September 2018 - May 2020
Stardust, Student Satellite Team
Founder & Lead Designer
Building a cohesive brand identity for a pioneering student satellite team.
Project Overview
The Beginning
As a co-founder of Stardust, I managed technical subsystems while serving as the sole designer among founding members. This project marked my introduction to design, creating everything from posters to presentations for officials.
Brand Recognition
Building a student satellite required more than technical expertise—it demanded strong brand recognition. Our team participated in international conferences, competitions, and workshops, necessitating a cohesive digital brand presence.
Design Leadership
I established and led the design team, overseeing UI/UX, digital branding, and graphic design. My responsibilities included designing apparel, creating digital content, developing branding materials, and crafting presentations for competitions.
Tools Used
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Photoshop
- Figma
- Adobe Premiere Pro
Key Skills
The Challenge
As a student satellite team participating in international events and competitions, Stardust faced several design and branding challenges:
- 1Lack of Visual Identity: We needed a distinctive visual identity to stand out among other university teams
- 2Technical Communication: Complex satellite concepts needed to be communicated clearly to non-technical audiences
- 3Limited Resources: As a student team, we had budget constraints but needed professional-quality materials
- 4Team Cohesion: We needed to foster a sense of unity and pride among team members
Creating a Cohesive Visual Language
I developed a comprehensive brand identity system that included:
- •A distinctive logo that represented our mission and vision
- •A carefully selected color palette inspired by cosmic elements
- •Typography guidelines for consistent communication
- •Visual elements and patterns that could be applied across different media
Building Team Identity
I designed various team apparel and merchandise items:
- •T-shirts and hoodies that represented the team's spirit
- •Badges and ID cards for team members
- •Promotional merchandise for events and competitions
- •Custom stickers and patches for equipment and personal items
Establishing Online Presence
I created a comprehensive digital presence for Stardust:
- •Designed social media templates for consistent posting across platforms
- •Created digital posters and promotional materials for events
- •Developed a visual content strategy to showcase our technical achievements
- •Established guidelines for photography and video content
Compelling Visual Communication
I crafted presentation materials that effectively communicated our technical work:
- •Designed slide decks for competitions, conferences, and sponsor meetings
- •Created visual aids to explain complex technical concepts
- •Developed infographics to showcase project milestones and achievements
- •Established presentation templates that team members could easily use
Design Process
From research to execution, I created a cohesive visual identity for Stardust through collaborative ideation and standardized design guidelines.
Research & Inspiration
Analyzed space organizations' visual identities to establish industry standards while identifying unique opportunities for Stardust.
Iterative Design
Created multiple concepts with team feedback to refine our visual identity for maximum impact and cohesion.
Standardization
Developed comprehensive guidelines enabling team members to create on-brand materials independently.
Impact & Results
The comprehensive brand identity and design system I created for Stardust had a significant impact on the team's success:
- 1Enhanced Recognition: Stardust became one of the most recognizable student satellite teams at events and competitions
- 2Improved Recruitment: Our professional brand identity attracted talented students to join the team
- 3Sponsor Confidence: Professional presentations and materials helped secure funding and partnerships
- 4Team Cohesion: Branded apparel and materials fostered a sense of unity and pride among team members
Increase in social media engagement
Design awards received
Branded materials created
Team member satisfaction
"The brand identity and design work that Sushmith created for Stardust transformed our team's image and helped us stand out at international competitions. His ability to translate complex technical concepts into visually compelling materials was instrumental in our success."
Dr. Sujatha B
Faculty Advisor, Stardust Satellite Team
Lessons Learned
Technical to Visual Translation
I learned how to effectively translate complex technical concepts into accessible visual formats, making our work understandable to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Design Leadership
I discovered the importance of design leadership in technical teams and how to guide others with limited design experience to maintain brand consistency.
Brand as Technical Asset
I realized that a strong brand identity is not just a marketing tool but a valuable asset for technical teams, enhancing credibility and opening doors to opportunities.
Design Gallery
Conclusion
My journey with Stardust transformed both the team and my career path. What began as creating visuals for a technical team evolved into a passion for design that shaped my professional direction.
Through this experience, I discovered how visual communication elevates technical projects and that effective design solves problems while creating meaningful connections—helping us communicate better and achieve our goals.