Back to School is a seasonal selection in the store, similar to Christmas, and only available for a limited time with no reorders once inventory is sold through. Each year, Mardel introduces two distinct themes designed specifically for teachers, offering cohesive décor and functional learning tools for the classroom. These collections are thoughtfully developed to reflect current design trends while maintaining flexibility, allowing teachers to mix and match elements to create a personalized and engaging learning environment.

The process began with the art team developing mood boards to pitch potential themes to buyers approximately three months ahead of product development. These concepts were built around trend research and current market insights, drawing from both in-house resources and external inspiration to inform pattern, color, and overall visual direction. Once a theme was selected, we translated it into a style guide, building out a system of focal patterns, supporting graphics, and icons designed for versatility across a wide range of products—from bulletin board sets, planners and classroom accessories. The style guide phase was highly collaborative, involving designers, coordinators, team leads, managers, and stakeholders to ensure the final direction was both visually compelling and met our customers’ needs. As a designer, it was essential to consider not only the creative execution but also the practical application—ensuring files were scalable, adaptable, and efficient for use across various formats, including both 2D and 3D applications.

All artwork owned by Mardel & Hobby Lobby