Work Single Image
Identity
Graphic Design

Playspace Design Guide

Work
Project Image
I led the visual identity and full publication design for a comprehensive guide developed by KABOOM! in collaboration with the Overdeck Family Foundation and early childhood development experts.

The publication bridges landscape architecture, child development research, and community-centered design. Designed for both digital distribution and limited-run print, the guide needed to be clear, accessible, and visually engaging across formats. The final 38-page document balances academic rigor with warmth and approachability.

Client
KABOOM!
Timeline
3 weeks
Services
Identity, Publication Design
The process
Challenge

The primary challenge was creating a visual system that honored KABOOM!’s energetic brand while aligning with foundation partners and a broader ecosystem of subject-matter experts. The guide needed to feel research-based and credible without becoming overly institutional. Early design explorations leaned kinetic and bright, drawing from the visual language of workshops and child-made markings. However, the system ultimately needed to mature into something more refined and nature-forward while still sitting comfortably under the KABOOM! brand umbrella.

Goal

The goal was to create a cohesive visual identity that could support dense, expert-driven content without overwhelming readers. The design needed to communicate clarity and authority while remaining inviting to landscape architects, early childhood professionals, and community stakeholders. It also had to function seamlessly across screen sizes and in print at 8.5x11. Above all, the guide needed to translate complex research into something readable, usable, and actionable.

Solution

I developed a flexible visual system including a refined color palette, type hierarchy, illustration motifs, and foundational layout elements grounded in early childhood best practices. Consistent styling for callouts, tables, data visualizations, and section dividers created rhythm and clarity across the 38 pages. I collaborated closely with KABOOM!’s communications team to structure content for flow and accessibility. Custom diagrams and icons distilled complex research into clear guidance visuals. The final publication delivers both visual warmth and technical credibility, supporting thoughtful landscape design and expanded access to high-quality playspaces.

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