Vibrant Dallas city illustration by Jacob Stead for annual showcase

Big Reads

Jacob Stead captures the creative heartbeat of Dallas for the Dallas Observer’s annual showcase.

For this year’s Best of Dallas issue, the publication commissioned UK-based Jacob to capture the city’s energy, creativity, and diversity through a series of six illustrations, including the cover and section openers.

The feature spotlights more than 300 of Dallas’s finest restaurants, artists, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and cultural hotspots, all brought to life through Jacob’s dynamic visuals.

His illustrations merge books and cityscapes to reflect Dallas as a place where stories of every kind unfold, celebrating the people and places that keep North Texas booming with ideas and inspiration.

editorial
graphic
conceptual
books
people
flat colour
literature
cityscape
cityguide
jacob stead
Capturing the spirit and creativity of Dallas for the Observer
Showcasing 300 Dallas restaurants, artists, and cultural spots
Illustrations capturing Dallas restaurants, artists, and hotspots
Editorial piece of Dallas’s top cultural highlights
Illustration combining literature and architecture to represent Dallas culture