Creating an ownable, and scalable illustration system for one of the UK's leading digital apprenticeship platforms

Building a visual world for the future of work

As one of the UK's leading digital apprenticeship platforms, Multiverse helps people develop the skills they need to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven world. Through professional apprenticeships in areas such as data, AI and digital transformation, Multiverse supports learners and employers alike to unlock new opportunities through work-based learning.

Creating brand character

As the platform evolved, so did the need for a more distinctive and flexible visual language. Multiverse came to us for an illustration system that could help communicate complex ideas, support user journeys, and bring greater warmth, clarity and personality to their digital experience.

Our approach

We began by exploring the core themes at the heart of the Multiverse experience: growth, potential, progression, connection and transformation.

Working closely with the Multiverse team, we developed a flexible illustration framework built around a set of visual principles, character styles and compositional rules. The system was designed to be expressive enough to tell meaningful stories, while structured enough to maintain consistency as the platform continued to grow.

Where the real meets the abstract

At the heart of the creative approach was a desire to balance relatability with imagination.

The illustrations combine recognisable real-world scenarios with more abstract visual metaphors, drawing on elements of surrealism and humour to communicate ideas in memorable ways. Characters interact with oversized objects, impossible environments and playful visual narratives that help bring complex concepts to life.

This blend of the familiar and the unexpected creates moments of curiosity and delight, making the experience feel more human while reinforcing Multiverse's progressive and forward-thinking brand.

A modular system

Every element was carefully considered — from character design and colour application to iconography, environments and interaction moments.

The result was a modular illustration toolkit that could adapt to a wide range of subjects and scenarios, helping teams communicate everything from technical learning pathways and workplace challenges to personal development and career progression.

Bringing learning to life

At the heart of the system was a belief that learning is fundamentally human.

We created a diverse cast of characters and visual narratives that reflected the people using the platform, helping learners see themselves in the experience and creating a stronger sense of connection throughout the product.

Moments of surprise and delight

The illustrations introduced moments of personality and delight, while also serving a practical role — guiding users, supporting understanding and making complex information more accessible.

Guiding learners through the journey

The illustration system was designed to do more than simply decorate the platform.

Each illustration serves a purpose — visualising key moments in the learner journey, supporting understanding, or helping users navigate from one stage of their experience to the next. From onboarding and skill development to career progression and achievement, the visuals act as signposts that guide learners through the platform in an engaging and intuitive way.

By connecting imagery directly to user needs and behaviours, the system creates a more cohesive and supportive digital experience.

Developing the visual language

The illustration system needed to feel distinctive, scalable and unmistakably Multiverse.

To achieve this, we developed a clean vector illustration style that could work seamlessly across a wide range of digital touchpoints. By avoiding textures, brushstrokes and unnecessary visual complexity, the illustrations remain crisp, flexible and highly adaptable — whether viewed on a mobile device, embedded within product interfaces, or used across marketing and communications.

The simplicity of the style ensures longevity, consistency and ease of implementation, while still leaving plenty of room for personality and storytelling.

An iconic and recognisable aesthetic

We kept the colour palette deliberately minimal, drawing from a small selection of core brand colours to create a strong and instantly recognisable visual identity.

Combined with flat fill colours and a distinctive thin black keyline, the illustrations strike a balance between clarity and character. The result is a bold, graphic aesthetic that feels both contemporary and timeless, helping Multiverse stand apart in a crowded digital landscape while maintaining strong brand recognition across every application.

Animated logotype

We brought the Multiverse brand mark to life through motion, creating an animated logotype that adds personality, energy and consistency across digital channels.

Designed to work seamlessly across product, marketing and communications, the animation transforms the logo from a static identifier into a distinctive brand asset. Through thoughtful movement and timing, it reinforces the spirit of learning, growth and progression that sits at the heart of the Multiverse experience.

The outcome

The new illustration system gave Multiverse a distinctive visual language that could be used consistently across product, marketing and communications.

By combining clarity with character, the system helped transform abstract concepts into relatable stories, creating a more engaging and human-centred experience for learners.

Most importantly, it provided a scalable creative foundation that could evolve alongside the platform, supporting Multiverse as it continues to help people build the skills needed for the future of work.