Brainly · 2023
An event to inspire the next wave of innovation in Ed-tech
BKO'23 was Brainly's first company-wide kick-off after the pandemic. Teams from around the world flew to Kraków to align on the next steps for the Ed-tech platform. I was embedded as a designer and took the lead on this event-branding project.
The Context
The last BKO brought together less than 50 people, this time it was 400, from offices across the world. This event needed to say we are still “One Brainly”. With a strong brand & several sub-brands already in use for ERGs & internal programs. This could have been a simple application exercise. Instead we decided to explore and aim to inspire.
The Decision [1]
Testing and resetting the boundaries. An early version pulled the Brainly "B" into the BKO letter-mark. Working through it with the core brand team, we agreed it set a wrong precedent. The goal was to stretch the brand, not snap it. I instead started searching for an abstract representation of coming together.
The Decision [2]
With my aim to inspire and the whole company seeing “BKO'23” slack messages for months at this point, a mark on the edge of legibility felt right. Stand alone shapes coming together with one through-line, the triangle.
The Work [1]
The brand lived on screens. An event does not. I cut the palette down to colours that would survive print, then used that smaller set everywhere the company would actually stand in front of it.
The Work [2]
I love swag. It is the physical reminder that stays with you after an event. So how can we make sure it lands in the hands of those who love it too? Answer: don't hand out swag, make people earn it. Stickers left on seats at each session got you halfway there. The rest came from completing special tasks. The badge became a game card.
The Landing
People didn't just notice the identity. They felt pride in it, a sense of belonging to a company that would push this far and deliver at this quality. It was some of the most direct feedback I've ever received from the people I designed for. A lot went into making BKO'23 work. The branding was the part that made that effort felt.
Got an idea? Let's craft it into a story, bad jokes welcome.
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