Make it feel like a game

NexEd set out to prove that education for young students could be just as engaging as their favorite games. We took cues from retro games like Mario, Minecraft, and Battlestar to create a design language full of playful cues, bold colors, and gamified progress, all wrapped in a clean interface that keeps the focus where it matters.

We wanted to make progression feel tangible. The solution was a game-inspired map where every module is a destination, every path a step forward. Clear goals, visual rewards, and small moments of discovery keep students motivated to see what’s next.

Adding fun, without losing focus

NexEd already had gamification built into their eductional system, we needed to elevate it to the next level.

We struck a balance between playful visuals and functional layouts. Pixel icons, gem counters, and streak trackers add personality, while clean typography and structured layouts keep the content easy to follow. The result? Students stay engaged without getting lost.

Scalable and accessible

If you ask students one feature they want: It’s dark mode! And we wanted it to. Setting up a deeply integrated token structure in the design system, allowed for two immersive modes, easily implemented. All while maintaining WCAG3.1 AA color contrast (required for the European Accesibility Act).

Client

NexEd

Agency

Hyra

Design

Tom Spel

Implementation

NexEd