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Scaling scholar design system from 1 to 10 brands
The move from a single brand to multi-brand stack, and in particular all the great work undertaken with Rick, Murray, Mahir and Jon on the creation of the unified design system feels like a huge milestone in transitioning to a global, multi-brand business.
Natalie Proctor - Director of Brands
Problem
BPP has been acquiring many other smaller educators across the world all with separate products, websites and visual language.
The design system for BPP was planned to support only one brand. Theming was not to be included in the design system when it was developed in 2023.
Opportunity
There is significant value in harmonising these brands together with a common a visual language to create a family of brands that grow and connect experiences.
BPP intends to keep all brands on separate domains but allow for localisation and some individuality but with shared user behaviour and common interaction patterns.
Expectation
Migrate all brands front-end websites to the same platform as BPP and allow their brand to use Scholar design system.
Misson & Goals
BPP’s vision is to become a global provider of professional education. Supporting a new generation of learners.
Goals assigned to this project:
Increase number of new clients
Increase cross-sell
Lower support costs
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Team involved
Director of Brands
Senior Product Designers
Head of Product Design
Marketing Designers
Head of Creative Services
Product Manager
Engineers
Starting point
The brand team at BPP had already started investigations into the benefits and possibilities of a harmonised groups of brands with their strategy partners Wolff Olins.The team at Wolff Olins had created examples of how the brands can all share the same visual language but with a new overarching parent brand, called Lyceum.
Lyceum’s purpose is to connect these multiple brands showcasing the breadth of learning available as well as the global possibilities BPP (and the 10 other brands) could now offer.
This was our starting point. Wolff Olins had started a concept of all brands sharing the same colour palette and typefaces. Working with the Brand & Marketing team along with my team of Senior Product Designers we explored how we can manage developing our design system to provide the base visual language for over 10 brands.
Original concept to allow all brands to share the same visual language.
Famous last words
M: Will our design system need theming in the future?
J: Don’t worry about theming, Scholar needs to work for just BPP alone.
M: Ok but are you sure? I can see the business has acquired several new brands recently.
J: Yes, just focus on one brand
M: Hmm, ok, because it’ll be harder to unpick a design system to introduce theming at a later date.
J: I understand, but stick with just BPP.
I initiated the thinking for the designers by encouraging them to consider how much a brand needs to be articulated from the design system. This would allow us to early on set the expectation and scope of work needed.
No theming
Theming runs through every component and token
Day OneArrive & Meet
As everyone arrives, we take time to settle in, get comfortable, and begin connecting with those around us. The journey starts here.
Check-In9:00 – 9:30am
Group Activity11:00am
Lunch Break12:30pm
Creative Workshop2:00pm
Dinner6:30pm
Day TwoSet Intentions & Reflect
Together, we pause to consider our goals, hopes, and direction. This is about aligning with ourselves and with the journey ahead. This is a chance to reconnect with what brought you here—your questions, your hopes, your turning points—and consider how they’ve shifted or deepened.
Check-In9:00 – 9:30am
Group Activity11:00am
Lunch Break12:30pm
Creative Workshop2:00pm
Dinner6:30pm
Day ThreeLook Forward & Wrap Up
We explore the possibilities beyond this moment, making space for growth, action, and forward momentum. As we end our time together, we honor the experience, the growth, and the connections made along the way.
Check-In9:00 – 9:30am
Group Activity11:00am
Lunch Break12:30pm
Creative Workshop2:00pm
Dinner6:30pm
How It Works-
Browse our upcoming events to find the one that feels right for you. We host events year-round in all different locations and climates.
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Sign up and pay all required fees to reserve your spot. If plans change, you can cancel up to 14 days before the retreat start to receive a 50% refund.
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After booking, we'll send you a Welcome Packet with everything you need to know—detailed schedules, packing list recommendations, add-ons to consider, and more.
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We'd recommend booking your transportation to and from the event as soon as possible, to ensure you can arrive without any complications or delays.
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Now all that's left to do is pack your bags and get excited for your new adventure.