The Design DNA

Welcome to StoryBee.

Whether this is your first creative role or another step on your journey, we see this as a shared learning space—a place where your ideas, your style, and your growth all matter. At StoryBee, every design, every detail, every brushstroke is part of a larger effort to make learning beautiful, gentle, and joyful for children around the world. This short guide is here to support your professional development.

This is a must read for graphic designers, strongly recommended for illustrators.

About StoryBee

StoryBee is a digital platform offering curriculum-aligned picture books that turn complex ideas into easy-to-understand stories for K12. From the seasons to the solar system, biodiversity to economics, our books turn learning into a delightful, visual journey. You are designing the entry point into that journey.

Our mission:

“Simplifying complex knowledge with artful storytelling. Making learning beautiful and retention effortless.”

Before diving into design, it helps to hold in mind who we’re designing for:

• Children, often encountering these ideas for the first time. Many are visual learners and respond to bold shapes, gentle storytelling, and expressive color.

• Parents and educators, who are looking for resources that feel trustworthy, thoughtful, and aligned with how children learn.

A StoryBee cover doesn’t need to be loud—but it should feel warm, welcoming, and thoughtful. It gently whispers: Come inside, there’s something lovely waiting for you.

Step 1: Understand the Audience

Before anything else, you must be able to design for young learners. This means understanding:

• How children interpret images, color, and expression

• The attention span of young readers (especially under age 8)

• How parents and educators evaluate children's books visually

Children see the world differently than adults. Their visual attention is drawn to:

• Big, clear shapes

• Facial expressions and gestures

• Bright, balanced colors (though not necessarily neon!)

• Friendly characters—often children or animals they can relate to

Resources:

• The Children’s Book Review – Cover Spotlights

• BookTrust Guide on Picture Books

• Go to a bookstore and read 5–10 top-selling children’s books (e.g., The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Rosie Revere, Engineer, Ada Twist, Scientist)

• Read our children’s picture books (www.storybee.space)

Step 2: Solid Foundation in Design Principles

You should be comfortable applying the fundamentals of graphic design, including:

• Composition (rule of thirds, focal point, visual hierarchy) - Where does the eye go first? Is the title easy to read?

• Typography (especially child-friendly, legible fonts) - Are the fonts clear and readable, even at small sizes?

• Color theory (warm tones, contrast, color psychology for children) - Does the palette feel age-appropriate, warm, and inviting?

• Balance and simplicity - Is there a single clear idea? Less is often more.

Recommended Course:

• Coursera: Graphic Design Specialization (CalArts)

Step 3: Proficiency in Illustration Tools

Your main work will involve digital illustration and design layout. You should already be proficient in:

• Adobe Photoshop

• Adobe Illustrator

• Adobe InDesign (Figma)

• Procreate (optional)

Step 4: Ability to Visually Represent Complex Ideas

StoryBee books often deal with big concepts like:

• The Water Cycle

• The Scientific Method

• Gravity and Forces

• The Six Kingdoms of Life

• Trade and Supply Chains

You must be able to:

• Distill complex topics into visual metaphors

• Create scenes or icons that communicate what the book is about at a glance

• Work from a book title and short description to ideate multiple visual directions

Tip: Practice transforming abstract titles into visual ideas (e.g., “The Power of Trade” → two characters happily exchanging goods on a colorful path connecting cities).

Step 5: Awareness of Visual Storytelling

Your cover isn’t just decoration—it’s a narrative hint. You must be able to:

• Convey mood (e.g., excitement, mystery, curiosity)

• Use characters, environments, and poses to suggest story themes

• Guide the viewer’s eye from title → focal illustration → author name

Inspiration Sites:

• PosterSpy – For visual storytelling in film posters

• Behance – Children’s Book Covers

Step 6: Familiarity with StoryBee Brand Values

We have a specific tone and style that runs across all StoryBee books. You should be familiar with:

• Our target age groups (K–Grade 6)

• Our brand voice: Educational, imaginative, inclusive, and warm

• Our logo placement standards and general visual tone

If you haven’t already, visit StoryBee.Space and explore a dozen covers to observe patterns in layout, mood, and title treatment.

Step 7: Openness to Feedback & Iteration

Design is a process. Our creative directors and editorial team will offer feedback to ensure each cover:

• Aligns with the educational goal

• Appeals to both children and adults

• Fits the broader StoryBee collection

You should be ready to pitch multiple cover concepts, revise according to notes, and submit final versions with mockups for web and print.

Optional (But Recommended) Enrichment Areas

To stand out and grow beyond the basics, consider exploring:

• Multicultural visual literacy: Many books cover global topics (e.g., Indigenous cultures, Asian inventions)

• Hand-lettering & custom type: Adds character to covers, especially for early readers

• Character design: Covers often include young protagonists or animals

• Scene-building: Covers may feature simple but rich environments (e.g., a farm, space, a forest)

Final Notes

By fulfilling these prerequisites, you’ll be ready to step confidently into your role as a StoryBee book cover illustrator. You’ll help give every child a joyful first impression of learning—and that's no small thing.

We're here to support you with resources, mentorship, and creative freedom. Bring your curiosity. Bring your style. Let’s make learning beautiful.

Sincerely,

The StoryBee Creative Team