GraphQL Summit - Visual & UX/UI Design

GraphQL Summit 2022

Apollo GraphQL is a tech company that helps developers build apps faster through open-source technology called GraphQL. The company hosts a conference promoting the value of GraphQL each year. The conference is geared towards Product Leaders, Software Developers, and Engineers. Although Apollo hosts the event, it is not Apollo- branded. I was responsible for creating a unique visual voice for the conference.

My Role: Lead Visual & UX/UI Designer
Team Members: Event Director, Video Designer, Event Planning Agency
Time Length: 3 months
Tools: Figma

Conference Goals

After brainstorming ideas with the Event Director, we decided that the tone of the brand should be joyful and depict images associated with the city of San Diego. The mood board I created sets the tone and design direction for the brand.

Visual Design

Brand Guidelines

I created brand guidelines to define the color palette, logo lockups, button styles, typeface, and illustration styles.

For the landing page, I incorporated vibrant colors, subtle details like code on the buildings, and modular elements like the speed boat, plane and palm trees.

I designed editable social media templates in Figma so the Marketing team could generate their own promotional assets.

I designed stickers and pins for engineers at Apollo who wanted to represent their specific departments at the conference.

I provided the video team with assets, such as banners and illustrations that could be used in promotional videos.

I designed branded swag such as t-shirts for all employees to wear at the conference.

UX/UI Design

Why did we need a mobile app?

Journey Mapping

I mapped out the navigation for the mobile app before beginning wireframes.

Wireframing

I created lo-fi wireframes of each page and interactive functions of the app.

Style Guide

I created a style guide to be referenced for future conferences.

Hi-fi Wireframes

I applied new branding and custom icons to hi-fi wireframes.

Designed responsive elements such as drop-down features and nav bar.

UX Research

I worked with the UX researcher to come up with post-conference questions for a group of 45 attendees. These insights can be used to create a more intuitive app next year.