Immigrant Education
Digital Service Design

The Immigrant Education Society (TIES) had approached a critical turning point. While their programs were vital to newcomers in Calgary, their digital presence told a different story—fragmented, outdated, and inaccessible.

We were initially brought on to redesign their website, but quickly uncovered broader opportunities to modernize TIES’ services. What started as a design task evolved into a full-scale transformation of their online education delivery—culminating in the launch of Calgary’s first completely free certified online ESL program.

Ideation

TIES needed more than a facelift—they needed a platform that reflected their mission: to empower immigrants and refugees to succeed in Canada. With new funding from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on the table, we worked with TIES leadership to draft a bold proposal to  redesign their website and modernize their online catalog. It was clear that the site needed four categories – three for clients, and one for industry partners. Proposing this framework (Language training, Employment training, Settlement assistance, and Research & Development) a proposal was made for the web redesign, brand transformation, and program development.

Execution & Production

Webdesign & Brand Transformation

We led the overhaul of the TIES website, re-architecting its entire structure to improve user navigation, mobile access, and accessibility. The work included:

  • Designing a new site map focused on user journeys for newcomers
  • Supporting a full visual and naming rebrand for the organization
  • Completing all graphic design assets to ensure brand consistency across digital assets
  • Creating multilingual access to support the diverse communities TIES serves
  • Creating secure client signup forms to access program services

It became clear that this could serve as more than a website – it could become a welcome mat to a new life in Canada.

Online ESL Program Development
Recognizing the demand for accessible English language instruction, we led the proposal and eventual creation of Calgary’s first free online ESL program, aligned to the Canadian Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) framework. This included:

  • Curriculum Adaptation: Transitioned the Canadian Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) curriculum to an online format, ensuring alignment with Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) levels 3 to 8.
  • Learning Management System (LMS) Implementation: Launched an LMS facilitating daily online lessons and activities, complemented by weekly one-on-one sessions with instructors via phone, Skype, or Zoom.
  • Instructor Training: Oversaw the training of instructors to effectively deliver online education and monitor student progress.
  • Volunteer Coordination: Recruited and managed volunteers to develop supplementary content, enhancing the learning experience.​

Results & Impact

In just three years, the newly launched TIES website and online ESL platform served more than 7,000 newcomers, providing a lifeline for individuals arriving from Colombia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and more. The site became especially critical during the COVID-19 pandemic, when digital delivery was the only safe option.

Key outcomes include:

  • Securing multi-million dollar annual funding from IRCC for continued operations
  • Establishing TIES as a digital-first leader in immigrant services
  • Providing accessible language instruction and local resources in multiple languages
  • Creating a platform that bridged the gap between newcomers and community

Expand your orbit

We’re a multi-disciplinary creative agency specializing in digital design, storytelling, and visual media. For over a decade, we’ve launched brands, campaigns, and content that don’t just shine—they leave a lasting impact.

If you’re ready to break through the atmosphere of ordinary and leave a mark that burns bright, you’re in the right place.