Outdoor event with a large crowd of people gathered under trees. Banners display 'Connect 23' and 'Tour the ATX'. String lights are hung above, and the event appears lively with attendees mingling and talking.

Connect 2025

Connect is Q2’s client conference in Austin, Texas, hosting industry leaders and peers in the financial technology space.

At Connect ‘25, I led the keynote design to create the visual story for Q2’s C-suite presenters. Partnering with a cross-functional team and producers, we delivered a high-quality keynote program spanning multiple days. In addition to the stage experience, I also helped support event branding and wayfinding at the Fairmont hotel.

Credits

Creative Direction Sarah Handlos, Toni Houghton

Copy Direction Jack McBee, Bella Pietsch

Design Team Ramya Alihan, Sara Currie, Kate Donalson

Presentation Design
Brand Identity
Wayfinding

Keynote Design

Colorful digital illustration of modern cityscape with skyscrapers, featuring the word 'connect 25' in multicolored text on a black background, blending real architecture with abstract digital elements.
At a conference, a speaker on stage presents with slides displaying financial and company data. The audience watches attentively in a large, dark room with colorful lighting on the ceiling.
A collage of colorful presentation slides with text about trust, technology, end user benefits, innovation, experience, audience, fonts, and buttons on a black, blue, purple, and orange background.
A collection of colorful digital presentation slides featuring business and technology themes, including company names, logos, and statistics.
A woman standing on stage at a conference with a large screen displaying the event logo, audience members seated in front, with colorful lighting and decorative ceiling panels.
People attending a conference at an event with a large colorful sign displaying 'connect 25' and a screen presenting information about the event and speakers.

Branding

A table with a vase of white and yellow flowers, a pink drink with a straw and a decorative sign that reads 'The Afterparty @ P6 Hosted by Q2'.
Sign on floor directing to the networking and exchanging area with black and white sections, arrows, and text.

Connect 2023

At Connect ‘23, I developed the look and feel of this year’s brand. I created preliminary styles, patterns, and templates to assist other designers with conference collateral and wayfinding. In addition to the brand creation, I assisted Q2’s C-level leadership with their keynote design and visual story.

For a customer party at Banger’s—a German beer garden in Austin’s historic Rainey Street district—I designed the full set of branding assets, including custom illustrations for both the stage and the event t-shirt.

Credits

Creative Direction Sarah Handlos

Copy Direction Jack McBee

Additional Designers Ramya Alihan, Kate Donalson

Brand Identity
Presentation Design
Illustration

Branding

Black and white cityscape with skyscrapers and the text 'connect 23, Q2 Annual Client Conference' overlaid.
A color palette chart showing colors: orange, purple, blue, salmon, soft white, and charcoal with their hex codes, accompanied by a pattern design featuring dotted lines, wavy lines, and geometric shapes in pastel shades on a cream background.
Indoor view of a large window with an orange and purple gradient banner that says "WE'RE BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER". There are black tables and chairs in the room, with a cityscape visible through the window.
A man with a dog on stage at Connect 23 conference, with a large illuminated sign reading 'connect 23' behind him. The stage features a podium and a black backdrop with purple and blue accents.
A black rectangular object with a smaller image of a person riding a skateboard on the right side, on a patterned surface outdoors.
Photo of a large conference room filled with seated attendees listening to a speaker on stage. The stage has a screen displaying a presentation and colorful lighting.

Customer Party

A building with a brick exterior and a wooden balcony with a colorful banner that reads 'WELCOME TO Q2'S CUSTOMER APPRECIATION EVENT.' Below, another banner displays 'connect23' with the subtitle 'Q2 Annual Client Conference.' There are string lights, a tree with green leaves, and a clear blue sky in the background.
A colorful illustrated graphic promoting a trip to Austin, Texas, with cityscape silhouette, a sun, kites, guitar, cowboy boots, and text like 'Tour the ATX,' 'Jack Henry,' and phrases about exploring Austin.
A large colorful banner for the 'Tour of the ATX' cycling event is displayed on a building exterior, with a city skyline graphic, bats, and guitars, and texts including 'Jack Henry' and 'Q2 Staudium'. Overhead string lights and a ceiling fan are visible on the building's porch, with trees and a blue sky in the background.
A bar counter with multiple beer tap handles and a chalkboard menu overhead displaying various beer names and prices at a restaurant or brewery. The counter has a colorful logo with the text 'Cheers ATX from connect23'.
Hand-drawn illustration of a sign with the word "Austin" and various symbols, including a guitar, a star, a pizza, a cloud, and musical notes, surrounded by stars and text indicating sponsorship and date, 06.01.23.

I created a hand-drawn illustration inspired by Austin's local character, that was featured on the event t-shirt included in each attendee's welcome package.

White t-shirt with a colorful graphic design advertising the Austin Motel with landmarks and directions, including Downtown Zilker Park and Q2 Stadium, and the text "Tour the ATX."
An outdoor area of a restaurant or bar with colorful Adirondack chairs in green, pink, and white, surrounded by trees and plants. The building has a wooden exterior with string lights, a vertical sign reading 'BANGER'S', and a smaller sign indicating the place has a sausage house and beer garden. There are some barrels and a trash can in the area.
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