Design+ came to us looking for a redesign of their Innovation Toolkit. This information pack and course tools would be the core material for their innovation courses. The brief was for a toolkit that was engaging, durable and fit for purpose. The idea was also that this information pack could also be used again to help guide any future project the participants wanted to undertake after completing the course.
The toolkit would be used to define and develop an idea or approach a project without ideas yet. The Innovation Journey Map and individual cards guide the user through a process that identifies new opportunities and thinking. This process helps companies utilise the possibilities within their own business and bring out the best.
The main design element were the cards. They needed to be organised around the four distinct stages of the course – mapping, framing, ideating and actioning. Creating a user-friendly design was critical in assisting users in making the most out of the Toolkit/information pack. Engaging design would help inspire and get the most engagement.
Another key part of the project was the packaging design for the box the entire kit came in. This would be the user’s first impression of Design+ but also their first interaction with the course. Not only did it have to make a good impression, but it also needed to be sturdy enough to last the 6–8-week course, and beyond (for future use).
We created a toolkit that consisted of a customisable welcome card, a bespoke innovation journey map, a professionally designed brochure, 18 double sided cards and the design for the box itself. We used brand colours to give the user a sense of progress as they moved through the toolkit. We used different shades of blue to keep with Design+ branding.
We selected bespoke illustrations to give users a better understanding of what stage they were at and what the expected result would be. We ensured that each element of the toolkit was designed to work together to create an overall impression of professionalism. As a result of our experience with print and packaging production all elements of the toolkit functioned as expected. The Toolkit/information pack has been used by course participants and has received positive feedback.