Code Kata is a workout for programmers, during which they get a number of tasks to keep them on track and amuse them in a good way. Those tasks aren't always practical, they're more like riddles to solve. Why do it, you might ask? Well, it keeps them fit and curious, teaches them to cherish mistakes, seek for unique solutions and share the knowledge with their peers through collaborations. 

To brand the workshops we needed a name, a logo and some merchandise to advertise the workshops among the coders. The name came up naturally – Code Kata. 'Code' is for code obviously. And 'kata' came from Japanese (型 or 形) meaning 'form'. It refers to a detailed choreographed pattern of martial arts movements made to be practised alone. You also can practice it within groups of people and in unison when training. In Japanese martial arts they use it as as a way to memorise and perfect the movements being executed. By the way 'code' word sounds a lot like 'cat' in Russian?

The logo was easy to think of and execute. Merely because of the playfulness of the name and a great deal of spectacular references. 

The presentation's layout is using the logo and the characters to brighten up the performance and help to explain or clarify the task. The workshops are numbered, so it's easy to find a reference if needed and keep an archive in order. The presentation is also easy to edit, it was very important to keep it user friendly and not to overcomplicate the editing process. Now the owner can easily adapt them on his own without need to go to a professional.  

To support the logo the character was developed and depicted in a range of different 'kata' postures. 

The last presentational frame almost came up as a happy accident. The png files with the characters were supposed to be stored in case the client will need to update and refresh the presentation. We liked the happy and energetic mess and decided to keep it as the final slide of a presentation to replace the common 'thank you for your attention' phrase. Kata is fun! 

Postcards were signed manually, paired with logo stickers and sent out to all of the present and future participants of the workshop by mail. ​​​​​​​