HackFax × PatriotHacks — Valentine Hackathon was a collaborative event identity created for a Valentine-themed hackathon at George Mason University. The project focused on building a playful visual system that combined HackFax's fox mascot with PatriotHacks' tech-centered identity, creating a character-driven design that felt fun, friendly, and memorable for students attending the event. The identity was applied across event materials including the photo backdrop, apparel, role-based merchandise, and supporting brand assets. The goal was to create a system that felt energetic and approachable while still working clearly across physical and digital touchpoints.

The 2026 HackFax × PatriotHacks Valentine Hackathon brought in over 600 attendees, compared to around 340 attendees the year before — a roughly 76% increase in attendance. Although the event’s growth came from the full organizing team, the visual identity played a key role in shaping how the hackathon was experienced. The mascot-driven branding created a more recognizable and memorable event presence across the backdrop, apparel, merchandise, signage, and digital promotion, helping the hackathon feel like a complete branded experience rather than a single-day student event.