Sonatype: Launching the Origami Spaceship
Role: Lead Designer
Team: Marketing, Design, Developer Relations
Tools: Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop
Focus Areas: Visual Design, Asset Creation, Event Branding, Brand Exploration, Campaign Design
When Sonatype unveiled its new space-themed rebrand, the Developer Relations team wanted a standout way to share the company’s mission with developers worldwide. The goal was to design an interactive piece that not only showcased Sonatype’s offerings but was engaging enough to earn a permanent spot on desks — rather than being discarded after an event.
Challenge/Overview
As Sonatype embraced a bold new identity centered on exploration and innovation, our goal was to create a tangible piece that embodied that adventurous spirit. The Developer Relations team needed a handout that combined useful developer resources with a sense of play and discovery, helping Sonatype stand out in a crowded conference landscape.
The concept had to strike a careful balance — informative enough to communicate Sonatype’s value, yet creative enough to spark curiosity and conversation.
Process
Designing the origami spaceship was a new and exciting challenge. I led the structure and layout independently, experimenting with folds and flat designs to create a dimensional, interactive piece.
I wanted to make sure this spaceship could be printed and assembled at home by curious developers too so I printed, reprinted, and refolded multiple times to ensure the design worked seamlessly for both U.S. Letter and A4 sizes, with all folds, lines, and labels perfectly aligned for legibility.
Once the structure was finalized, I collaborated with the DevRel team to refine the content on each panel, balancing links, copy, and visuals to guide developers while keeping a fun, approachable tone.
Using bold gradients, vibrant lines, and geometric detailing, I created a design that reflected Sonatype’s cosmic aesthetic while remaining functional. Each panel served a purpose, from QR codes to concise messaging about innovation and community.
Solution/Results
The Sonatype Origami Spaceship was a fun, innovative handout that complemented the company’s rebrand. Developers praised it for being both playful and functional, with many keeping theirs as desk décor or conversation starters, helping the DevRel team build long-term brand connection.
The handout was a hit with developers, praised for being both fun and functional. Many attendees kept theirs as desk décor or conversation starters, helping the DevRel team strengthen long-term brand connection well beyond the event itself.
The project demonstrated how thoughtful, tactile design can make a brand’s story tangible — turning a marketing asset into an experience that transcends borders and reminded me that great doesn’t just inform, but also invites, interaction, curiosity, and play.
