Information
Markforged is a pioneer in industrial 3D printing, driving a new era of digital manufacturing with its platform of advanced materials and innovative additive systems. In 2020, at a critical inflection point for the business, we were brought in through IfThen to help guide the brand through a period of rapid scale. The company was expanding globally, preparing for IPO, and transitioning from ambitious startup to established industry leader—a transformation that required design clarity equal to its technical vision.
Working closely with Michael Papish, VP of Marketing at Markforged, and Stefán Kjartansson, SVP Creative at IfThen, we led a multi-year engagement that elevated the brand across every dimension. From visual identity expansion and packaging to website assets, campaigns, and the launch of Markforged’s most powerful printer, the FX20, our work established a system of communication that was as precise, adaptive, and high-performing as the technology itself.
Website Design
We supported the website redesign by developing new assets and planning for product launches and storytelling. Our contributions ensured the site balanced technical depth with brand elevation, positioning Markforged as an end-to-end solution provider. Product narratives, customer use cases, and application content were clarified and unified, while new visual elements and refined photography helped strengthen consistency across global markets.
Photography and Motion
We art directed a refreshed photographic system that captured both engineered strength and material elegance. Working closely with photographers, videographers, 3D artists, and VFX teams, we built a versatile library of visual assets designed to flex across every channel.
The output included still photography, cinematic video, and animated product demos—each tailored for specific contexts such as investor decks, YouTube, social media, product launches, and the website. This integrated approach allowed Markforged to communicate with consistency and impact, whether introducing a breakthrough product, explaining technical workflows, or building brand presence in global markets.
By blending atmospheric realism with technical precision, the system reinforced the physicality, performance, and confidence of the Markforged platform—across both static and dynamic storytelling.
Packaging
We redesigned the packaging system to bring order and consistency to a wide range of machines, accessories, and materials. Our modular framework introduced durable, scannable structures with color-coded labeling, making identification easier while reinforcing brand clarity. The packaging became an extension of the broader brand—integrated with launches, digital touchpoints, and campaigns to deliver a seamless physical–digital experience.
FX20 Product Launch
When Markforged introduced the FX20, its most powerful printer to date, we shaped the full launch identity. From messaging and visual language to cinematic film direction and day-of activations, the campaign matched the scale of the product’s ambition—positioning it as a category-defining release in industrial 3D printing.
Campaigns & IPO
We developed campaign moments that expanded reach and cemented recognition.
Boston Awareness Campaign
To build visibility and recruit top engineering talent, we created a Boston-focused campaign celebrating Markforged’s roots and relevance. Street-level placements paired with digital activations introduced the brand to audiences beyond the factory floor.
IPO Day
For Markforged’s historic IPO on the NYSE, we designed the celebratory brand system that wrapped Times Square and Wall Street in the Markforged identity. From the opening bell to internal communications, the IPO experience carried cohesion, energy, and presence—a defining milestone for the brand.
What We Did
Brand Strategy
Messaging & Voice
Creative Concepting
Visual Identity System
UX & Digital Design
Content Strategy
Copywriting
Photography
Video Production
Motion & Animation
CGI & VFX
Iconography
Industrial & Packaging Design
Environmental Design
Campaign Development
Social Media
Credits
Markforged
IfThen
Stefán Kjartansson
Kenny Ferguson
Christina Del Rocco
Jack Whitman
Julie Sharpe
Ricky Tse
Greg Parker
Mollie Santanello
Jason McKissic
Natalie Carstens
Collaborators
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