craft of a designer lies not only in skill, but in vision: seeing the beauty and potential hidden inside. That’s exactly how Latino Nutrition came to life.

That’s exactly how I felt when Latino Nutrition came to life. Nazirber Maduro, nutritionist, author, and advocate for healthier lives, approached me with an idea: a cookbook to support weight loss, rooted in the richness of the Latino cultural diet. As a Latina myself, with a love for our traditional foods (and, yes, a personal connection to the journey of managing weight), I was immediately on board.

The first files landed on my desk: a collection of raw recipe photos, nutritional notes, and technical data. To many, it might have seemed scattered. But I could already envision it: this wasn’t just a cookbook, it could become a cultural tool, something practical, beautiful, and deeply relevant.

Naz was clear: the book had to celebrate her clients’ heritage, simplify complex nutritional science, and give readers confidence to build healthier, lasting habits. With her vision in mind, I began shaping the raw material into something greater.

Seven months later, what started as a cookbook evolved into a complete toolkit, a collection of resources designed to make her patients’ journey not only easier, but also culturally sensitive and empowering. More than pages of recipes, it became a guide that speaks to identity, health, and transformation.

1-Client and Challenges

Client: Nazirber Maduro. Nutritionist, Post-medical weightloss expert, published author, with focus on Latino patients

Business: Naz Maduro Nutrition, nutrition practice

Goals: Beyond creating “just a cookbook,” Naz wanted a professional resource that patients could easily understand and truly feel supported by in their weight-loss journey. The book needed to celebrate Latino gastronomic heritage while translating nutritional science into practical, culturally relevant guidance.

Opportunities:

• Cohesion: The initial materials provided a solid foundation but needed refinement to feel cohesive as a complete resource.
• Differentiation: In a crowded market, there was an opportunity to make the project stand out with a unique, culturally rooted identity.
• Accessibility: Nutritional details, while thorough, required translation into clear, patient-friendly language for maximum impact.
• Engagement: Recipe photography and instructions could be elevated to feel more engaging, accessible, and practical.
• Expansion: The project had the potential to expand beyond a single book by integrating supportive tools that made the patient experience more interactive and hands-on.
• Enrichment: The project needed to complement the recipes and nutritional details with clear, contextual articles that helped patients understand the why behind their food choices

 

2. Our Approach

To bring Latino Nutrition to life, we took a strategic, storytelling-driven approach that honored both the cultural richness of the recipes and the practical needs of patients.

Turning raw materials into a cohesive system

We refined the collection of recipes, photos, and nutritional data into a unified visual and editorial system inspired in the latino culture. We took inspiration in the idiosyncratic of latino typical celebration dresses, typical neighborhoods and commerces, and, of course, latino food. Layouts, typography, and color palettes were chosen to feel modern and professional while still reflecting Latino culture.

Turning raw materials into a cohesive system → “Recipes, photos, and nutritional data were refined into a professional, culturally inspired system.”

Building a unique, culturally rooted identity

To stand out in a crowded wellness market, we infused every page with cultural signifiers, illustrations, color cues, and design choices that feel familiar and celebratory to Latino readers. This made the book more than informative: it became relatable and emotionally resonant.

Translating technical nutrition into patient-friendly content

Complex nutritional data was distilled into easy-to-understand charts, infographics, and callouts. We also proposed the inclusion of educational articles to give patients context, helping them not only know what to eat but also understand why those choices matter.

Elevating illustration and photography for recipes accessibility

Recipe layouts were restructured for clarity and ease of use, with simplified steps and practical tips. Where photography felt generic, we worked to frame it as vibrant, aspirational, and consistent with the cultural storytelling. Illustration was at the heart of this project. We developed a digital watercolor style combined with playful doodles to make the recipes easy to understand at a glance.

Expanding beyond “just a cookbook”

We envisioned the project as a toolkit rather than a standalone cookbook. That’s why we designed the complementary Meal Planner—a practical, interactive companion to help patients track habits, set goals, and integrate Latino cuisine into sustainable meal planning. This addition transformed the book into a more comprehensive, hands-on resource.

Because Naz trusted us fully with the project, we went beyond the original deliverables and designed a set of five beautiful bookmarks that celebrated Latino culture’s deep connection with food and joy. Each bookmark carried a playful phrase like “I’m Latino, and if it doesn’t have cilantro, is it even Latino food?”, “I’m Latino, and while I’m cooking the salsa, I’m also dancing the salsa!”, or “I’m Latino, if I’m not eating, I’m talking about eating!”. Visually, we paired these cultural affirmations with vibrant, colorful designs and highlighted some of Naz’s most popular healthy takes on traditional Latino recipes. The result was a set of keepsakes that not only promoted the book but also became shareable, fun, and deeply resonant pieces of cultural pride for her audience.

3. The Solution / Deliverables

To respond to the challenges and opportunities, we designed not just a book, but a complete toolkit that could truly support patients on their weight-loss journey while celebrating their cultural roots.

 Latino Nutrition Main Book

 

A trusted, culturally sensitive resource that combined recipes, nutritional science, and patient-friendly design.

The centerpiece of the project, crafted with layouts that made recipes easy to follow, integrated nutritional articles to explain the “why” behind food choices, and visuals that reflected Latino culture with pride. This transformed a simple cookbook into a trusted, culturally sensitive resource.

 Latino Nutrition Meal Planner

A practical tool for building sustainable daily habits.

Designed as a practical companion, the planner gave patients a clear way to apply the book’s knowledge in their daily lives. It simplified meal preparation, removed guesswork, and supported consistency helping to form sustainable habits.

 

Cultural Bookmarks (Set of 5)

Joyful, shareable pieces celebrating Latino identity through playful food phrases and vibrant visuals.

Playful, vibrant bookmarks featuring phrases like “I’m Latino, and while I’m cooking the salsa, I’m also dancing the salsa!” paired with healthy versions of traditional recipes. These keptakes brought joy, reinforced cultural identity, and made nutrition feel approachable and fun.

 Portion Plate for Latinos & Bariatric Portion Plate

Hands-on daily guides that simplified portion control for both general and bariatric patients.

Two custom-designed plates created as an addendum to the project. Both made portion control visual and intuitive, offering patients a daily, hands-on tool to follow nutrition guidelines without confusion.

Branded Box & Introductory Flyer

 A cohesive kit presentation with clear guidance for patients.

To tie it all together, we designed a branded box and a clear, patient-friendly flyer that explained how to use the full toolkit. This ensured every patient received the resources as a cohesive, professional, and empowering package.

4. The Impact

While full sales data isn’t available yet, the early reviews on Amazon already reflect genuine appreciation from readers. Feedback highlights that the book “feels approachable, practical, and culturally authentic.” Readers point out that the nutrition information is clear and easy to follow, and that they value having a guide that respects their flavors and traditions. This early response confirms that we delivered something the audience truly needed — real, useful, and meaningful.

Emotional & Brand Impact

• Emotional connection: Patients feel understood and represented, not treated as a generic audience.
• Trust: The high-quality design, clear language, and supportive tools (planner, plates, bookmarks) elevate the book into a credible and professional resource.
• Cultural relevance: By integrating Latino heritage into the visuals and everyday phrases, the project strengthened readers’ sense of identity, making the book not just functional, but significant.
• Empowerment: Patients now have a clear path to sustainable habits. The toolkit doesn’t just offer recipes; it serves as a companion throughout their wellness journey.

 

Patient Testimonial:

Here’s what one early reader shared on Amazon:

Rodney: Educational, Simple, Healthy, and Authentic!

Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2025

This book is incredible! I’m thrilled that it begins by assuring readers that eating healthy doesn’t have to be monotonous. The author goes above and beyond to educate us about the appropriate amount of food to consume and how to measure it accurately without the need for a scale. It was truly mind-blowing!

Furthermore, the recipes are incredibly easy to follow and don’t necessitate a culinary degree. Above all, the food remains authentically Hispanic and healthy, without the tedious aspects of a typical healthy diet. I highly recommend this book.

With such positive feedback already, Latino Nutrition is positioned to keep growing as both a cultural and professional benchmark for nutrition resources.