The Making of MicroStrategy Mascot

Hey there!

Join me on an exciting adventure as I share my personal journey of creating Hackatron, our beloved MicroStrategy mascot. It’s incredible to see how Hackatron has evolved into a global symbol, representing our company’s innovation, boldness, and technology-savviness. I take great pride in capturing the essence of our MicroStrategy culture through this creation. Let’s embark on this remarkable tale together and celebrate the spirit of Hackatron that unites us all!

The initial inspiration for Hackatron came from a robot character I had designed for my graduation project back when I was studying at NYU. The game was called Robot 99, and the little red robot was a prominent figure throughout the game.

Fast forward to 2017, when the company was preparing for its first internal Hackathon. They needed a lively and joyful character to represent the event, and at that time, I had only recently joined the company.

“Keng Fu, we need your robot!” Jeff Courcelle, Chief Designer, suddenly approached me one day.

“Oh, okay…” I initially thought he was joking.

“No, seriously, we NEED your robot!”

And that’s how the name Hackatron came about. Since then, it has been widely used in various activities, from internal slogans and team events to external campus recruitment and commercial advertising. The design of Hackatron has continuously evolved and transformed over the years.

Early 2023, I received an email with unexpected surprise:

“The MicroStrategy Robot Goes Mainstream!” from our Chief Marketing Officer, Hugh Owen.

The email outlined the vision for a hackathon mascot that reflects the MicroStrategy culture: Distinctive, innovative, and technology focused. The project quickly gained momentum, and we presented the artist profile and design to CXO stakeholders.

The design process was an exhilarating journey. We brainstormed ideas to shape Hackatron’s personality, appearance, and unique characteristics. We sketched out different color options and carefully considered how the character would be integrated into our event materials. Our ultimate goal was to create a character that would boldly and innovatively embody the spirit of our MicroStrategy culture.

After much deliberation and careful consideration, we settled on a design for Hackatron and proceeded to bring it to life through 3D modeling. This allowed us to explore various angles and intricate details of the character’s design. Once the 3D model was finalized, we created a physical prototype to witness the seamless transition from the virtual realm to the tangible world. Adjustments were made to the character’s proportions, materials, and finishing touches to achieve the final design we envisioned.

With the design locked in, we moved forward with mass production, resulting in 5,000 delightful Hackatron characters. These toys were meticulously crafted using top-quality materials, giving them a weighty feel and movable parts. Thanks to an ingenious magnetic joint system, the character could strike different poses and even hold accessories. The matte finish added a touch of elegance, elevating the overall premium look and feel.

The exciting debut of Hackatron took place at MicroStrategy World 2023, our renowned global event that brings together professionals from all corners of the world. The response was nothing short of phenomenal, with attendees expressing their admiration for the character’s design and how it beautifully embodied our company’s culture and values.

During the event, Hackatron stole the spotlight, as attendees eagerly lined up to take photos with the larger-than-life 8-foot-tall poster, the vibrant neon banner, and the immersive 3D photo booth. Our Hackatron toys also became a sought-after souvenir, with many attendees happily taking them home.

A heartfelt thanks goes out to the incredible MKT team and everyone involved in making this project possible. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to embark on this creative endeavor. The World 2023 stands out as a highlight of this journey, marking a significant milestone in my artistic career. I deeply appreciate the collaboration and support throughout the design and production process.

The creation of Hackatron is a testament to the immense power of creativity and teamwork. Every step was a joy for the entire team, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to witness how this lovable character has become an iconic symbol within the MicroStrategy culture. Hackatron perfectly embodies the spirit of our company, and we eagerly anticipate the exciting future that lies ahead.

Thank you for reading my article about my design journey. I truly appreciate your support and interest. I’m looking forward future projects and can’t wait to share more! : )

More of my artwork can be found on https://www.behance.net/gallery/3556617/Fu-and-His-Robots

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/fudesignstudio/