Alex Sasov

Leagues of code

Digital identity

Online programming and maths academy for the next generation of ingenious young innovators

Year

2020

Field

Startup

Role

Product designer

Location

Barcelona

Leagues of code

Digital identity

Online programming and maths academy for the next generation of ingenious young innovators

Year

2020

Field

Startup

Role

Product designer

Location

Barcelona

Leagues of code

Digital identity

Online programming and maths academy for the next generation of ingenious young innovators

Year

2020

Field

Startup

Role

Product designer

Location

Barcelona

Challenge

"Leagues of Code" was established as an online academy designed to empower young learners (ages 10-18) in programming and math. The challenge was to create a brand that appealed to both students and their parents - instilling confidence in parents while presenting a bold, competitive edge for young students. The brand needed to stand apart from typical children’s brands, striking a balance between professional rigor and youthful accessibility.

Go to the website

Challenge

Go to the website

Challenge

Go to the website

Branding

After conducting in-depth customer interviews, we identified key insights into the audience: while students sought engaging, challenge-driven content, parents prioritized educational rigor and long-term skill development. Based on this, we developed a brand identity that was "empowering," "bold," and "clever," intentionally deviating from vibrant, playful tones typical of youth brands. This strategic choice established Leagues of Code as a sophisticated and trusted learning platform for serious young learners. We crafted messaging guidelines emphasizing progress, competition, and innovation, which shaped our visual and verbal brand assets.

Branding

Ranking System

Content symbolism

Design strategy

With a clear brand identity in place, we focused on transforming the learning experience into a game-like journey that reflected real-world achievements. In response to the pandemic’s impact on student engagement, we implemented a ranking-based system instead of traditional grades. This “Only Up” system encouraged consistent growth by rewarding incremental progress, aiming to increase student motivation and resilience.

Design strategy

Website & student portal

Our approach divided the project into two core digital products  

Internal Platform
The student portal, where learners accessed classes, personal sessions, and interactive elements within the "Leagues of Code" curriculum. To create a seamless user journey, we ensured a modular design to support iterative testing and updates.  

External Platform
The public-facing website aimed to inform and attract new customers, featuring educational resources and clear guidance for parents looking to enroll their children. Given the parent demographic's high expectations for clarity and accountability, we emphasized transparency and informativeness in every digital touchpoint.

Outcomes

Enhanced engagement
The ranking system increased student retention by 30%, encouraging a competitive and goal-oriented learning environment  

Increased brand recognition
By positioning Leagues of Code as an empowering and clever brand, we saw a 20% increase in social media engagement within the first quarter post-launch, particularly among parents sharing their children's achievements.  

Optimized development efficiency
The modular design approach enabled a 40% reduction in update times, allowing the team to implement rapid, data-informed iterations that improved user experience.