DevOps World 2020
Collaborating with CloudBees for their annual DevOps World is always a chance to push creative boundaries. DevOps World 2020 (our 5th!) was no different… except that it was ALL different.
Task
Create an identity for DevOps World that can extend across the entire event. The logo redesign should last year over year, where as the general look will change each year.
With the event going virtual, we were able to make recommendations and design for a brand new format. From the event branding to graphics packages that included video bumpers, presentation layouts, and transition animations, to the keynote presentations themselves, every component worked together to create an engaging experience for the remote audience.
While the event itself was set for mid-September 2020, we began collaborating with CloudBees in October 2019 to update their event brand. We began with an exploration phase and created a loose messaging guide identifying the core aspects and vision for the conference. Then we got to work reimagining the logo. Our goal was to create a new logo that could live on for many years and would represent the personality of DevOps World. After the logo and messaging guide was finalized, we moved into a full-graphic identity and brand guide for 2020.
This year, our three keynote presentations were created as animated graphics to complement greenscreen speaker videos which were created by FoxDog Consultants. For each of these keynotes, keeping the speaker onscreen most of the time was a priority, so while content was being created, CGI explored ways to add visual interest that would keep the audience engaged.
A virtual experience has a unique set of timeline considerations. So, as scripts began to approach completion, CGI was already creating the first full drafts of animated graphics so that the speakers would have the opportunity to see the visuals during recordings.
For the Day 1 welcome keynote…
we created graphics to support 3 presenter segments. We included a mix of lighter graphical moments with richer and sometimes full-screen content to help the audience focus their attention.
For the Day 2 keynote…
we dove into the details, and established a color-coded graphic system with repeating layouts to help orient the audience to the high-level message, and create a sort of a roadmap to the presentation.
For the Day 3 awards and panel presentation…
we shifted the look, moving away from the green screen approach. We created visuals that would overlay the presenter videos, as well as a template for multiple panel speakers. As with on-site events we wanted to support CloudBees with any last minute adjustments. So we collaborated remotely with the FoxDog team to work out any small adjustments that were needed.
In addition to the keynote presentation graphics, CGI created graphics packages for the event overall. We split this into two different systems – one graphics package specifically for the breakout sessions, and another for the keynote sessions.
For the keynotes, we designed a set of animated transitions. They were short, fun animations, under 10 seconds, designed to be a visual palate cleanser between sessions. We created each to align loosely to one of our three event pillars and to complement specific sessions. We also created speaker layouts, lower thirds, and bumper animations.
For the breakouts, we created and populated speaker layouts that were color-coded for each track, and layouts for panels with spaces for multiple speaker videos. We also created bumper animations specifically for the breakouts.
Last, but not least, we created a walk-in / walk-out presentation for each day, with a recommended countdown timer.
“You were all an instrumental part in the success of DevOps World! We cannot thank you enough for the great work you all contributed! We ended up at over 28,000 registrations (last I heard).”
— Heidi Gilmore, Area VP Marketing Communications, CloudBees
We led an input session and worked through iterations of a messaging platform to help shape all content for this years event.
The keynote presentations were designed and storyboarded along with speaker layouts to help composite speaker video with the presentation content.
We explored options for the look of this years event through mood boards and concept frames. We created a new logo to be used year over year as well as guidelines to help execute on the brand vision.
Our team designed 3 animated bumpers as well as a countdown, and simple transitions for between presenters.