Gabriella Rios - 2025 Infant & Toddler Environments

About the Project

Project Brief

• Design the 2025 Infant & Toddler Environments catalog for Lakeshore Learning Materials

• Highlight new products and environments that have been developed this year, particularly around sensory needs for the youngest learners

• Focus on generating new photography across the book, both for new products and to reimagine evergreen items

Role

Art Director/Project Manager

Partners

Design, RD&D, Merchandising, Editorial, 3D, Photography, Color & Web Content

The Design Process

Designing is an iterative process done in partnership with other creatives, cross-functional partners, and leadership. Below is an illustrated look at how I've crafted my own process to ensure I create successful design systems and effective design solutions.

Research

Facts - Determined through research with RD&D & Merchandising:

• The front cover of the catalog should show the category of Sensory Play, featuring our new toddler light table and manipulatives, as well as our new Cuddle Bug

• The target age range for these product is 12-36 months, and we'd like to show our products are safe to serve the youngest learners in the age range

Objectives - Informed by the facts above:

• I need to develop a sensory area within a 12-24 month old appropriate classroom to feature these new products

• I need to determine a layout that allows for me to feature two entirely different products at the same time

• I need to cast 12 month old models to represent safety of our products against that of competitors

• I have an opportunity to create a unified sensory space we haven't depicted before for this age range

• I will use my experience with disabilities and sensory needs to develop this space in an authentic way

Layout & Design Elements Refresh Exploration

Figma board showing year-over-year comparison of the 2024 catalog to the 2025 proposed refresh updates (not new photography)

Initial Sketches

Front cover sketch of two new feature products with two models

Front cover sketch of two new feature products with one model

Figma board with sketches of all new lifestyle photography for concept buy-in

The Final Solutions

Print Catalog Solution

A consistent design layout of the book with an emphasis on new, rapidly developed photography for this 64+4 page print piece.

Front cover of Lakeshore Learning Materials' 2025 Infant & Toddler Environments catalog featuring brand new exclusive products

Inside front cover of Lakeshore Learning Materials' 2025 Infant & Toddler Environments catalog featuring a quick look at what Lakeshore offers and the targeted ages and types of learning materials available

Sample 12-24 Months section from Lakeshore Learning Materials' 2025 Infant & Toddler Environments catalog: Section opener featuring an introductory photo representing the target age range and a classroom render showing how curated product sets targeting developmental needs can be arranged in a classroom

Sample 12-24 Months section from Lakeshore Learning Materials' 2025 Infant & Toddler Environments catalog: Inside spread featuring curated product sets for classrooms

Sample Full Product Assortment section spread from Lakeshore Learning Materials' 2025 Infant & Toddler Environments catalog featuring all Carpets available from Lakeshore designed for the youngest learners

Inside back cover of Lakeshore Learning Materials' 2025 Infant & Toddler Environments catalog closing out product and promoting the Design, Delivery & Installation service

Back cover of Lakeshore Learning Materials' 2025 Infant & Toddler Environments catalog featuring purchasing info and company contact information

Website PDP Solution

As images in the printed catalog are updated, I also update the PDPs online to reflect accurate products and changes, or bring brand new skus to the web altogether.

Website PDP showing alignment of imagery online and in the printed catalog - imagery developed to work across platforms

Additional Solutions

Representation Opportunity

I always look for opportunities to improve representation across marketing materials. Two sets of models were cast and photographed in the same room environment and with the same products. This allowed for other creative teams to design different assets for homepages and email blasts that represent how our products are great for every learner.

Alternate version of the 2025 Infant & Toddler Environments cover featuring a visibly disabled model and highlighting use case of Sensory Play materials for all (Note: Homepage asset designed by a different Art Director)

Recycling Assets

Creative teams are often tasked to design new assets quickly to meet marketing needs. Having strong, adaptable imagery available assists others in executing projects rapidly.

Back cover image utilized by another team to create a homepage asset in 2026

Note: Image assets are property of Lakeshore Learning Materials.