CASE STUDY / RESEARCH REPORT DESIGN
Seeing Myself: A Report That Makes Student Voices the Loudest Element
TEACH PLUS • RESEARCH REPORT • PRINT + DIGITALTeach Plus needed a report amplifying students’ perspectives on diversifying the teacher workforce, designed in three to four weeks, with no budget for an independent photo shoot.
THE PROBLEM
Within days, I presented two concepts; the chosen direction built the whole system around a divided-circle motif of a student and teacher mirroring one another, sourced imagery that broke from stock-photography clichés, and set the student quotes in high-contrast brand colors so their voices lead every page.
THE APPROACH
THE OUTCOME
Delivered early, giving the team extra runway for their outreach plan, in a client relationship now in its sixth year.
The chosen cover. A divided circle pairs each student with a teacher who mirrors them. Built entirely within the Teach Plus brand palette.
3–4 Weeks
CONCEPT TO DELIVERED FILES
2 Concepts
PRESENTED WITHIN DAYS OF KICKOFF
Early
DELIVERY, ADDING OUTREACH RUNWAY
6th Year
OF ONGOING CLIENT REPORT WORK
Scope also included: All social media graphics for the report launch, plus a PowerPoint presentation and a one-page brief for the media toolkit
Two full directions, not sketches. Both concepts arrived developed enough to choose from with confidence, so review time stayed on schedule.
Methodology built for skimming. The research approach restructured into color-blocked question cards so the study design reads before the paragraphs do.
Quotes as the loudest element. Students' voices set in high-contrast brand colors, doubling as design elements that carry the report's core message
Recommendations that survive a fast read. Actions for school leaders, broken into numbered, color-coded cards for decision-makers who skim.
Imagery without a photo budget. Photography sourced and cleared to break from stock clichés, anchoring the district leaders' recommendations.
How I Work With Research Teams
Most engagements begin with a manuscript, Word files, Excel charts, reviewer comments, and all. I build the page architecture around your content’s structure, redraw figures from your data or from exported charts as publication-quality graphics in your brand, and manage edit rounds against a tracked-changes PDF so feedback from multiple reviewers lands cleanly, including late-stage substantive revisions. Copy is verified against the final approved manuscript before anything releases. On the production side, I prepare press-ready files, coordinate directly with your printer, or source one suited to the job’s specs, and manage proofs and press checks through delivery. Fixed launch dates are treated as fixed.
“We’ve worked with Karen on multiple large-scale design projects such as annual reports and national research reports. In every instance, Karen has kicked off the work with strong conceptual presentations that demonstrated her deep understanding of our field and of our thought leadership goals when it comes to design. Karen then remained flexible and open to feedback throughout the entirety of the design and editing process, making it easy for us to coordinate changes and improvements. We especially appreciate how fast Karen works and her close attention to detail to ensure copy accuracy throughout multiple rounds of edits. Our entire team knows and trusts Karen to deliver on-brand work that elevates our visual presence among our partners, influencers, and other key audiences.”
Planning a report like this?
Thirty minutes, no obligations. We'll talk about scope, timeline, and what your content needs to land.
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