Henkel R&D Hub and Academy e-Learning Relaunch

Henkel is a global leader in industrial and consumer brands, with a strong focus on innovation through its Research & Development teams.

We were approached by Henkel’s R&D department to reimagine their internal Hub and Academy e-Learning platform. The goal: create a space that feels inspiring, intuitive, and human, a distinct shift from the traditional, corporate SharePoint experience.

They wanted to move away from the classic Henkel red and formal tone, and instead build a fresh identity for the R&D Hub, one that encouraged exploration, learning and collaboration.

Designing within SharePoint can be limiting. We had to push the platform creatively to achieve a modern, visually engaging user experience while adhering to Henkel’s Brand Guidelines and maintaining functionality and compatibility with Henkel’s existing systems.

We also needed to redefine the brand language, giving it a more approachable and personable tone while being mindful not to lose credibility and professionalism expected in a global science and technology environment. Striking the right balance between engaging visual design and user accessibility was key to the project.

A thoughtfully designed digital community hub that invites Henkel R&D team members to learn, connect and grow.

• A clean and contemporary visual identity, moving away from Henkel’s traditional red and into a softer, more vibrant colour palette that feels fresh and welcoming.
• A more human approach to branding, with conversational copy, friendly iconography and a layout designed to make information easier to absorb.
• Intuitive navigation and engaging interactive elements that encourage deeper exploration of learning content.
• Custom SharePoint design that feels far from templated, pushing the boundaries of what the platform can do with rich visuals and a flexible layout.
• A responsive and scalable design, ensuring the Hub remains user-friendly and future-proof across international teams and time zones.

The result is a revamped and modernised digital hub, one that transforms how Henkel’s R&D teams access knowledge and training.

By streamlining content into bite-size, easily digestible pieces, we improved clarity and reduced barriers to learning. Information is now easier to find, understand and use, empowering team members to engage with training at their own pace.

The user journey has been carefully refined to feel seamless and intuitive, fostering a stronger culture of continuous learning and collaboration across Henkel’s global R&D community.

Creating an internal platform that not only looks and feels better, but works smarter, too.