Patches
A digital recognition platform designed to spark connection, creativity, and culture at Genentech.
Role: Product Designer | Platform: Web | Duration: 6 weeks
The Problem
During the pandemic, engagement at Genentech dropped, and beloved traditions like “Gives Back Week” went virtual.
We asked:
How do you meaningfully recognize employees when everyone is working from home?
And how do you do it without adding more throwaway swag to the world?
What if we treated employee achievements like moments worth collecting? Inspired by NASA mission patches and digital community badges, I helped create Patches—a system that blends recognition with storytelling, play, and creativity. Patches not only reward employees for their outstanding contributions, but also celebrate the values they bring to work every day.
From Live Well Week to employee anniversaries, every design reflects the energy, values, and creativity of the people behind it.
Employees can browse all available patches on the homepage
Our team can award patches via backend forms
Patch recipients get an automatic notification letting them know they received a new patch
All earned patches are saved to the employee’s profile
To protect the quality of the patch ecosystem, all new patch submissions are reviewed and supported by our team.
How it Works
Patches homepage
Patch detail page
Employee profile
Email notification
Since Launch
200+ patches designed
Used across Genentech & Roche for wellness, volunteering, culture, and team celebrations
25,000+ employees recognized
Patches taught me how to bring warmth and intention to a corporate system—and showed me the power of design to make recognition feel personal again.
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Role: Product Designer
Tools: Figma, Adobe Illustrator, WordPress
Collaborators: Matthew Bensinger, Matthew Bucci