Synbio Branding

→ Event branding and instructional materials for 35,000+ participants in 40+ countries

🏆 Outcome: Yearly websites & branding 2013 - 2020



  • Client/Team: iGEM Foundation

  • Timeline: 2013 to 2020 (11 months per cycle)

  • Role: Visual Designer | Web design, Front-end, Communications

  • Tools: Illustrator, Adobe Suite, MediaWiki, Dreamweaver

📐 Design process

🚩 1.
Challenge

 🔧 2.
Tasks

🌎 3.
Impact

🌟 4.
Results

🚩 Challenge

From 2013 to 2020, I worked at the iGEM Foundation, home of the world’s largest synthetic biology competition. Each year, it brings together thousands of students, scientists, and academics across biology, biomedicine, and sustainability.

I joined as an intern and quickly took on larger responsibilities. In 2014, I led the creation of a new brand identity for the first Giant Jamboree, setting the foundation for a visual system that balanced consistency with event uniqueness.

I also updated the website and produced materials for participants and attendees. These efforts helped shape iGEM’s visual language and strengthened how the competition shared its mission with a growing global audience.

  • 💡Concept
    A global brand for the world’s largest synthetic biology competition
  • 🎯Goal
    Simple and consistent visual identity and communications
  • ⚠️ Considerations
    Large international audience with diverse backgrounds, Complex scientific topics often communicated in non-native languages
  • ✅ Solution
    A flexible branding system that made science more accessible to all

iGEM conferences 2015-2019

🔧 Tasks

As the sole designer at iGEM, I handled a wide range of tasks—from branding and communications to logistics. The fast pace helped me refine my skills and build adaptable design workflows.

My core focus was the event’s visual identity, including banners, conference books, participant bags, and collectible pins. I worked closely with the team to manage printing and delivery.

I also built and maintained yearly websites using MediaWiki, ensuring content was clear and accessible. I supported communications by drafting announcements and updates, and directly assisted Spanish-speaking teams in Latin America.

These early years laid the foundation for an evolving brand system, with each iteration improving on the last.

    👷🏽‍♀️ Key responsabilities:

  • 🎨 Event Brand
    iGEM’s visual identity
    Printed + digital media: banners, posters, conference books, bags, pins
  • 🌐 Websites
    Maintained yearly + main websites on MediaWiki
    Website announcements + communidations
  • 🤝 Community Engagement
    Supported teams, focus on Latin America
  • 🔄 Improvements
    Tracked insights to improve branding and develop personal skills

Selected screens from iGEM 2020

Over eight competition cycles, I designed materials for 35,000+ participants across 40+ countries. I directed yearly visual identities across print and digital media—including templates, brochures, icons, style guides, videos, and websites.

I collaborated with a multidisciplinary team to develop instructional materials for safety in synthetic biology, turning complex topics into clear, engaging visuals.

On the technical side, I supported coding projects, improved information hierarchy, and built responsive websites to enhance navigation and usability. I introduced multiple navigation modes to support different learning styles.

I created both an annual branding guide and a general brand manual to maintain a strong identity while keeping each year visually distinct. My aim was to deliver a cohesive experience that evolved over time—through color palettes, souvenirs, and digital interactions.

  • 🎨 Visual Identity Development
    Designed materials for 35,000+ participants across 40+ countries
    Led 8 unique yearly brands across print & digital
    Created an annual brand manual + general iGEM brand guide
  • 🖥 Web Enhancements
    Refined UI and visual style
    Designed custom icons and UI elements
    Built mobile-friendly layouts
    Structured information hierarchy
    Introduced multiple navigation methods
    Contributed to coding projects and site structure
  • 🔬 Science Communication
    Created instructional materials for safety in synthetic biology
    Collaborated with subject-matter experts to simplify scientific content

iGEM teams at the conference throught the years

🌎 Impact

I established a strong visual brand identity, transitioned our websites to be responsive, and improved the overall UI and resources for our teams.

The shift to a remote conference in 2020 introduced challenges with managing sessions across multiple time zones. This became an opportunity to combine design, UI, and coding to enhance the experience.

I developed an interactive JavaScript tool that let participants filter sessions by interest and view them in their local time zone. This streamlined navigation and improved clarity, helping users engage with content that mattered most.

Explore the schedule tool here. Scroll to bottom of the page

Beyond design, my role evolved into advocacy, outreach, and science communication, expanding iGEM’s presence in Latin America. As an ambassador, I supported regional teams by advising them on how to present their projects effectively while addressing local challenges.

Through public speaking, I honed my ability to make complex synthetic biology concepts accessible. A key achievement was helping students secure funding for their research by improving how they framed their projects and articulated their impact, which led to annual funding for iGEM teams in Costa Rica.

I also founded the Delegate Program, bringing students to UN meetings and engaging with stakeholders at over 10 international events to discuss synthetic biology, thereby fostering high-level policy dialogue.

All iGEM teams at the 2018 Giant Jamboree

🌟 Results



🏆 Outcome: Yearly websites & branding 2013 - 2020



My work at the iGEM Foundation was pivotal in shaping my career, allowing me to grow my skills; from web design and UI development to science communication and branding. I was fortunate to work with a close-knit team that supported me through all the learning curves, laying the foundation for my interest in the intersection of science, data, communication and design. This balance of creativity and pragmatism is something I look forward to continuing in meaningful work. Collaborating with students inspired me, and I feel both lucky and grateful to have contributed to the largest event in synthetic biology.

I developed the branding system for iGEM, shaping its visual identity, web design, and science communication over 8 competition cycles. My work helped make complex ideas clearer and more accessible for a global audience.

  • 🎖️ Achievements
  • 35,000+ participants across 40+ countries engaged through consistent design.
  • 8 yearly brands covering print and digital assets.
  • Annual brand manuals to balance consistency and flexibility.
  • Responsive websites with improved UI and information hierarchy.
  • 10+ international events representing iGEM and building stakeholder trust.
  • Talks and outreach to make synthetic biology more accessible and collaborative.

This work laid the foundation for iGEM’s long-term impact and supported a growing global community.

🔭 Closing statement:
Working at iGEM helped me develop lots of new skills to support my team and deliver complex information to a global audience.

Thank you for reading!

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