Current AI tools feel like intimidating robots, not helpful teammates.
Current AI tools feel like intimidating robots, not helpful teammates.
Backed by Sequoia Capital, Y Combinator, Columbia Capital, and Ox Ventures, Mesh.ai is a performance management platform designed to enhance organizational effectiveness through continuous feedback, goal alignment, and real-time coaching. Mesh.ai set out to introduce an AI-powered performance enablement guide to an audience wary of AI. The challenge was to reframe AI not as a replacement, but as a humanized, supportive companion that helps managers with everyday leadership tasks. To achieve this, we created
A Friendly Guide, Not an Authority Figure:
The mascot was designed to act not as a coach or superior—ensuring managers retain their sense of authority while still receiving meaningful support and insights.
Approachable Aesthetics
By choosing a warm, animal-inspired character over a sleek, futuristic robotic form, we softened the typical coldness of AI. This made the interface feel more inviting and less intimidating.
Scalable Avatars for Multiple Touchpoints
We developed a flexible avatar system that adapts across product experiences and communication channels for contextual support and nudges tailored to different use cases.
Mesh.ai set out to introduce an AI-powered performance enablement guide to an audience wary of AI. The challenge was to reframe AI not as a replacement, but as a humanized, supportive companion that helps managers with everyday leadership tasks. To achieve this, we created
A Friendly Guide, Not an Authority Figure:
The mascot was designed to ensure managers retain their sense of authority while still receiving meaningful support and insights.
Approachable Aesthetics
By choosing a warm, animal-inspired character over a sleek, futuristic robotic form, we softened the typical coldness of AI.
Scalable Avatars for Multiple Touchpoints
We developed a flexible avatar system that adapts across product experiences and communication channels for tailored to different use cases.
Objective
Design a friendly, guide-like character mascot one can trust rather than a traditional robotic interface.
Success Metric
When hesitant team leaders become daily power users and tell colleagues, "I can't imagine managing my team without this," we'll know we've cracked the code on making AI feel indispensable rather than intimidating.
Meet Maven
Maven is a medium-sized owl with cool blue feathers that reflect calm, clarity, and intelligence. Its dark eyes show focus and curiosity, while reading glasses on its beak add a touch of personality. At the center of its chest, the glowing Mesh symbol represents its built-in expertise in performance management—positioning Maven as a trusted, knowledgeable guide for modern teams.
Tone of Voice
Maven speaks in a soft, reassuring tone. It often begins its guidance with phrases like, "Have you considered...?", "Maybe try this approach...", or "What do you think about...?", making sure to always involve the user in the decision-making process.
Objective
Design a brand that doesn't look, feel, or communicate like a typical dental hospital. Every touchpoint— from visual identity to patient communications—should signal warmth, approachability, and modern care, rather than clinical coldness and a traditional medical hierarchy.
Success Metric
When anxious patients become our strongest advocates, we'll know we've solved the industry's trust problem. When people say "this doesn't feel like going to the dentist," we'll know we've transformed the category.
Meet Maven
Maven is a medium-sized owl with cool blue feathers that reflect calm, clarity, and intelligence. Its dark eyes show focus and curiosity, while reading glasses on its beak add a touch of personality. At the center of its chest, the glowing Mesh symbol represents its built-in expertise in performance management—positioning Maven as a trusted, knowledgeable guide for modern teams.
Tone of Voice
Maven speaks in a soft, reassuring tone. It often begins its guidance with phrases like, "Have you considered...?", "Maybe try this approach...", or "What do you think about...?", making sure to always involve the user in the decision-making process.
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