Zehn

Zehn was created to rethink how professionals learn in fast moving, high stakes environments where information is abundant but educational resources are often not centralized.

When KAL partnered with the Zehn team, the objective was not to design another e-learning platform, but to build an intelligent, scalable and tech first learning system that transformed content into an opportunity to upskill. The experience needed to serve consultants and business professionals who have limited time, high expectations, and various learning styles to ensure retention was high and learnings could be immediately applicable in real-world scenarios.

We began auditing thousands of pages of curated content focused on specific topic areas, developing a curriculum mapped to learning objectives. That led to an in-depth content mapping initiatives, working closely with Zehn’s leadership team to structure learning pathways across each of the three learning personas. Instead of organizing content by abstract topics, we mapped courses to moments of need such as new employees, change management, leadership, communication, and decision-making.

This ensured the platform was able to support how professionals sought knowledge: on-demand, in context, and with a clear path from concept to application.

Naming was developed in parallel to give the product and its core experiences a clear, ownable voice that feels confident, modern, and purposeful. We developed the name “Zehn” to connect the calmness and focus we wanted to mind to experience when engaging with the platform.

The name Zehn balanced components of learning that included

Cognition: Acquiring knowledge and understanding.
Emotion: The feelings that shape our learning.
Behavior: The actions that express our growth.

That learning construct and multi-sensory approach to learning informed every design decision that followed.

The brand identity was created with intention, using warm, layered color fields, organic shapes, and a sense of forward motion that mirrors the idea of progress, which carries consistently across the landing experience, the learning environment, and supporting communications, reinforcing trust and continuity as users move between discovery and deep engagement.

The user experience was designed as a guided journey. We structured the platform around progressive learning paths that help users understand where to start, what to focus on next, and how concepts build over time. Navigation patterns emphasize orientation and momentum, allowing learners to move fluidly between lessons, reflections, resources, and assessments without friction. This approach supports both quicker learning and longer-form development tracks, accommodating the varied rhythms of professional work.

The design of the user interface reinforces that clarity. The interface balances warmth and discipline, using negative space, clear hierarchy, and approachable typography to reduce cognitive load while maintaining credibility. Graphical elements, textures, data visualization and a modular grid were used to design and highlight learning moments and key ideas, while creating visual continuity across lessons. Iconography was developed as a functional layer within the system, acting as visual cues for content types, progress states, and learning modes. These icons help users quickly understand where they are and what action to take next, supporting an intuitive flow through the modules.

Each E-learning module focused on making learning feel active. Lessons combine short-form instruction with reflection prompts, interactive elements, and knowledge checks that ensure the learner is understanding and retaining without the module feeling didactic. The structure of each module supports retention by breaking complex topics into manageable sequences, allowing learners to build confidence through progress. Programming brought this experience to life, ensuring the platform performs smoothly across devices and supports the adaptive behaviors required for a modern learning product.

At the center of the experience is the AI avatar, able to speak over 140 languages, and carefully curated and cited LLM configuration, designed to function as a contextual learning companion rather than a generic chatbot. The avatar provides guidance, answers questions in the moment of need, and helps learners navigate content based on their role, goals, and progress. This transforms the platform from a static repository of content into an adaptive system that responds to how each learner engages. The tone and presence of the avatar were carefully designed to feel professional, supportive, and credible, reinforcing trust while encouraging exploration.

The final Zehn platform brings curriculum strategy, brand identity, UX/UI, and AI into a unified learning system designed for real professional use. It reframes e-learning from content consumption into capability building, creating an experience where knowledge is not just delivered but activated.