At the beginning of 2025, The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood released its much-anticipated Shaping Us Framework. This framework, accompanied by a series of detailed reports, aimed to raise awareness of the importance of nurturing social and emotional development in the early years of childhood.

The reports were designed to communicate rigorous research in a way that was both accessible and engaging, with the goal of appealing to a wide, cross-disciplinary audience. Equal importance was placed on the visual design of the materials, ensuring that the presentation championed the inclusive and approachable nature of the content.

Working in close collaboration with the creative and research teams at The Royal Foundation, and with acclaimed illustrator Maggie Stephenson, the publication was developed through an iterative process – design informing illustration, and vice versa. At the heart of the visual identity was the Shaping Us Framework itself, a central motif that structured the presentation of the research.

The campaign spanned multiple channels. Both print and digitally optimised versions of the report were released, supported by a strong social media presence. The campaign culminated in a public event at the National Portrait Gallery, where the visual style adapted to support an interactive exhibition tailored to young children, their parents, and carers.

The publication received widespread media coverage, both in national print and online outlets, and generated tens of thousands of positive engagements across social media platforms.