Remote Learning Enablement

Developing the visual identity of a new learning initiative through illustration.
Company
IBM
My Role
Visual Designer
Type
Brand identity, Illustration
Tools
Illustrator, Procreate
Impact
Designed the brand identity and illustrations for a vital pandemic resource site, successfully launched to reach thousands of schools, students, and teachers nationwide.

what is it

A site dedicated to helping teachers, students, parents, and school administrators with the new concept of remote learning at the onset of the pandemic in the U.S.

This site would contain resources, tools, and downloadable content for schools learning to adapt to remote learning.

The Challenge

Students and teachers were quickly thrown into remote learning without any prior experience. 

As IBMers, we saw an opportunity to share our best practices for successfully working remotely during an unprecedented time. 

My role

I worked on the visual identity of the site.

My part on the project was focused on the visual identity and illustration. I collaborated with a team of designers, researchers, and business consultants bringing their expertise to different areas of the site.

The Goals

Create an easy to use site with tips and resources to help those not familiar with remote work. 

The site would offer tips based on IBMers’ experience with remote work, as well as access to our tools. The information would be geared towards students, teachers, parents, and school administrators. In terms of the illustration goals, the graphics would abstractly display different means of remote communication. They would also add delight to the experience of the site to lighten the mood during a time of stress and uncertainty.

Discovery & process

Rapid illustration & collaborative design

This site was a very fast paced project with a tight deadline. Within a week, the team created the content, site design, illustrations, and implementation. I worked closely with the designers on the project to create a large set of illustrations. We agreed on a set illustration style and a specific subset of colors from the IBM Design palette. We each chose a page of the site to create the main banner image and other smaller graphics that would sit beside the text. I created the main banner illustration on the landing page. The illustration shows speech bubbles between three houses sitting on a phone screen surface with a paper airplane flying by, showing the communication between those working from home. I also created several other smaller illustrations with the remote theme that are featured throughout the site. Through this process I learned how to work quickly and efficiently when choosing final ideas and refining them. I also learned new techniques in texture and shading. All of the designers had to ensure we were using similar styles so the images were consistent and cohesive. 

Outcome & Business value

National impact & community support

The site was quickly launched soon after and shared as a valuable resource for communication and remote learning in a time of uncertainty and panic. It was shared with thousands of school districts and students across the country for use. I am proud to have been a part of this project and able to help in some way during this time. 
Copyright © Marissa Kopelman 2025