The Challenge: LEVEL-UP Octane
After more than 15 years as the backbone of Cardinal Financial’s lending operations, Octane® had proven itself as a powerful internal loan origination system.
However, as the organization evolved, so did the opportunity. The team set out to redefine Octane® as a standalone loan origination system and product within the broader mortgage industry — positioning the technology to attract independent loan originators seeking to streamline processes, reduce friction, and scale their businesses. The challenge was clear:
Transform a trusted internal tool into a compelling market-ready product
Modernize and elevate the brand to reflect innovation and scalability
Clearly communicate Octane’s evolved role in the loan process
Build a visual and design foundation that could grow with the platform
The Solution
We reimagined Octane’s role in the mortgage journey, designing it to evolve, empower, and remove much of the migraine from mortgage lending.
This transformation was driven by deep collaboration, strategic insight, and creative passion across cross-functional teams. The result was a comprehensive brand and product evolution that included:
Refined logo to reflect the new brand styling and forward momentum
Overhauled color palette with a more modern, confident, and scalable system
Modernized typography to enhance clarity and digital usability
Exploration of neomorphic graphics to serve as a clean, dimensional “base” for design
Development of Octane’s first front-end design system, creating consistency, scalability, and a unified product experience
Together, these efforts positioned Octane® as not just a tool, but a powerful, market-ready solution for today’s mortgage professionals.
The Results
A cohesive and modernized brand identity
A scalable design system supporting future growth
A visually differentiated product in the competitive loan origination space
Stronger positioning to attract external loan originators
My roles: Senior Designer (brand book); Art Direction (motion strategy)
Additional contributors: Executive Creative Director, Associate Creative Director, Senior Motion Designer