Designing the experience behind Canada’s largest hackathon
Role
Design Lead
Timeline
Apr 2021 - Feb 2022
team
Product Designers:
Leon Han, Sophie Wang
Graphic Designers:
Grace Gao, Rachel Xu
The Problem
A new kind of hackathon: bridging the gap between virtual & in-person
For the first time ever, Hack the North was going hybrid—a shift driven by COVID-19 safety measures. For us, that meant reinventing the experience to bring the same sense of energy and connection to both digital and in-person spaces.
We weren’t just designing screens or signage—we were crafting a cohesive, accessible ecosystem. The real challenge was balance: creating immediacy and immersion for both on-campus attendees and those joining remotely, not by recreating the past, but by designing a new experience for a broader, more diverse audience.
my role
Leading with Process & Purpose
In my role as Design Lead, I shaped both the work and how we worked. I guided 4 designers, oversaw a dozen+ digital and print projects, and led key initiatives like our website and dashboards. I also partnered closely with cross-functional leads in marketing, engineering and more to align on org. goals and priorities.
To support our remote setup, I embedded DesignOps into our daily workflow — from kickoff calls and retros to structured feedback loops and Gantt charts — helping us maintain quality, consistency, and momentum across every project.
Key deliverables
Setting the foundation: defining the event theme
From the workshops, we were able to gather inputs and distill them into a shared moodboard to clarify and consolidate the brand direction. We explored motifs, layouts, and interactions. I then scoped each concept, evaluating narrative strength, brand alignment, voice and tone, and experience quality, while collaborating with marketing and engineering to ensure feasibility. From this process, the event theme emerged: Storybook, a reminder that even in uncertain times, we can write our own adventures.
Key deliverables
Where the story begins: event website
Once the theme was set, we turned our attention to the website—the first touchpoint for hackers, mentors, and sponsors. I kicked things off by building a shared design system to streamline workflows across design and engineering. This included grids, typography, and reusable components—laying the groundwork for consistency, scalability, and speed across our digital touchpoints.
Inclusivity has always been central to Hack the North, and our designs reflected that. I spearheaded the development of an accessibility checklist based on WCAG, prioritizing dyslexia-friendly fonts, ample spacing, color contrast, alt text, and plain language to create a truly inclusive site. This checklist was applied before, during, and after each project launch, ensuring everything we designed was accessible and maintained consistent quality.
With design standards in place, we dove into wireframing, exploring patterns to create a clear and engaging experience. Collaborating closely with engineering, we tackled edge cases and technical challenges, such as 404 screens. We tested extensively; for example, one internal feedback round alone produced over 100 points, which I prioritized and organized into phased iterations to refine the site while staying aligned with our timeline and goals.
What started as a theme became a fully launched site in under a month. Every element—from labels to micro-interactions—was designed to build trust and excitement, turning curiosity into thousands of applications from intrigued hackers.
the outcome
Design impact
Thanks to everyone’s hard work, our first hybrid hackathon was a success! The brand and product experience helped bridge the physical and digital divide — creating a unified, accessible, and imaginative environment that felt uniquely Hack the North.
THE outcome
Reflection
Behind all the glitz and glam, Hack the North is an organization led by aspiring, upcoming PMs, engineers, and designers, trying to create a community for like-minded peers to explore their passions in tech and make a positive impact.
This experience reminded me that great design begins with empathy and ends with intention. When we truly listen, stay flexible, and design with care, we create experiences that genuinely connect. That mindset applies not just to the product, but to DesignOps and the team behind it. As a first-time design lead, I learned that supporting a team isn’t just about processes—it’s about fostering a community where creativity can flourish and generate impact that spreads positivity.
