Jill and 3.5 generations of logos

Jill & 3.5 generations of logos

I met Jill Celeste in 2017. In 2018, I joined a virtual networking group she hosted,
Virtual Networkers. Back then, in the summer of 2018, we were a handful of female entrepreneurs meeting each Friday morning on Zoom.

Jill was also the founder of “Celestial University”, an educational platform teaching marketing and mindset topics to female entrepreneurs. In 2019, she entrusted me with the assignment of creating a logo and visual branding for Celestial University, including the website and a huge amount of visual touch points.

Virtual Networkers grew, and the need for a common visual identity arose. In 2020, we created a logo for the network, which was in use until March 2024. At this point, Virtual Networkers had over 60 members in 5 chapters, with members from 11 countries. Jill’s vision of a global network for female entrepreneurs was becoming a reality. It was time to let the logo reflect this and cut the cord to Celestial University. Virtual Networkers is now on its own legs. The Network has so far had two in-person events (2025 and 2026) called The Sisterhood Soiree. This event has also been given its own logo.

Let’s LOOK at the evolution.

The sharp observer will notice that there is a visual consistency running through all this. :

1. Jill’s choice of the butterfly as an icon for Celestial University was very personal, and the story is hers to tell. We did realize, though, that the butterfly is a very common symbol of transformation and easy to understand as such. Jill’s vision for her students is transformation and the tagline “transform and take flight” brought it all together nicely. It is no coincidence that the butterfly consists of two hearts. I cannot think of anyone more entitled to have hearts in her logo than Jill. The colors are partly inherited from Jill’s earlier business as a coach and tie back even further in time.

2. Virtual Networkers was originally a part of Celestial University,
so the butterfly flew happily into Zoom.

3. Global ambitions. Knowing Jill and her history, it is no wonder why the butterfly is now also a global flyer.

4. In the event logo, the hearts have taken the main stage, symbolizing members who finally get to meet in real life and the new contacts that will emerge. The Star in the center is what we call a “designer bonus”. This is when the negative shape created by the parts of a logo or icon becomes both conspicuous and relevant. The vision for these events is that they will remain as shining stars in the minds of the attendees and be a source of energy and inspiration in their businesses.

Celestial University, branding and illustration

Working with the Celestial University and creating the virtual campus is one of the funniest illustration tasks I’ve ever done. I am not from the US and have never been to a college like this, so I had to study college buildings online and try to convey the campus feeling to the best of my ability.

The Celestial University also had A LOT of visual touch points, both in the student platform website and in the customer side website, and only a very few of them are displayed here. I am sad that the Celestial University is no longer open. For me it was a great exercise in keeping things on brand across every tiny detail.