Bringing Clarity to Complexity: Reillustrating ServSafe Coursebook 8th Edition

Before founding Americana Creative House, our founder and creative lead, Kat Ignacek, worked with the team at ServSafe (National Restaurant Association) to refresh visual assets for an internationally distributed textbook—ServeSafe CourseBook.

This project continues to reflect the thoughtful, impact-driven design approach we carry into every client collaboration today.

The ServSafe Coursebook is a comprehensive training manual used across the foodservice industry to teach essential food safety practices and prepare professionals for certification. Known for its technical accuracy and thorough subject matter, the book covers topics like food-borne illness, hygiene, safe food handling, and sanitation protocols.

Kat’s role in this project was to refresh the visual language of Coursebook—elevating the illustrations from overly technical to more approachable, engaging, and educational. She introduced a simplified, clean illustration style that maintained the integrity of the content while making it more accessible to a broader audience of learners.

By focusing on clarity, cohesion, and visual storytelling, Kat helped transform a traditionally rigid manual into a tool that supported better retention, easier comprehension, and a more welcoming learning experience. This project reflects her commitment to using design to make vital information more human—and more effective.

the project

breakdown

01. Empathize: Seeing Through the Learner's Eyes

We approach these projects by putting ourselves in the shoes of someone learning new and potentially complex material—perhaps in a second language or while juggling a busy schedule. Our goal is always to create visuals that are clear, easy to understand, and approachable—not overly “textbook” in feel.

02. Define: The Problem with the Old Style

Often, existing visuals can be too detailed or technical, making it harder for learners to quickly grasp key ideas. We aim to retain accuracy while making content more visually supportive and accessible.

03. Ideate: A Warmer, More Modern Visual Language

To achieve this, we explore illustration styles that are clean, minimal, and well-structured—without feeling sterile. Our approach leans on simple shapes, light visual metaphors, and layouts that can adapt to a variety of content formats.

04. Prototype: Iterating for Clarity

The final visuals are used across a range of materials, helping modernize the overall look and feel while enhancing usability and learner retention.

05. Deliver: Visuals That Educate With Confidence

We iterate intentionally on key graphics to ensure they are both visually appealing and aligned with learning goals. Every line, label, and icon is designed with clarity and comprehension in mind.