Makersquare Logo Design, Branding & Marketing

Overview

MakerSquare, now known as Hack Reactor, required a comprehensive branding overhaul to reflect its standing as a premier coding bootcamp. The challenge was to create a visual identity that would resonate across its locations in Austin, San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles, and solidify its brand in the competitive coding education market.

As the Lead Designer, I was tasked with developing MakerSquare's new branding, which included creating a logo, updating the branding and style guide in collaboration with the marketing team, and designing interior wall installations for each campus.

Process

I undertook the creative process to craft MakerSquare's new logo and visual elements, ensuring they aligned with the brand's educational philosophy and appeal to a tech-savvy audience.

I collaborated with the marketing team to develop a cohesive branding update and style guide that would be integral to MakerSquare's identity.

The original Makersquare campus was in Austin, Texas on busy, central Congress Avenue. An early iteration of the logo and wordmark were emblazoned on a custom sign.

I designed and executed various branded materials, including fliers, business cards, letterheads, and banners, which played a critical role in the brand refresh.

I also facilitated community engagement by designing promotional materials and orchestrating the venue for a talk by Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit, at the MakerSquare Austin campus. This event was a testament to MakerSquare's growing influence and commitment to tech education.

Promotional materials for the Alexis Ohanian (Reddit co-founder) speaking event at MakerSquare Austin

In addition to developing the branding and style guide, I played a key role in MakerSquare's recognition at a national level, contributing to our invitation to a White House summit focused on tech education.

The rebranding and my contributions to MakerSquare's educational mission were validated by the company's trust in my leadership and vision, demonstrated by my relocation to San Francisco to spearhead the launch of the new campus.

Logo Design & Brand Identity

The MakerSquare logo needed to embody the intersection of craftsmanship and technology. The geometric "M" represents both the structural precision of code and the creative problem-solving mindset of makers. The square element reinforces the systematic approach to learning while maintaining approachability for students from diverse backgrounds.

Typography and color choices were carefully selected to appeal to both technical professionals and career changers, balancing professionalism with the innovative spirit of the coding bootcamp movement.

Comprehensive Brand System

Comprehensive branding overview showcasing logo variations, typography, and brand guidelines

Branded materials including business cards, stickers, and promotional swag developed for MakerSquare's comprehensive rebrand

Branded apparel and environmental design for the San Francisco campus launch

Environmental branding and signage for the Los Angeles campus expansion

Impact & Recognition

The comprehensive rebrand positioned MakerSquare as a leader in coding education, directly contributing to significant business milestones and industry recognition.

The brand's strength was validated through high-profile speaking engagements, including hosting Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, demonstrating MakerSquare's credibility within the tech ecosystem.