Oakling was born from Ivanka’s desire to create a fresh resource for classroom supplies. Tasked with naming the business and building its identity, we developed a brand that stood apart from competitors, offering maturity while focusing on learning and discovery.
In an industry crowded with playful, childish visuals, Oakling Educational Resources set out to create a more refined, educator-focused brand. Working closely with Ivanka, we developed a strategic approach to naming, brand positioning, and visual identity, all designed to appeal to teachers while fostering a sense of curiosity and growth in early learners.
Every brand we build starts with research. We don’t make decisions until we fully understand the market, and that’s exactly what we did for Oakling.
With classroom supplies expected to see major growth, many brands skewed too childlike for our target audience—educators. By identifying this gap, we proposed a fresh, nature-inspired brand that would stand apart and resonate with teachers while still sparking curiosity in students.
With a clear understanding of the market, we moved on to crafting Oakling’s brand positioning.
Oakling wasn’t just about selling classroom supplies—it was about empowering educators with the tools they need to foster growth.
By emphasizing strong customer relationships, high standards, and support for diverse learners, we positioned Oakling as a trusted partner for teachers across Canada.
The goal was to create a brand that feels accessible and professional, rooted in the needs of the educators it serves. This insight provided us the foundation we needed to craft the brand's purpose, mission, vision, and value statements.
To empower educators and caregivers by providing quality supplies and support that caters to the diverse needs of all learners for engaging, high-quality learning environments.
Choosing the right name is a crucial part of any new business.
For Oakling, we wanted a name that reflected both nature and education—something that would resonate with teachers while evoking a sense of growth. After exploring several options, we landed on “Oakling Educational Resources.”
The name “Oakling” draws from the strength and resilience of an oak tree, symbolizing the growth of young minds with the right guidance and tools.
The combination of nature and learning felt like the perfect representation of the brand’s mission to support educators in fostering curiosity and development in children.
When it came time to choose a visual direction, Ivanka was drawn to the concept we called “A Spark of Curiosity.” This direction captured the heart of Oakling’s mission—fostering learning, creativity, and curiosity in every classroom. The design brought these ideas to life through a welcoming and engaging visual identity that resonated with educators.
We developed a brand identity that felt mature yet approachable, steering clear of overly childish visuals often seen in the market. The colour palette was sophisticated, with natural tones inspired by growth and nature, creating a sense of calm and trust. The logo combined organic shapes that referenced both the oak tree and educational tools, symbolizing the stages of learning and growth.
Through thoughtful design, we created a brand that reflected Oakling’s story and values while positioning it as a fresh, professional partner for teachers. This visual identity set the foundation for Oakling’s future as a trusted resource in education.
With Oakling Educational Resources, we crafted a brand that goes beyond simply providing classroom supplies.
From a thoughtful name rooted in growth and resilience to the mature and engaging visual identity, every element of the brand reflects its mission to empower educators.
Through careful research, strategic positioning, and creative execution, Oakling now stands as a trusted partner in education, ready to inspire curiosity and foster learning across classrooms in Canada.
