KinderCare Learning Companies
Corporate Headquarters
Experiential Design & Brand Activation
Corporate Headquarters
Experiential Design & Brand Activation
Lead Art Director, Brand Experience
9-Month Timeline | 34,000 sq. ft. | 3-Floor Renovation
KinderCare Learning Companies is the largest provider of early childhood education
and childcare in the United States. It operates over 2,300 early learning centers
and programs under various brands and provides services for children from six weeks
to 12 years old. The company also offers employer-sponsored and back-up childcare benefits, has a strong focus on social, emotional, and academic development,
and has a proprietary curriculum called Early Foundations®
9-Month Timeline | 34,000 sq. ft. | 3-Floor Renovation
KinderCare Learning Companies is the largest provider of early childhood education
and childcare in the United States. It operates over 2,300 early learning centers
and programs under various brands and provides services for children from six weeks
to 12 years old. The company also offers employer-sponsored and back-up childcare benefits, has a strong focus on social, emotional, and academic development,
and has a proprietary curriculum called Early Foundations®
Challenge
As KinderCare switched to a hybrid workplace model, the new office needed to
become a destination with ample amenities and invigorating meeting spaces transforming from a traditional workspace into an environment where employees would feel
inspired to work in-person. The 34,000 square-foot headquarters across three floors required thoughtful design that reflected KinderCare's brand while creating
comfortable, inclusive spaces for diverse work styles.
become a destination with ample amenities and invigorating meeting spaces transforming from a traditional workspace into an environment where employees would feel
inspired to work in-person. The 34,000 square-foot headquarters across three floors required thoughtful design that reflected KinderCare's brand while creating
comfortable, inclusive spaces for diverse work styles.
The unique challenge: I designed the entire brand experience simultaneously as construction progressed, requiring real-time problem-solving and adaptation as the physical space evolved. The "Treehouse" (the building's internal nickname)
needed to balance professional functionality with the warmth of home,
incorporating natural elements and the brands 5 shapes while,
showcasing the refreshed brand identity throughout the physical environment.
needed to balance professional functionality with the warmth of home,
incorporating natural elements and the brands 5 shapes while,
showcasing the refreshed brand identity throughout the physical environment.
Approach
As Lead Art Director for Brand Experience, I partnered directly with the
VP of Content and Creative, Creative Director, and vendors to translate
KinderCare's brand into an immersive three-dimensional workplace experience,
designing and adapting in real-time as construction progressed.
The treehouse-inspired design featured neutral finishes balanced with
bold brand colors and subtle shapes, moss walls, and biophilic elements
creating connection to the outdoors. I navigated supply chain issues due
to the pandemic and incorporated new design elements during construction, demonstrating adaptability and strategic problem-solving
Creative Leadership
VP of Content and Creative, Creative Director, and vendors to translate
KinderCare's brand into an immersive three-dimensional workplace experience,
designing and adapting in real-time as construction progressed.
The treehouse-inspired design featured neutral finishes balanced with
bold brand colors and subtle shapes, moss walls, and biophilic elements
creating connection to the outdoors. I navigated supply chain issues due
to the pandemic and incorporated new design elements during construction, demonstrating adaptability and strategic problem-solving
Creative Leadership
Researched corporate workplace environments analyzing
how color, pattern, and spatial design influence mood and productivity
how color, pattern, and spatial design influence mood and productivity
Conceptualized and designed custom wallpaper patterns incorporating
subtle geometric shapes from KLC's brand identity
subtle geometric shapes from KLC's brand identity
Art directed textile design for custom pillows, fabric installations,
and soft furnishings creating residential warmth
and soft furnishings creating residential warmth
Designed 3D typography installations and environmental graphics across two floors
Curated photography placement strategy ensuring inclusive representation
of diverse children and educators from KinderCare schools as well as
important photography that tells the KLC history
of diverse children and educators from KinderCare schools as well as
important photography that tells the KLC history
Collaborated with vendors on spatial planning for meeting rooms,
wellness room, and collaboration zones
wellness room, and collaboration zones
Managed vendor relationships for custom fabrication, printing,
and installation throughout active construction
and installation throughout active construction
Adapted designs in real-time as construction progressed,
solving unforeseen challenges and maintaining project timeline
solving unforeseen challenges and maintaining project timeline
Impact
Employee Experience:
Created destination workplace with wellness room, mother's room,
and multiple self-care spaces reflecting company's people-centric mission,
while also having spaces for productivity and collaboration
and multiple self-care spaces reflecting company's people-centric mission,
while also having spaces for productivity and collaboration
Transformed headquarters into warm, inviting environment balancing
natural wood elements with vibrant brand expression
natural wood elements with vibrant brand expression
Successfully completed project Summer 2022, opening new headquarters
to employees on schedule despite pandemic-related supply chain challenges
to employees on schedule despite pandemic-related supply chain challenges
Brand Integration:
Translated 2D brand system into cohesive 3D experiential environment
across 34,000 sq. ft. and two floors
across 34,000 sq. ft. and two floors
Brought KinderCare brand to life using bright colors and
geometric shapes in every facet of office design
geometric shapes in every facet of office design
Established headquarters as physical embodiment of
company values: transparency, inclusivity, care
company values: transparency, inclusivity, care
Design Excellence:
Demonstrated ability to design and execute complex experiential
projects under compressed timelines with active construction constraints
projects under compressed timelines with active construction constraints
Successfully balanced bold brand personality with neutral
nature-filled spaces creating comforts of home
nature-filled spaces creating comforts of home
Created inclusive visual environment where employees from
diverse backgrounds felt authentically represented
diverse backgrounds felt authentically represented
