Outschool is an online learning marketplace founded in 2015 that connects independent teachers with K-12 students through live, small-group interactive classes and after-school clubs.[1] The company’s visual identity was overhauled in 2022 as part of a rebranding effort centered on the sentiment “Set learning free.”[2]
Design and History
In 2022, Outschool launched a new brand identity developed in collaboration with the design studio Geist.[1] The project involved redefining the brand narrative and creating a digital-first identity system that extended into product design, ensuring the refreshed brand carried across digital experiences.[3]
The rebrand replaced the previous identity, which featured an “OS” letter combination and a thinner type style, with a new wordmark set in a heavy, all-caps grotesque typeface.[4] The earlier gray-blue color was dropped in favor of a vibrant purple.[4] The new look was introduced to reflect Outschool’s “bold, unique, and diverse community of learners and educators.”[2]
Meaning and Symbolism
The centerpiece of the new logotype is its “OO” ligature, which combines the two O’s in “Outschool” into a single connected form.[1] The design team at Geist dubbed this element “The Squidge,” describing it as exuding “a spirit of flexibility, curiosity, and fun” while hinting at the endless learning opportunities Outschool offers.[1] The OO pairing was designed to bring a playful, ownable element to an otherwise all-caps typographic block.[4]
Typography and Design
The Outschool wordmark is set in a heavy, all-caps grotesque typeface.[4] The logotype uses Ginto Normal, while headlines use Ginto Nord, a typeface described as a more charming and playful interpretation of 1960s modernist typography.[4] The brand system also includes typography, color, and motion systems designed to balance “playful irreverence and educational authority.”[1]
Outschool’s brand guidelines for educators describe the logo color as “peacock” and recommend using it on lighter backgrounds for contrast.[5] The Outschool name and logo are registered trademarks owned by Outschool, Inc.[6]
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