Lucid Software Hackathon 2025 - designing the impossible
Hackathons are extremely collaborative, high-energy coding events where teams work together to quickly solve problems and create a finished product in a short amount of time. At Lucid, the annual hackathon is a cornerstone event that celebrates creativity, innovation, and cross-functional teamwork. But planning a successful hackathon requires more than a clever prompt and some snacks—it takes thoughtful coordination and a strong visual identity to bring the whole experience together.
At the beginning of the project, I met with the event planning team to discuss the creative direction for this year’s hackathon. They brought a rich trove of visual references—including the surreal architectural work of M.C. Escher and the immersive game design of Monument Valley. We compiled these examples into a Lucidspark board, annotating the elements that stood out: impossible staircases, floating pathways, and an overall sense of playful illusion. We wanted to drive home that there are several ways to solve complex problems, even when they seem impossible, you may just have to change your perspective.
After that initial brainstorm, I moved into exploration. To start, I built an isometric grid that would serve as the foundation for everything else. Working in skewed perspective can be tricky, especially when designing symbols that need to feel both dynamic and readable. I stripped my tools down to the simplest building block—an isometric square—and used that to construct a library of modular, 3D-like forms that I could duplicate and remix freely.
From there, I created two distinct directions. The first was built around an impossible shape—something visually striking and surreal—paired with clean, modern typography. The second took a more integrated approach, using the isometric building blocks to construct the entire event title as a typographic sculpture. I shared both options with the program team and we regrouped to discuss what was working, what wasn’t, and how to push the design even further.
Ultimately, the team chose the more customized typographic route. This choice came with some challenges—it required careful planning to ensure legibility, scalability, and visual cohesion. But it also unlocked opportunities to deepen the brand story. We added architectural elements like arches and staircases to connect the letterforms, reinforcing the theme of navigating complex ideas through creativity and structure.
Designing the branding for Lucid’s hackathon was a rewarding exercise in visual problem-solving and collaborative iteration. By drawing inspiration from fantastical architecture and building a toolkit that let us think in 3D, we created an identity that captured the spirit of the event—ambitious, imaginative, and impossible in all the right ways.
