The Challenge
Salesforce brand underwent a brand evolution where every touchpoint was refreshed to work with a new design system. My final challenge at Salesforce was collaborating with the new Brand Strategy team and cross-company teams to roll-out the new design system for company-wide adoption.
The Solution
To support in creating webpages with specific creative assets and guidelines to direct employees, designers, and vendors on achieving the new look seamlessly across all touch-points.
Skills Applied:
- Collaboration
- Asset Production
- Typography
- Layout & Composition
- Web/UI
- AI tools
- Brand Consistency
- Brand Systems
The refresh of pages includes an external facing view for vendors, contractors, and visitors interested in a quick glimpse of some guidelines. This also brings approved vendors and contractors to the login page if they want to explore more.
I contributed in multiple guideline pages by creating the entire page layout, images, and collaborated across many teams to review and deliver the final content.
The Challenge
The existing logo and icon did not effectively represent the brand and required a comprehensive update to align with its evolving identity.
The Solution
With strong communication with the CMO, I brought in the torch element into the “T“ and paired it with organic fire bits that aligned to pieces from the website. The icon derives from just the “T” in the logo, too. The project was completed within a month with minimal revisions.
Skills Applied:
- Collaboration
- Asset Production
- Typography
- Graphic Design
- Layout & Composition
- Web & Print Production
- Color Theory
- Brand Consistency
- Brand Systems
For the typography, we selected the bold Lufga font, adjusting its edges and thickness to create a stronger, more approachable identity.
For the icon, we refreshed the design by incorporating the new "T" from the logo, with the sparks, and placing it within a rounded, more approachable square. This allowed the sparks to have ample space, ensuring the design felt balanced and not overcrowded.
The Challenge
A new product, Trailhead, was launching and needed a friendly, welcoming character to make it a fun experience to learn.
The Solution
Astro Nomical came to life for the kick-off of the product. They were included on swag items and marketing materials. From there the character took on a whole new life by becoming the brand mascot to Salesforce. They came in many other forms to support the audience of different industries.
Einstein, another character I designed came to life to support the Aritifical Intelligence movement within the technology industry, too.
Skills Applied:
- Illustration
- Collaboration
- Asset Management
- Graphic Design
- Storytelling
- Web & Print Production
Astro is non-binary, which reflects Salesforce’s values of diversity and inclusion. This inspired the creation of a whole universe of new Astro variations and characters, expanding the mascot family and strengthening the company’s connection with the community.
With characters, come poses.
Many internal and external-facing events were celebrated with the characters; Halloween was particularly popular.
This dolphin variation was reserved for internal company events to bring the fun and delight.
This version of Astro was inspired by the co-founder, Parker Harris’ lightning suit, which was created for the Lightning Now Tour in March 2017. These events held workshops to educate the community about Lightning adoption at that time.
Passionate about my culture, I contributed to annual Lunar New Year celebrations internally with character assets used for events globally.
He was originally created for a community badge and quickly joined the cast of characters at Dreamforce 2016 to support the Trailhead Academy initiatives. His evolution was a collaboration between teams and even developed plushies of him before his retirement in 2023.
Created the original Einstein and has been a part of his evolution over the years, before his retirement in 2026.
From 2019, our 2D characters have undergone a stunning evolution, embracing multiple styles: Paul Roger’s for events, line art for swag, and 3D for events and ceramics. I’ve had the privilege of being a part of developing, maintaining, standardizing, and creating each of these iconic styles, shaping the visual identity of the character brand at every turn. In 2026, Astro remains the main and only character still used in Salesforce’s marketing assets.
The Challenge
Create a brand and product that seamlessly brings the outdoors inside, catering to the growing trend of people spending more time indoors, often in front of computers.
The Solution
By incorporating elements of delight, gamification, and technology, we aim to make learning both engaging and enjoyable.
Skills Applied:
- Brand Systems & Identity
- Storytelling/Concepting
- Cross-Team Collaboration
- Layout & Composition
- Print & Web Production
- Asset Production & Management
- Program Management
- Team Management
Designed this original logo for Trailhead to infuse education with a sense of fun, capturing the spirit of outdoor adventure and bringing it indoors to inspire a dynamic learning experience. You can also see the easter egg of the letter “S” on the trail to tie back to Salesforce.
In close collaboration with the Trailhead Marketing and Content teams, I led the creation of every single badge, from conceptualizing technical topics to developing a robust system that ensured consistency and structure. With over 4,500 badges now in existence, I had the honor of directing a talented team to execute and elevate this program into the success it is today. These badges span a wide variety of styles, ranging from modules and projects to superbadges and community event or quest-based achievements, each designed to inspire and recognize learners at every stage of their journey.
This GIF was created for the email campaign above to reignite motivation and encourage members to become active on Trailhead once again. I designed both the illustration and the motion graphics during the early years of Trailhead, adding a dynamic and engaging touch to inspire action and re-engage the community.
I played a key role in designing digital assets to highlight new content releases, brainstorming creative and engaging ways to showcase the badges in a way that would capture attention and spark engagement to learn.
Over the years, we launched campaigns to engage both new and existing Trailblazers, encouraging them to learn more and earn more badges. I created and led the design for these campaigns, including playful April Fools, Halloween, and New Year events, as well as exclusive chances to win limited-edition badges and swag. These designs helped keep the learning experience exciting and fun for our community.
I illustrated the very first Trailhead character, now known as Astro for a t-shirt giveaway to promote the first set of content. They are now woven through Salesforce marketing.
This iconic Trailblazer hoodie, designed by yours truly, has become a highly sought-after item at Salesforce events over the years. It’s not only sold in our stores but also given as prizes, embodying more than just a logo—it represents a persona and a goal, empowering the wearer with a deeper sense of connection and achievement.
As the Trailhead brand evolved, so did my creative journey. I had the opportunity to art direct designers on refreshing the ranks system, where each milestone was marked by a unique level representing a Trailblazer’s progress. I envisioned these ranks as patches on the Trailblazer Hoodie, incorporating stitch detailing into the design. To emphasize achievement, I added textures that evolved with each rank, creating a visually engaging experience that celebrates personal growth and the community.
Building on the initial rank system, the project added more gamification elements with a more complex upleveling system. I managed and developed this system, ensuring a smooth and cohesive experience. To create consistency, I introduced stroke borders to link each rank, unifying the design and strengthening the structure so each level felt connected to the rest.
Skills Applied:
- Creative Concept Development
- Project & Timeline Management
- Vendor & Stakeholder Collaboration
- Experience Design
- Styling & Visual Presentation
- Problem-Solving
- Asset Production
- Layout & Composition
- Web & Print Production
- Brand Consistency
The first annual Salesforce Developer Conference began in the summer of 2015 and took place at The Village (expo) & The Warfield (concert). From designing and producing the print signage to swag and digital assets, it was a successful event.
In 2016, the event relocated to Moscone West, where, as a team of two, we developed the event's design system. This included designing all print and digital signage, from wayfinding and table toppers to digital assets and swag. Also collaborated closely with the strategic events team and George P. Johnson to enhance the attendee experience.
These photos offer a glimpse into the diverse range of event pieces I had the privilege of creating. From exterior to interior signage, merchandise displays, and plush/character development, to attendee pamphlets guiding participants through the two-day event – every detail was meticulously crafted to elevate the overall experience and ensure an unforgettable journey for our customers.
The unforgettable mascot creations (derived from my character illustrations) brought joy and excitement to attendees, along with immersive photo opportunities featuring props, backdrops, and custom frames that were printed directly onto photos – adding a customized touch to their event experience.
Skills Applied:
- Creative Concept Development
- Project & Timeline Management
- Vendor & Stakeholder Collaboration
- Experience Design
- Styling & Visual Presentation
- Problem-Solving
- Asset Production
- Layout & Composition
- Web & Print Production
- Brand Consistency
From October 13-16, 2014, Salesforce hosted its largest tech conference in San Francisco, transforming the second floor of Moscone West into the ultimate Admin and Developer Zone. As one of two designers, I created the identity and interactive experiences for the zone, which featured resources for all skill levels, from consultations to sessions and activities.
I designed a journey guide to help attendees navigate the space, collect stickers, and earn a limited edition hoodie. I also created the staff t-shirt, and a mobile display above the Admin Zone featuring Salesforce’s admin superheroes.
It was incredibly rewarding to see my designs, from the guide to the hoodie, displayed throughout the conference and engaging thousands of attendees.
September 15-18, the Trailhead was brought to life with an outdoor-themed second floor. As one of two designers, I was responsible for creating all print, web, promotional items, staff shirts, and selecting the decorations that made the space truly unforgettable. The focus was on showcasing an exciting new way to learn Salesforce through Trailhead.
One of my proudest achievements was redesigning the mascot, Astro. I transformed Astro from an astronaut costume to a fun, Trailhead-themed outfit to match the outdoor theme. The Astro plush, a labor of love created in collaboration with vendors, debuted as a giveaway and was an enormous hit with attendees.
This conference was a standout year for Astro and I. As part of a small team of three, I handled everything from illustration and graphic design to production and participation on the Trailhead floor. The Trailhead theme was adopted across campus, and seeing Astro everywhere—from bus ads to wraps and buildings—was an unforgettable achievement. Building on Astro’s success, we introduced a roaming mascot and even brought Einstein (my other character design) to life, too. Astro even supported the RED Foundation as a fundraising item.
Dreamforce 2017 was another incredible year for Astro and I. Lead a team of five designers, where I spearheaded illustration, graphic design, production, and hands-on participation on the Trailhead floor. The Trailhead theme was seamlessly integrated throughout the campus, and seeing my artwork displayed across San Francisco and Dreamforce was both surreal and deeply rewarding—reminding me why I love what I do. The event design and swag featured Trailhead characters with a National Park-inspired theme, and even Astro received an exciting update, further elevating the experience.
2018 offered yet another uniquely memorable experience. Alongside my usual role as creative lead for the event experience, managing both internal and external collaboration, I had the privilege of speaking at Dreamforce. I led several sessions focused on the characters and how their storytelling played a key role in their success.
Trailhead at Dreamforce continues to evolve each year, with an enhanced focus on giveaways and prizes earned both onsite and offsite. This initiative strengthened the mission to attract new learners to the ecosystem while supporting those already engaged. In addition to my role as creative lead for the event experience, I contributed to the development of new plush items in collaboration with external vendors, designed swag and packaging, and helped transform the space for giveaways. I also had the privilege of speaking at the conference once again, sharing insights and engaging with the community.
Due to the impact of COVID-19, Dreamforce 2020 was held virtually, where I created visual and web assets to deliver an engaging digital experience for attendees. In 2021, Salesforce returned with a smaller, in-person conference as they gradually adapted to the evolving circumstances. During this event, I designed signage that highlighted the success of Trailblazers within the ecosystem, created visuals for various experiences, and contributed to the campus design by developing the staff uniform.
This year, Dreamforce returned in full swing. I led the creative direction for the space, overseeing everything from signage to photo opportunity experiences. I also facilitated sketch sessions, presented a session on the evolution of the characters, and successfully brought the full experience back for attendees to enjoy once again.
This year, I continued my role as creative lead on the Trailhead floor at Dreamforce. I was responsible for the design system from signage to staff t-shirts to giveaways, on-site decoration, and incorporating mobile elements to bring the magic of AI to life. Collaborating with the events strategic team and external manufacturers, we created new event pieces that enhanced the overall experience. Notable additions included sparkling magic dust across the floor and light-up signage, which elevated the visual impact and added a touch of enchantment to the space.
The annual Lunar New Year Parade in San Francisco's Chinatown featuring a Salesforce Since 2019, I’ve had the privilege of creating Lunar New Year-themed assets with the characters, designing the look and feel for our internal company celebrations, and, of course, contributing to the design of the float.
Skills applied:
- Brainstorming
- Collaboration
- Concepting
- Vender Relationship Management
- Illustration
- Sketching
- Layout
- Digital & Print Assets
- Promotional Items Design
Photographs by Kevin Kitsuda. Graphics created when working at Salesforce. All rights reserved.
A big thank you to Asiapacforce, Salesforce's Employee Resource Group (ERG), for inviting me to walk in the parade with my creations: mascots and parade float.
Since 2018, I've been key in overseeing the design of the Salesforce parade float. Starting in 2019, I took on the role of designing it, working closely with the vendor to bring it to life. This was also the year that the parade float I designed for the Year of the Pig was awarded San Francisco Chambers of Commerce Presidential Award for best float.
Designed a special edition of Astro in an Asiapacforce t-shirt with a lion head for Lunar New Year. This asset is used every year in digital, print, and promotional materials.
I’ve designed various promotional items, including Astro plush toys with zodiac-themed t-shirts and red envelopes. I worked closely with vendors to ensure these items matched the company’s branding and vision.
Skills applied:
- Brainstorming
- Collaboration
- Illustrator
- Asset Production
- Color Theory
- Conceptualizing
Created a logo for a professional bookkeeping and accounting company in the winter of 2016.
While working for Salesforce, I created this logo for Apache Phoenix, a developer group within Salesforce.
Being a contractor for Live Sushi Bar and Live Sushi Bistro, I created a new logo for the owner who reopened Breakfast at Tiffany's in San Francisco.
As Boutique Envy's executive graphic designer, I went through a few revisions before finalizing to this modernized logo for the clothing brand.
Accolade Consulting in San Jose, reached out to me to create their logo and flyers. This was created right out of college in 2013.
I had the opportunity to create menus with many different restaurant branding.
Skills applied:
- Collaboration
- Asset Production
- Typography
- Graphic Design
- Layout & Composition
- Web & Print Production
- Color Theory
- Brand Consistency
All rights reserved.