Project
INTRODUCTION
Hone is an Edtech start up founded in 2023 by Ria O’Sullivan, a Marketing Director in the Higher Education (HE) space. Build specifically for HE, Hone is a modern learning and development platform designed for institutions ready to invest in their people and unlock their full potential.
In a space where no other platform is tailored exclusively to the needs of HE, Hone offers something genuinely different. It brings together learning, professional development, connection and well-being in one seamless experience - helping teams feel more motivated, supported and empowered in their roles.
From marketing and recruitment to admissions and communications, Hone equips individuals and teams across HE with the tools, skills and confidence they need to thrive.
Brand story
After nearly twenty years in HE - working within institutions, alongside agencies, and as a consultant - Ria saw a clear and persistent gap. There was no single platform designed to build individual’s confidence, deepen knowledge, encourage meaningful connections and truly empower teams to achieve better things.
At the same time, the skills required to succeed in HE are constantly evolving. Yet the funding, tools and support available to Directors and Heads to attract, develop and motivate their teams often fall short when compared to other sectors.
That’s why Hone was created.
Hone isn’t death by PowerPoint or uninspiring tick-box training. Instead, it’s built to genuinely engage, inspire and empower individuals to grow and achieve.
Hone is on a mission to deliver expert-led learning for the HE sector, with a refreshing dose of energy, creativity and fun.
Brief
Craft a brand that captures a powerful contrast - bold and disruptive, yet supporting and empowering.
We defined the brand as the ‘smart, cool auntie’ - knowledgeable and trustworthy for serious topics, but always approachable, upbeat, positive and a little bit sassy. It’s a voice that encourages, uplifts and connects, without feeling overly formal.
Positioned as a hero in HE learning and development, that brings the energy and personality to the space - delivering content in a way that feels engaging, relatable and genuinely enjoyable.
Outcome
We responded by creating a bold, edgy and modern brand identity that reflects Hone’s innovative approach - standing apart from the sea of navy palettes and generic stock images you typically see in the sector.
The visual system combines simple geometric shapes with confident typography and a bright, high-contrast colour palette. Blending shapes, patterns and edgy illustrative creatives with a clean, accessible design style.
The result is a flexible brand ecosystem that can evolve alongside the platform - designed to scale seamlessly across the UX platform and content, while continually introducing fresh and engaging visual elements.
Logo Design
