Kubefirst

Kubefirst 3D brand illustration — space environment with jellyfish and aurora

About the client

Full-service SaaS design for a Kubernetes GitOps platform

Polybox Studio has been Kubefirst's SaaS design partner for over a year — delivering a full rebrand, website design, product UI/UX, design system, and marketing design.

Kubefirst in the Kubeshop product ecosystem — connected sub-brand icons

Problem Statement

Three vertical panels with Kubefirst branding describing Instant GitOps Platforms features including instantly cloud native, automated infrastructure workflows, and quick & secure Kubernetes adoption, each with abstract shape or flower and night sky illustrations.

Kubefirst needed a real branding makeover, not just a quick fix. It's a powerful tool that makes Kubernetes more accessible, but its branding was way behind its tech. It was stuck in a boring grayscale, which gave the impression of being outdated and intimidating. That's the opposite of what it's supposed to be – making complex tech easier to understand and use.

Kubefirst mascot character — three purple jellyfish expressions with tagline
Kubefirst 3D brand world — mascot in space with planet and crystal formations

Our role

Kubefirst needed to become a harmonious part of the Kubeshop family. This meant adopting the style and visual language of the master brand, both visually and vocally, to show they belonged and had the same technical DNA.

Most importantly, Kubefirst couldn't just blend in - it needed its own unique identity with a visual language that showed its value - high speed and efficiency in onboarding Kubernetes. It wasn't just about looking different - it was about feeling faster and smoother.

— Polybox marketing research

Kubefirst marketing assets — branded stickers and social media graphics

Design Rationale

The client had a pretty clear vision of what they wanted - they wanted to capture the spirit of Inspector Gadget, without all the awkwardness. They wanted cleverness and a always-ready toolkit that solves problems quickly. Kubefirst was like a perfect multitool, and that idea became our major inspiration.

Elizaveta Vakhrameeva, brand designer at Polybox Studio

— Elizaveta Vakhrameeva

Brand designer

Kubefirst custom icon set — product interface icons in brand style

Logo anatomy

Kubefirst logo anatomy — K-Ray spotted eagle-ray symbol with wordmark

The Kubefirst logo is a combination of an aquatic creature (K-Ray) and the words "Kubefirst." The K-Ray is this spotted eagle-ray that serves as the main brand element. It's shaped like an arrow that moves through clouds, so it represents speed and how we navigate through complex systems.

On its back are seven stars, which aren't just for decoration. They're actually the Pleiades constellation, from Greek mythology, and they represent Atlas and Pleione. So the K-Ray's an eternal celestial navigator. Its arched shape and star map symbolize resilience and exploration.

Kubefirst website design — Kubernetes GitOps platform homepage

The Kubefirst Design System

Kubefirst design system — Figma components showing spacing, typography, and ratios

With Kubefirst, we've created a dynamic design system in Figma. It's a single source of truth that ensures consistency across all platforms.

Some of the main parts of system included:

  • The basics like color schemes, typography, and icons.
  • Interactive components like buttons, forms, and menus.
  • Pre-made templates and patterns for layouts and content.
  • Documentation with clear instructions on how to use assets.
Kubefirst 404 error page — 3D space illustration with aurora and mascot
  • Manager
    Valeria Kozlova
  • Technical Designer
    Elizaveta Vakhrameeva
    Aleksandra Kalinicheva
  • Web Designers
    Elizaveta Vakhrameeva
    Yana Kutlushina
    Svetlana Kalmykova
    Alina Sultanova
    Julia Molochaeva
    Denis Gurkov
  • Designer
    Elizaveta Vakhrameeva
  • 3D Designer
    Elizaveta Vakhrameeva