Timeline

JUNE 2024 - SEP 2024

Meet Hacktor! :)

Hacktor in Action!:

Role

Co-Design Lead

Tools

Figma, Wordpress

⋆What is MHacks?⋆

MHacks, a student-run hackathon hosted by the University of Michigan, is one of the world's largest hackathons. Drawing over 500 students globally, it is a hub for like-minded individuals to collaborate on remarkable projects. Due to COVID-19, MHacks shifted its hackathons to an online format.

Virtual events lacked the energy and camaraderie of in-person gatherings, decreasing participant engagement and satisfaction.
Without the physical presence of an in-person event (from MHacks13-15), which had 100-300 applicants, it risked losing its identity and failing to distinguish itself in the crowded landscape of online hackathons.

⋆OUTCOME:

However, this year marks their return to an in-person event after years, prompting the need for a brand redesign to rejuvenate their reboot. Being a student voice on campus, I created content for MHack’s social media accounts and created a unique mascot.

⋆For MHacks16, we had…

1000+ Applicants (70% increase in applicants)
5.7k+ followers on Twitter (15% increase in followers)
1.2k+ followers on Instagram (33% increase in followers)

⋆For MHacks17, we had…

So jolly!

⋆Primary Insight #1

Drafts of Hacktor:

Without a strong brand, MHacks risked losing its identity in the crowded landscape of online hackathons - hence the birth of Hacktor!

The journey began with a spark of inspiration drawn from my love and interest in game development and pixel art. The director of MHacks gave me design freedom and exclaimed:

Go Wild!

With the design freedom I was given, I explored diverse concepts and themes to find the perfect blend of tech and whimsy for the hackathon mascot.

Hacktor is MHack16’s beloved mascot. He is a jolly robot that carries lollipops around to cheer up miserable stressed hackers. He loves electric music, watching rom-coms, and can make a mean batch of cookies.

⋆Primary Insight #2

MHacks Takeover the Michigan Engineering Page!

1300+ Applicants (30% increase in applicants from MHacks16)
5.8k+ followers on Twitter (3% increase in followers from MHacks 16)
1.4k+ followers on Instagram (21% increase in followers from MHacks 16)

MHacks' brand identity lacked resonance on social media platforms, hindering its ability to attract and retain participants.

Some branding sticker designs! Got to master Figma’s Pen tool :)

After the successful execution of this event, I’ve learned a tremendous amount about teamwork and social media strategy. I have also honed my design skills with Figma, and I'm excited to see the design skills I learned by collaborating with the MHacks team in my future endeavors.

Revitalized Social Media Presence: Implementing a strategic social media plan led to increased engagement, interaction, and brand visibility across platforms, fostering a sense of community among participants and sponsors.
Enhanced Brand Recognition: Consistent and impactful social media content strengthened MHacks' brand identity, attracting a wider audience and reinforcing its position as one of the biggest hackathons in the world.

After completing this entire execution, I came to a significant realization:

NEVER get attached to your designs…

Not all of the designs will materialize, and due to budget constraints we had, we were not given the design freedom we were promised :’)

MHacks 16 & 17

Digital Marketing and Website UI/UX Design