Robert Overmann

FEATURE WRITING

I love to seek out interesting people and tell their stories.

Click on an image to enlarge it. Click on an icon to read the story.

Overmann_Index_Collections.pdf

"Pickler Library's Hidden Treasures"

Truman State University Index

February 2015

Kirksville, Missouri

I discovered Truman State's Special Collections and University Archives department during my Fall 2014 semester while researching for my honors thesis.

I had the opportunity to interact with objects ranging from WWI soldiers' letters, a WWI machine gun, WWI propaganda posters, and more.

Because I hadn't gotten to interact with the department until my senior year, I realized many other students probably had not come into contact with it either.

I sought to showcase some of the department's most interesting pieces with a visual story in hopes of showing other students what a fascinating resource we have access to.

In addition to writing the piece, I designed the pages and took the photographs.

Winter 2014

Jefferson City, Missouri

"Know Your Farmer:

Farmer's Music Strikes a Chord"
Show Me Missouri Farm Bureau

For an English major, interviewing and writing about Nathan Wehrman was a great pleasure. Known in some circles as the "cowboy poet," Wehrman's vibrant character made for a fascinating profile.

I liked the eccentric combination of farmer and singer-songwriter, and sought to faithfully relay the stories he told about his growing hobby.

I took a photograph of him with his guitar in front of a field of his corn to showcase him with both his hobby and his livelihood. I chose a western font to complement his cowboy spirit. The photograph at the bottom of the third page adds a touch of history, showing the farm as it was when it belonged to his great-grandparents at the turn of the 20th century.

In addition to writing the piece, I designed this spread and took the photographs.
This piece was written during summer 2014, but published after I returned to Truman State for the semester.

Overmann_MFB_Farmer.pdf

For this story, I interviewed Buck and Heather Counts, owners and operators of Buckeye Acres.

Located in Warrensburg, Mo., the Counts inspired me with their tight-knit family and community-oriented operation.
The Counts offer customers a community supported agriculture (CSA) option in which customers can invest in the business for a weekly share of the farm's bounty. The Counts also sell produce to a local gourmet restaraunt, at the local farmer's market, and directly from an on-farm store.

I used the story's content as an inspiration for the page's earthy design. I made photographs large and colorful to draw the eye and give readers a sense of familiarity with the family. A topbar and a sidebar of the farm's fruits and vegetables adds visual appeal and gives readers a better idea of what the farm produces.

In addition to writing the piece, I designed this spread. I did not shoot the photographs.