We designed and built a new era of e-learning platform

A future-proof platform that supports growth

Celebrity Cruises in Miami approached us to replace their existing online training platform which had aged. Our brief was to design and build a brand-new e-learning programme for travel professionals across North America. We were asked to:

• • Deliver a first-class digital experience that was easy to navigate, intuitive and interactive.
• • Bring the brand to life in a refreshing way.
• • Provide succinct, on-brand copywriting.
• • Deliver a new, future-proof e-learning platform.

A programme with users at its heart

We created a survey to build a clearer picture of users’ needs and requirements for the new platform – what they liked about it and what they felt could work better. One of the insights from our research showed that time-pressed users were keen to know how they were progressing through their learning journey. We added signposts throughout the platform to make it easy for users to track their progress and clearly see their next steps at all times.

An immersive brand experience

Ultimately, we wanted the platform to be an interactive and engaging experience where navigation was seamless, and travel professionals could easily pick up from where they left off. We created a sleek new design style, reflecting the brand’s premium and modern visual identity, with a keen eye on creating an intuitive and clear user journey across the platform. Throughout, we incorporated dynamic elements to show users how they were progressing. Our platform is truly tailored to the needs and visual style of our client and creates a fully immersive brand experience.

A tiered training structure

Keeping the copy to a minimum, we structured a three-tiered learning programme. Starting off with the basics, we then took users on a deeper dive, before ending on selling tips to help boost sales. We focused on creating bite-sized pieces, so time-pressed travel professionals could take in key information, fast. The platform also allows the user to display all content in their preferred language – it’s a multi-language platform offering English, Spanish and French Canadian – so we were careful to avoid phrases that would get lost in translation.

A dashboard with a difference

The e-learning platform had multiple elements to it, so we were keen to create a dashboard that helped users navigate their way through the complexities of the site with:

• Personalised content tailored to that user.
• Dynamic content that directed the user towards the next course.
• User tracking that clearly showed the user’s progress and next steps.

Perfectly seamless integrations

For superior user journeys, we integrated the e-learning site with Celebrity Cruises’ US hub via single sign-on – ensuring a flawless sign-in process for greater convenience and security. The site is also integrated with Salesforce, sharing key learning metrics with our client’s CRM. This means that sales teams out on the road can easily access insights on how much training their partners have undertaken.

Tailored reporting and flexible analytics

We built a tailored reporting area so the client could see live metrics of all their key stats, ensuring they could pull together the information needed for a quarterly report in seconds. We also built a bespoke analytics system that allowed us to target key areas of the site and cover all metrics that were useful for current and future data analysis. This system allowed us to keep tighter control of the data in line with data protection policies.

An accessible e-learning platform

Our platform is fully WCAG AA conforming allowing learners of all abilities to easily navigate the site and engage with its content. With everything from screen reader compatibility to fully mobile responsive and intuitive design, we built a platform that was as inclusive as it was innovative.

A game changer for travel agents

Even though the content is in bite-sized pieces, we wanted to keep the learning process more memorable with interactive tasks and activities like word searches, matchups and crosswords. We built these interactive elements into the Content Management System, so the client can create their own interactive experiences in the future with no need for a developer.

Future proof and forward facing

We paved the way for our client to fulfil their business ambitions with confidence. As Celebrity Cruises expands, the platform is flexible enough to cope with future development as well as any new features the business requires.

A recipe for success

In its first week alone, the platform attracted 3,000 registered users and saw 20,000 course completions — a remarkable start to a new era in training. We’re excited to see it continue to grow.