Squared Online
Imagery refresh for an online digital Marketing course developed with Google
Client
Avado Learning, developed with Google
Industry
E-learning
Intro
All grown up now!
Squared Online (now Squared+) is an online digital marketing leadership course, developed by Avado Learning and Google. Squared has a unique, fun approach to learning where students work in groups, interacting with other ‘Squares’ from around the globe.
Starting as a B2C course, the demand for it grew amongst the B2B market and a full rework of Squared Online was needed to aim it for corporate audiences. All imagery needed to link to the Google brand, with their approval.
Illustrations made for the Squared online campus
The process
Finding the right balance is key.
We experimented playing with exaggerated proportions on the characters to connect with the original style, however, we found that using realistic proportions with organic shapes and outlines for the hands and facial features and adding simple details to the clothing was the sweet spot to give characters a fun, approachable personality, and still make them look more "grown-up".
We created characters according to the Squared Online personas, connecting the graphics used in the online campus to the audience.
The colour palette was taken from Google's Material Design guidelines.
When adding the characters in an office setting, the backgrounds were set in shades of gray and the foregrounds in softer shades, while the devices would always stand out in Google Blue, Red, Yellow or Green - since this is a digital marketing course, the use of technology is a big part of the Squared Online ethos.
An extensive brand guidelines document was created to ensure consistency across the Squared Online course, outlining not only graphics but also styling guidelines for developers when working on the e-learning campus.
The outcome
From B2C to B2B
We worked directly with the Learning Designers at Avado to create new student materials like templates and live class decks, spot illustrations and infographics for the interactive learning modules included in the e-learning campus.
Squared Online grew in the B2B market, and fully bespoke versions were built for large corporations including GSK (GlaxoSmithKlein) and Phillip Morris International.
Eillie Wornell
Design and Project Manager at Avado
"I had the pleasure of managing Lara for a number of years. She is an outstanding Graphic Designer and further more, a brilliant Project Manager. Lara is not only wonderful at taking a design brief from concept to creation, but also at feeding into the design concept process and advising on best practise. I could not recommend Lara enough and hope to have the pleasure of working with her again."