When I first started working at Novelty Lights, my experience with InDesign was about as basic as it gets—I could open a file, place a photo, and not break anything. But what I did bring to the table was a strong design foundation in Photoshop and Illustrator, a love for layout work, and an obsessive attention to detail.

Fast forward to today, and I’ve created a full 84 page product print catalog from scratch.

Starting with a Blank Canvas

There was no existing catalog file for me to start with. No template. I built everything myself:

• Page layout templates
• Color palettes and font pairings and visual hierarchy
• Visual flow and product organization from front cover to back

I leaned on design principles I’d been using in Photoshop and Illustrator—things like balance, spacing, and visual hierarchy and translated all of that into InDesign as I learned by doing.

Details Make the Design

One of my favorite parts was dialing in the small details that often go unnoticed:

• What visual style should spec text have vs. marketing copy?
• How much padding should a product table cell have?
• How prominent should section headings be compared to paragraph text?

These decisions seem small, but they’re what make a dense product catalog feel readable, clean, and easy for anyone to use.

It Takes a Team

While I led the creative and layout process, I wasn’t working in a vacuum. I collaborated closely with our management, sales, and customer service teams throughout the project.

Their input was essential in making sure the catalog didn’t just look good and wasn’t visually overwhelming, but it was functional, accurate, and easy for customers to use.

Management offered feedback on tone, brand consistency, and the overall impression the catalog should leave.

Sales helped ensure the product groupings and flow matched how our customers shop. Customer service gave valuable insights into what information people look for—helping me prioritize details like bulb specs, cord lengths, and compatible accessories.

Their perspectives helped me refine and finalize the design into something that worked for everyone.

My Takeaway From This Project

This project reminded me that you don’t have to wait until you feel “ready” to take on something big. I didn’t have years of InDesign experience—I had a willingness to learn and a strong sense of design, and I relied on both of those strengths to complete this project.

The result? A custom-built 84 page product catalog I’m proud of—one that reflects not only my design work, but also the input and expertise of the Novelty Lights team.