Joybound Publishing
Designing a Comprehensive Educational Curriculum
Client: Shine Publishing LLC
Services: editorial design, creative direction
Collaborators: Kam Peck (illustrator)
Services: editorial design, creative direction
Collaborators: Kam Peck (illustrator)
Shine Publishing was launching their first professional curriculum for speech-language pathologists working with children who stutter. They needed a designer who could transform complex educational content into an engaging, user-friendly system that would appeal to both practitioners and the children they serve.
The scope was substantial: a 126-page professional manual, 137 lesson plans, 76 worksheets, 7 large-format posters, 16 card sets, and an interactive magnet set—all housed in a custom box. The design needed to balance credibility and professionalism for clinical use while remaining warm, inclusive, and appealing to children ages 5-12.
Beyond the publication design challenge, the client needed naming and brand identity development, plus creative direction for custom character illustration throughout the curriculum.
The scope was substantial: a 126-page professional manual, 137 lesson plans, 76 worksheets, 7 large-format posters, 16 card sets, and an interactive magnet set—all housed in a custom box. The design needed to balance credibility and professionalism for clinical use while remaining warm, inclusive, and appealing to children ages 5-12.
Beyond the publication design challenge, the client needed naming and brand identity development, plus creative direction for custom character illustration throughout the curriculum.
- My ApproachI began by auditing the curriculum content to understand the information architecture and user journey. Speech-language pathologists needed to quickly locate specific lessons and understand progression at a glance, while children needed visual engagement and clear, accessible layouts.
The design strategy centered on creating a cohesive visual system that could flex across dramatically different formats—from dense reference manual pages to playful activity cards—while maintaining consistency and professional polish throughout.
For the brand identity, I developed the name "Joybound," which speaks to both the progressive journey for children and the physical format of a bound curriculum. The identity needed to feel optimistic and forward-moving while avoiding overly childish aesthetics that might undermine credibility with professionals.
- Typography & Information DesignI developed a typography system built around clarity and hierarchy. Materials use the typeface Changa for navigation elements and headers, paired with Montserrat for body text. Lesson plans required a different approach—I created a structured template system with consistent formatting and clear hierarchical divisions that allow practitioners to scan and locate information quickly during sessions, and easily differentiate their read-aloud script from supporting content.
- Grid Systems & LayoutThe project demanded multiple grid systems tailored to each content type:
- 126-page Manual: A two-column grid with space for callouts, tips, and cross-references
- Lesson Plans: A structured template on dividers with distinct zones for objectives, materials, activities, and notes
- Worksheets: Dynamic single-column layouts that balance instruction, activity space, and illustration
- Posters: Large-format designs with bold typography and generous white space for classroom visibility
- Card Sets: Compact, information-dense layouts requiring careful attention to readability at small scale
- Creative Direction & Illustration IntegrationWorking closely with illustrator Kam Peck, I provided detailed creative direction to ensure visual consistency across 200+ illustrated pieces. The characters needed to represent diverse genders, abilities, and backgrounds authentically. A unique challenge was showing character progression—I directed the illustrator to subtly age characters, with younger representations in early lessons and slightly older versions in advanced lessons, reinforcing the developmental journey.
- Production & MaterialsThe entire curriculum was designed for heavy use in clinical and educational settings. I specified durable paper stocks for the manual and lesson plans, laminated finishes for frequently-handled cards, and sturdy poster stock. The custom box needed to accommodate the full curriculum while remaining portable for practitioners moving between schools and offices.
- The SolutionThe final curriculum is a comprehensive educational system delivered in both physical and digital formats:
Print Components:- Professional Manual: 126 pages of structured educational content with clear navigation, consistent formatting, and integrated illustrations
- Lesson Plans: 137 lessons on custom dividers with color-coding and templated layouts for easy access
- Activity Materials: 76 worksheets, 7 posters, 16 card sets, and an interactive magnet set, all sharing a cohesive visual language
- Brand Identity: Complete identity system including logo, color palette, typography standards, and application guidelines
Digital Assets:- Fillable PDF worksheets for virtual classroom use
- Hyperlinked manual and lesson plans for easy navigation between referenced content
- High-resolution poster and card image files for digital display
Every piece works together as part of an integrated whole, making the curriculum both fun to look at and intuitive to use across physical and digital environments. - The ImpactThe Joybound curriculum has been enthusiastically received by speech-language pathologists across the country. Practitioners consistently praise both the educational methodology and the thoughtful, inclusive design that keeps children engaged while supporting professional practice.
The curriculum's success led to the client developing additional products under the Joybound brand, establishing it as a recognized name in speech-language pathology resources.