ion’s Applied EQ gives learners the fundamental skills they need to be emotionally aware in the workplace. The goal is to foster stronger teams and better leaders at every level of an organization. Given just two colors, typography guidelines, and a set of learning objectives, I created a robust design system that defines the whole course.
Every design system starts with a set of values. For Applied EQ, safety, warmth, introspection, growth, and clarity drive every design decision.
color
Each of ion’s courses uses a distinct color palette, built from 2 colors in ion’s brand guidelines, in this case red and yellow. Expanding from 2 key colors to 5 makes room for a rich gradient system. To help learners with introspection and growth, the colors communicate comfort, warmth, and change.
inclusive design
When designing visuals for inclusive education, contrast is key. All designs go through multiple visual checks to ensure no information is lost for people with different kinds of vision.
evolution
As learners progress through the five modules, the colors shift over time, telling the narrative of growth from a womb-like pink to a triumphant gold. An expanded color palette creates a world of possibilities that all feel distinctly Applied EQ — and distinctly ion.
{e} motion
The course draws from a standardized library of animated emotions, with color variants for each module. To balance the vibrant color palette and find a contemplative tone, the course’s motion is carefully-paced. It’s not a sprint from transition to transition — it walks, breathes, and pauses to reflect. Organic movements evoke biology and microscopic chemistry, bringing the world to life, and giving emotions the close-up examination they need.
grid
With typography standards already set, the challenge is creating order within a 16:9 frame, while remaining legible on small screens. This padded grid brings order and harmony to all sorts of elements. It’s the starting point for all designs, course-wide.
layout
ion courses have a range of documents and downloads. The color palette and design system extend to these documents, reinforcing the course content and unifying the aesthetic. Bold typography and simple layouts get information across quickly, but with an off-kilter feeling of fun.
values to visuals
With so few elements, everything onscreen has to earn its spot. The course takes on a life of its own.
Applied EQ will be available as part of the ion.ACADEMY™ course catalog in February 2023.
Visit ionlearning.com for more information.