Gev Design’s shiny new look for TechTO calls to the past, but also sets its eyes on the future

A hub for connection, inspiration, and all things tech innovation, TechTO is proudly the “most connected tech community” in Canada, regularly hosting events in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. Their goal is to not only be a celebration of the industry but also a catalyst for collaboration and professional growth. What held it back, however, was its identity, which, according to Gev Design’s Design Director Nick Bujnak, didn’t reflect the energy, ambition, or professionalism of TechTO’s events. As experienced creators of brand identities for tech experts, Toronto-based creative studio Gev Design was invited to develop a more suitable and definitive new look and web experience for TechTO’s events. Starting with a clean slate, they rooted the strategy in three pillars –  inspiration, credibility, and engagement. “The brand needed to feel hopeful, trusted, and interactive – qualities that required an aesthetic beyond the typical, often dull, tech-brand tropes,” explains Founder Gev Marotz. The studio’s research led them to the early days of technology culture, when computers first entered workplaces and homes, sparking a wave of curiosity and excitement. They looked to magazines Compute, Byte, and Omni, whose surreal, sci-fi-inspired illustrations, soft gradients, futuristic landscapes, and aspirational feel aligned with their central concept.