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Rebranding an Open Source Team for an Open Future

Overview

Building community within emerging technologies.

The {code} team, first launched as the open source division of EMC, began branding work with Fullstack in 2016 when EMC & Dell Computers agreed to merge as the newly formed DellEMC. The {code} initiative had reached success as future DellEMC customers interacted through the {code} community and its platforms. Starting in 2018, {code} was moving to encompass all of open source under Dell Technologies. The {code} team and Fullstack came together to create a cohesive brand platform to support the transition, but more importantly solidify the {code} team as a leader in the open source community and setup the brand for the open future ahead.

Discovery

The goal: re-introduction, and unity.

Starting in 2014, EMC {code} launched as a strategic initiative with support from executive management, and aspirations of community focus, project transparency, and openness. As the team gained traction over time, so did its reach — beginning with a few projects, to launching the {code} community in 2015, followed by developer and advocate programs, to attending, hosting and sponsoring many conferences and events. As {code} prepared for its switch to Dell Technologies, it was time to bring it all together and re-introduce it to the world.

365

Days spent working
with the {code} team

15

Team & community
interviews conducted

7

Companies supported within
Dell Technologies

Discovery

The goal: re-introduction, and unity.

Starting in 2014, EMC {code} launched as a strategic initiative with support from executive management, and aspirations of community focus, project transparency, and openness. As the team gained traction over time, so did its reach — beginning with a few projects, to launching the {code} community in 2015, followed by developer and advocate programs, to attending, hosting and sponsoring many conferences and events. As {code} prepared for its switch to Dell Technologies, it was time to bring it all together and re-introduce it to the world.

Brand Promise

Old brand promise
New brand promise

Identity

Making every {code} detail inclusive.

Armed with an understanding of the {code} team and the community needs, we took inventory of the way the {code} brand was expressed visually. We identified the {code} logo, style, and illustrations as key pieces of their identity to focus on. Extending this identity across important touch points would ensure a cohesive experience no matter how users interacted with {code}.

Logo

EMC Code logo
Black arrow pointing right
{code} by Dell EMC initial logo
Black arrow pointing right
The Code Team final logo design

Style

EMC Style

EMC: Passion, Authority;
Reliability and Innovation

Black arrow pointing right
Confident, dark style

DellEMC: Dark, Confident and Vibrant;
Strength and Assurance

Black arrow pointing right
Bright, fresh, energetic

Dell Tech: Bright, Fresh and Energetic;
Authenticity, Humanity and Inviting

Font

Meta Pro

From EMC: Meta Pro, Architects Daughter, Arial

Black arrow pointing right
Roboto

From DellEMC & Dell Tech: Replica, Roboto, Arial

Color

From EMC colors

From EMC

Black arrow pointing right
From DellEMC

From DellEMC

Black arrow pointing right
to Dell Tech

From Dell Tech, but customized

Illustration

Didn't exist originally
Black arrow pointing right
REX-Ray illustration

Loved by many, the REX-Ray
artwork started from a project

Black arrow pointing right
rex-ray color illustration

REX-Ray brought into the
world as {code} sees it

Voice & Approach

Forward thinking

From EMC

Black arrow pointing right
From DellEMC

From DellEMC

Black arrow pointing right
to {code}

From Dell Tech, but customized

Touch Points

Bringing the new {code} brand to life.

With the brand elements refreshed, we moved to re-design each touch point to look, feel, and express {code}’s community first approach. Each piece helps to expand the brand across new mediums.

{code} Newsletter

Re-designed and optimized.

newsletter before and after

{code} Events

Re-designed with the all-new look & feel.

events mockup

Strategy

Creating a space for open source to thrive

With the brand's promise & identity set, our final step was to create a plan that would foster awareness, loyalty, and growth. Working alongside the {code} team, we crafted a strategy that would powerfully reinforce their value, allowing them to consistently grow and retain users.

Results

#CodeOpen

The all-new brand cements {code}'s shift toward becoming the larger contributor it aspired to be, and pushes Dell Technologies' trajectory in this area. {code} is now involved in many large open source projects that transform the way users all over the globe manage their IT.

Ongoing work with the {code} team has led to new discoveries-helping shape a modern and dynamic brand as the tech brand displays their commitment to a shared vision of future IT management.

7000+

Community Members

100+

Open Source Projects Managed

10,000+

Social Reach