Children’s Publishing Design, Illustration, and Art Direction
Senior-level creative specializing in content-rich, production-ready books and educational formats — from cover to final file.
I’m a senior designer and illustrator with deep experience in Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop, specializing in content-rich, production-ready layouts. Alongside client and agency work, I write and illustrate children’s books and design educational and activity-based materials.
My background spans cover design, art direction, complex interior layouts, and assembling authored and commissioned content into cohesive, print-ready formats.
Client Project Spotlight
Art Project Recipe Book
Editorial Design • Layout System • Illustration Integration • Production
Designed and illustrated a comprehensive children’s activity book featuring nearly 30 step-by-step art projects (65+ pages) that guide young makers from concept through completion. Created in close partnership with the author, the book blends instructional clarity with a playful yet structured visual approach to support both independent creativity and classroom use.
I established the book’s visual identity and developed a fully custom illustration system to create a cohesive visual language across the publication. Each illustration was intentionally crafted to enhance comprehension, support navigation, and bring warmth and personality to the instructional experience.
To manage a wide range of content — including supply lists, process photography, educational context, and multi-step project directions — I built a flexible editorial framework that maintains consistency while allowing each project to feel distinct. Careful attention was given to hierarchy, pacing, and spatial balance to ensure the layouts remain intuitive and engaging for young readers without overwhelming the page.
Key Contributions
Established the visual identity and cover design
Illustrated the complete artwork suite, developing a cohesive visual language
Built a scalable layout system for complex instructional content
Integrated illustration, photography, and typography into unified spreads
Designed clear informational hierarchies to support learning
Prepared production-ready files for publication
Outcome:
A polished, content-rich creative resource that transforms multi-step projects into accessible, engaging experiences for children while supporting educators and caregivers.
Project Spotlight
Get Ready With Me Coloring Book
Coloring book & Rhyme story
Illustration • Editorial Design • Copy Writing
A playful coloring book pairing original rhymes with bold, easy-to-color illustrations designed to spark creativity and support early reading confidence.
I developed the full visual language — from character design through typography and layout — creating a cohesive experience that feels both joyful and approachable. Strong shapes, clear linework, and thoughtful pacing ensure each spread invites participation while remaining visually balanced.
Works in Development
Author & Illustrator Projects
Illustration • Story • Copy Writing • Strategy
Alongside client work, I actively develop original children’s book concepts from early narrative exploration through visual storytelling and layout. This ongoing practice allows me to experiment with pacing, page turns, character presence, and compositional rhythm while refining illustration systems designed specifically for young readers.
The selected works shown here offer a behind-the-scenes look at projects currently in progress — including storyboards, preliminary spreads, and visual studies — each reflecting my commitment to building thoughtful, engaging reading experiences from the ground up.
Gecht Creative, LLC
Allie Gecht Design Services
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