TCAT Student Handbook Covers
Following an initial template design established for TCAT Livingston, I adapted and scaled a unified student handbook cover series across all Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCAT) campuses statewide. The objective was to produce a visually synchronized suite of publications that maintained system-wide brand alignment while celebrating the unique identity and technical programs of each individual campus.
The Challenge
With the lead graphic designer establishing the baseline cover layout, I took ownership of executing the campus-by-campus rollout across the entire network. Each handbook needed to feel like part of a single cohesive design family while distinctly representing its specific institution. The core challenge was maintaining exact grid balance, typography hierarchy, and visual fidelity while sourcing appropriate hero imagery, swapping localized logos, and double-checking that featured visuals strictly corresponded to active programs at each respective campus.
I audited the program offerings for every TCAT location to identify key courses. Where popular programs like Welding or Practical Nursing overlapped between campuses, I deliberately selected unique or specialized flagship programs—such as Digital Agronomy, Electric Vehicle Production Technology, Aviation Maintenance, or Meat Processing Technology—to maximize visual diversity across the catalog line, and I cross-referenced internal photographic archives and stock repositories to ensure selected visual imagery accurately reflected real-world coursework and equipment for each specified institution.
Reflection
This project showcased how systematic design thinking can turn a single static layout into a dynamic, multi-brand publication suite. By pairing rigorous program research with meticulous visual alignment, I produced a comprehensive collection of handbooks that honored each campus's individual focus while reinforcing the unified presence of the TCAT network.