Gabriella Rios - 2026 Infant & Toddler Environments

About the Project

Project Brief

• Design the 2026 Infant & Toddler Environments catalog for Lakeshore Learning Materials

• Highlight new products through inspiring photography

• Update look & feel of the catalog to coordinate better with the newer range of marketing materials and to signal future redesigns to come while maintaining warmth and welcoming for educators

Role

Art Director/Project Manager

Partners

RD&D, Merchandising, Marketing, Editorial, 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

• Reviewed the latest company collateral designed by other creatives to inform how I could sophisticate the design of this catalog

• Tested mild, medium, and spicy options of the visual refresh and received early feedback from the internal creative team

An Outlier to the Process, Sort Of

The front cover image for this catalog was developed in a week and a half's time due to a last-minute pivot in product direction from Leadership. Instead of sketching concepts and going through proof of concept stages that way:

• With the direction that this was to be a calming space featuring a product aged to start with use at birth and with a tie to literacy, I created a pull list for the products to be used in a Birth-12 month old classroom

• I worked with the Photography team on-set to explore the best angles for the feature product and to be able to capture magic with the model(s)

• I then built the set around the feature product using items from the pull list

The Final Solutions

Print Catalog Solution

An elevated, friendly design update across the book with an emphasis on natural photography for this 64+4 page piece.

Front cover of Lakeshore Learning Materials' 2026 Infant & Toddler Environments catalog featuring a brand new exclusive product

Inside front cover of Lakeshore Learning Materials' 2026 Infant & Toddler Environments catalog featuring a quick look at what Lakeshore offers and the targeted ages and types of learning materials available

Sample Birth-12 Months section from Lakeshore Learning Materials' 2026 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 Birth-12 Months section from Lakeshore Learning Materials' 2026 Infant & Toddler Environments catalog: Inside spread featuring curated product sets for classrooms

Sample Full Product Assortment section spread from Lakeshore Learning Materials' 2026 Infant & Toddler Environments catalog featuring all Manipulatives items available from Lakeshore in the infant and toddler age ranges

Inside back cover of Lakeshore Learning Materials' 2026 Infant & Toddler Environments catalog closing out product and promoting the Design, Delivery & Installation service

Back cover of Lakeshore Learning Materials' 2026 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 product and changes.

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

Note: Image assets are property of Lakeshore Learning Materials.