Custom Illustration System Elevates Educational Platform's User Experience

LearnQuest, an online educational platform specializing in STEM subjects for K-12 students, was experiencing strong growth but facing challenges with user engagement and content differentiation. Their existing visual assets were inconsistent, using a mix of stock photography and basic icons that failed to create a cohesive brand experience.

They needed a unique visual language that would:

• Appeal to both students and parents across different age groups
• Make complex STEM concepts more approachable and engaging
• Create a distinctive brand identity in a crowded educational market
• Function effectively across their website, learning platform, and marketing materials

The challenge was creating a system that was educational and accurate while remaining fun and engaging for younger users.

We developed a comprehensive custom illustration system tailored to LearnQuest's specific needs:

First, we conducted workshops with their team to understand their pedagogical approach and the key concepts they needed to visualize. We also analyzed user data to identify areas where visual engagement could improve learning outcomes.

Based on this research, we created:

• A core character set representing diverse students and educators that could be used throughout the platform
• Subject-specific illustration styles for mathematics, science, computer science, and engineering
• A modular system of educational elements that could be combined to explain different concepts
• Interactive illustration components for their learning modules
• A detailed style guide for their in-house team

The illustration system used a bright, inclusive color palette with a semi-flat style that balanced playfulness with clarity and educational purpose. We delivered over 200 individual illustrations and created templates for their team to maintain consistency moving forward.

The custom illustration system transformed LearnQuest's visual identity and significantly improved their user experience metrics:

Student engagement with illustrated learning modules increased by 42% compared to their previous text-heavy approach. Completion rates for courses using the new visual system improved by 28%, indicating better understanding and retention of material.

The distinctive illustration style helped LearnQuest stand out in marketing channels, contributing to a 35% increase in new user signups during the quarter following implementation. Parents specifically mentioned the appealing visuals in feedback surveys as a reason for choosing the platform.

The illustration system also streamlined content creation for their team. What previously required custom work for each course could now be assembled from the illustration library, reducing production time by approximately 40% and ensuring visual consistency.

LearnQuest has since expanded the illustration system to their mobile app and printed materials, creating a cohesive brand experience across all touchpoints.