Thoughtful Print Design that Communicates and Connects
Print Design | Brochures & Catalogs | Flyers & Postcards | Packaging Design | Marketing Collateral | Typography & Layout
Print Design | 2019-2025
INTRODUCTION
Vernier Science Education Print Design: Brochures, Postcards, Flyers, and Packaging
During my time at Vernier Science Education, I worked on a wide range of print projects, including brochures, postcards, flyers, and product packaging such as labels and boxes. Each piece challenged me to create designs that were visually engaging while clearly communicating technical and educational information. These projects pushed me to think critically about hierarchy, layout, and imagery so every design felt clear, approachable, and relevant for teachers and students.
Collaboration was central to every project. I worked closely with the Art Director and other team members to refine concepts, select compelling imagery, and establish clear visual hierarchy across both marketing and product focused materials. Decisions around typography, structure, and graphic placement were made to support readability, usability, and consistency, whether the piece lived in a classroom, at a conference booth, or on a product shelf.
As part of a mid-level to senior design team of four, my work spanned print, web, and email design, as well as illustration and light front end development. On the print side, I enjoyed shaping brochures, flyers, postcards, and packaging that were both functional and polished while staying true to Vernier’s brand system. This role allowed me to work across formats, collaborate deeply with my team, and create cohesive materials that supported storytelling across multiple touchpoints.
ROLE
PRINT DESIGNER
TIMELINE
2019-2025
TOOLS
ADOBE INDESIGN, ILLUSTRATOR, PHOTOSHOP, ACROBAT
MARKETING LEADERSHIP, ART DIRECTOR, COPYWRITER, PROJECT MANAGERS, SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS, EXTERNAL VENDORS/PRINTERS
TEAM
DELIVERABLES
BROCHURES, POSTCARDS, FLYERS, SELL SHEETS, EVENT COLLATERAL
OVERVIEW
What role did print play in Vernier’s communication strategy?
Print pieces at Vernier served a clear purpose. They supported educators who preferred something they could hold, review, and share with colleagues. Brochures, postcards, and flyers introduced new products, highlighted curriculum benefits, and helped guide customers toward the right tools for their classrooms. These materials often acted as a first impression at conferences or within outreach kits.
Many of these projects required translating technical product stories into content that felt friendly and practical for teachers. The challenge was keeping the science accurate while shaping layouts that communicated quickly and clearly. I spent time considering what educators needed to understand first and how visual structure could lower the barrier to entry. That approach reinforced how thoughtful design can make specialized information feel approachable.
This body of work includes pieces created for product launches, seasonal promotions, educator events, curriculum support, and product packaging. Looking back, these projects strengthened my skills in hierarchy, messaging clarity, and visual storytelling. They also deepened cross team collaboration, since each piece involved close coordination with subject matter experts, marketing partners, and product leads.
CREATIVE DIRECTION
Clear, approachable design that supports educators and product clarity
Each print project at Vernier started with a simple goal, help educators quickly understand what a product did and how it supported hands-on learning. Many teachers encountered these tools for the first time at conferences or through outreach kits, so the materials needed to feel inviting, accurate, and easy to scan. I learned to help guide early conversations around what information mattered most and how design could make that information feel practical rather than overwhelming.
THE BRIEF
“What visual approach will help educators understand complex tools in a way that feels practical, clear, and connected to their classroom needs?”
My early creative direction emphasized strong hierarchy, clean typography, and imagery that showed the tools in real classroom use. Educators responded best to layouts that balanced technical diagrams with warm photography. This approach reinforced Vernier’s brand as both scientifically rigorous and educator focused. I relied on consistent color, spacing, and iconography to support readability across brochures, flyers, postcards, and supporting print materials.
As the work evolved, I grew more confident simplifying dense product details into visual elements teachers could understand at a glance. That often meant refining charts, creating clear callouts, and shaping content so each piece guided readers through a short learning path. These decisions helped the print materials function as reliable tools for sales teams, event staff, and educators who needed clarity quickly before exploring the product line in more depth.
DESIGN & PRODUCTION
Laying the groundwork for adaptable campaign design
Every print assignment at Vernier began with a short brief or kickoff conversation that clarified the purpose of the piece, the audience, the timeline, and the level of product detail required. Some projects supported new product launches, while others focused on curriculum updates or seasonal promotions. I spent time gathering context from marketing partners, product managers, and subject matter experts so I fully understood the story we needed to tell. This early alignment helped me feel grounded before moving into design.
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I started by reviewing the draft copy to identify the primary message, supporting details, and any callouts that needed emphasis. Clear copy made it easier to establish hierarchy and decide what educators should notice first when scanning the piece.
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When available, marketing partners shared past materials or reference examples that captured the desired tone. I used these to understand visual expectations and ensure typography, color, and imagery aligned with Vernier’s brand guidelines while still allowing room for refinement.
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Before designing, I clarified who would review the piece, who approved technical accuracy, and how many feedback rounds were expected. These projects often involved copywriters, marketing partners, and product experts. Knowing their roles early helped keep timelines realistic and collaboration smooth.
Insights from early project exploration
With direction and content in place, I explored visual approaches that supported clarity and ease of use. I reviewed past Vernier materials and related STEM print pieces to understand what felt effective for educators. My goal was to shape layouts that respected the copy while giving readers a clear path through the information.
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The strongest references relied on clear hierarchy, direct headlines, and generous spacing. These pieces allowed educators to absorb key information in seconds, which reinforced the importance of structure driven design.
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Some references contained heavy blocks of text or dense technical imagery that slowed down the reading experience. These examples reminded me to rely on white space, simplified callouts, and focused product photos to help teachers who were often short on time.
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Production constraints influenced many design decisions. Paper size, folding methods, bleed requirements, and mailing specifications affected layout, image scale, and copy length. Accounting for these factors early helped ensure the final pieces translated cleanly from screen to print.
FINAL DESIGN OVERVIEW
Bringing each piece to its final form and preparing for production
Once the layouts and print quantities were approved, the project moved into the final production stage. I cleaned up the files, tightened the typography, looked out for widows and hyphens, checked image resolution and mode, double checked margins and negative space, and confirmed that everything aligned with Vernier brand standards. This step gave me space to focus on precision and make sure the piece was ready for final printing either in house or at the vendor.
After exporting press-ready files, I coordinated with our project manager and the external print vendor to confirm specifications for color, paper, and finishing. This helped the print run stay accurate and reduced the chance of production issues.
When the finished pieces arrived after the print run, we reviewed them to verify color accuracy, trim quality, and overall consistency. Each contributor received samples for their records, which made it easy to reference the piece later.
Seeing the printed work always felt rewarding. Print projects carry a sense of permanence, so reaching this point in the process was a reminder of how much thoughtful planning and collaboration went into every detail.
A. FINAL DESIGN | FLYERS
KidWind, Engineering, Software, and GLOBE Flyers
These four flyers supported different parts of Vernier’s STEM education story, so each one needed its own tone and structure. My goal was always the same: make the content easy to understand and create a visual system that helped educators skim quickly. I worked with our Art Director to confirm direction, then took creative ownership of the layouts, pacing, and hierarchy. I also helped modernize older materials, especially the KidWind flyer, which needed a cleaner and more inviting presentation.
The KidWind flyer introduced hands-on renewable energy investigations, so the design needed to feel light and energetic. I used airy photography that highlighted student interaction with wind and solar tools. Rounded boxes helped organize sections about classroom activities and the KidWind Challenges. Replacing the older version mattered because the previous design felt heavy and dated. The new layout presented the content with clarity and gave educators a clearer sense of what students actually do during these investigations.
The Engineering flyer carried the most information. It highlighted bridge testing, renewable energy kits, Python coding, Arduino projects, and PLTW connections in a structured way. I built a grid that supported multiple columns and callouts, then organized everything so educators could scan each section without feeling overwhelmed. Section headers, spacing, and grouped product lists made it easier to compare offerings across grade levels and topics. The action photography focused on tools in use and kept the tone practical rather than abstract.
The Software flyer worked differently. It relied only on text and icons and was printed in-house. Because the copy outlined four apps and a bundle offer, I kept the layout simple, centered on clean typography, consistent iconography, and equal weight across each quadrant. This approach helped the flyer serve as a quick reference for educators who wanted to understand compatibility, licensing options, and the differences between each app. The visual neutrality matched the straightforward subject matter.
The GLOBE flyer emphasized field data collection, so I built the layout around a large action photo of students using Vernier probeware outdoors. The content focused on easy, waste free measurements and durable tools like Go Direct sensors and LabQuest. A strong visual anchor supported the copy’s promise of reliable fieldwork. I used clear columns to present featured products and kept callouts minimal so educators could focus on what GLOBE investigations require.
Designing these four flyers showed me how a flexible system can support varied content. Each piece served a different audience need, but by using consistent grids, spacing, and typography, I kept them tied to the broader Vernier brand. Small decisions about imagery, structure, and pacing allowed each flyer to communicate its message clearly while staying part of a cohesive family.
B. FINAL DESIGN | POSTCARDS
Discovery/Let’s Talk postcards, New Product postcards, and NTSA Trendsetter postcards
The postcards were small by nature, so every decision had to be intentional. The Discovery and Let’s Talk cards supported lead capture at conferences, the 2024 New Product postcard introduced the upcoming line, and the NTSA Trendsetter cards highlighted innovation in teaching. Each card had its own goals, but all needed to feel complete and engaging in a compact format.
I approached each card as a layout exercise in miniature. Careful type sizing, spacing, and hierarchy made the content readable in hand. Imagery, graphics, and subtle iconography were chosen to support the message without overwhelming the small surface area.
These cards had a very practical purpose, so I focused on clarity and ease of use. The front centered on the headline and form fields, with clean typography and generous spacing to make the card approachable and fast to fill out.
Subtle icons added a touch of warmth without distracting from the content. This helped balance functionality with a friendly, inviting tone that worked well at busy conference booths.
The New Product postcard needed a confident, bold, structured presence. I built a clean grid to let the product photography stand out while a concise headline directed attention immediately.
The back contained supporting copy and a call to action, arranged in a simple hierarchy for readability. Every element was carefully spaced to maintain clarity within the limited surface area.
The Trendsetter cards supported a program focused on innovation in teaching. The front highlighted the coffee hour being offered, using bright, active graphics paired with a concise headline to attract attention and clearly communicate the invitation.
The back advertised Vernier Connections powered by Penda, presenting program details and a call to action in a clean, organized layout. Tight but legible typography maintained clarity while keeping the energetic visual rhythm aligned with the NSTA booth theme.
C. FINAL DESIGN | BROCHURES
2024 & 2025 New Product Brochures
The brochures were larger, multi-page pieces, which allowed me to showcase the products and highlight hands-on learning opportunities in a structured way. I focused on clear hierarchy, engaging imagery, and visual consistency to guide the reader through the content.
The 2024 brochure introduced the new product lineup with a clean, confident layout and prominent photography of the tools in use. The 2025 brochure built on that foundation, updating the design with more refined graphics, subtle iconography, and updated copy to reflect the latest products and classroom applications.
I treated the spreads as opportunities to balance instructional clarity with visual appeal. Each section, from featured products to hands-on experiments, was carefully structured to be approachable yet informative.
These brochures reinforced the overall visual identity for the product line, tying together the look and feel of all print materials while supporting Vernier’s educational mission. The process reminded me how impactful thoughtful layout and imagery can be in guiding educators through complex product information.
D. FINAL DESIGN | PACKAGE + LABEL DESIGN
Product Packaging and Label Design—Go Direct Cyclic Voltammetry System (GDX-CVS), Go Direct Mini GC
(GDX-GC)
Packaging and label design played a critical role in supporting Vernier’s physical products, especially for tools distributed through classrooms, kits, and outreach programs. These pieces needed to communicate essential information quickly while remaining accurate, durable, and easy to reference. The work balanced brand consistency with practical constraints such as size, material, and print requirements.
Labels and package panels were designed to clearly identify product contents, usage context, and key specifications. Layout decisions prioritized legibility and hierarchy within limited space, ensuring that educators could understand what they were working with at a glance. Visual elements, including typography, color, and iconography, aligned closely with brochure and digital materials to create a cohesive product experience.
Each package was treated as a functional design system rather than a single surface. Front-facing panels focused on recognition and clarity, while secondary panels supported instructions, components, or supporting details. Careful attention was paid to trim, margins, and production requirements to ensure accuracy and consistency across print runs.
These packaging and label designs extended Vernier’s visual language into physical products, reinforcing trust and usability at the moment of interaction. The work demonstrates experience designing within real-world constraints while maintaining clarity, precision, and strong brand alignment across printed materials.
OUTCOME
The final printed pieces engaged educators and strengthened Vernier’s presence at conferences and in classrooms.
Seeing the brochures, flyers, postcards, and packaging in hand for the first time was incredibly rewarding. Each piece served a clear purpose, from sparking conversations at conference booths to introducing new products and supporting classroom use. I am proud of how the designs worked together as a cohesive collection while still addressing the specific goals and constraints of each project.
REFLECTION
Designing across multiple print formats was a lesson in clarity, balance, and collaboration.
Every piece required intentional decisions to make the most of limited space while still conveying product features and educational value. Working across flyers, postcards, brochures, and packaging sharpened my ability to balance visual appeal with functional communication. I am proud of the cohesive collection the team produced and how clearly it supported educators.
COLLABORATE EARLY AND OFTEN
Partnering closely with the Art Director, copywriters, and other stakeholders from the beginning helped shape creative direction efficiently. Early alignment gave me confidence in design decisions while keeping the work grounded in brand and messaging goals.USE IMAGERY TO TELL THE STORY
Action photography and supportive graphic elements played a key role in communicating hands-on learning. I learned how even small visual choices, such as icon style or image placement, could significantly affect engagement and readability.SMALL FORMATS NEED BIG ATTENTION
Designing postcards and flyers reinforced the importance of hierarchy, spacing, and typography. In small formats, every line of copy and every visual element had to earn its place to communicate clearly and quickly.
Reflecting on each bodies of work, I can see how much I grew as a designer managing multiple print deliverables at once. Each piece carried its own constraints and goals, yet together they strengthened the overall product story and supported Vernier’s mission in the classroom. These lessons continue to shape how I approach design that demands both creativity and clarity.