MICROSOFT · GOLD STANDARD ACCELERATORS · SCALE AI SOLUTIONING
Overview
A template can standardize structure, but it cannot govern every interpretation. As GSA use expanded, the portfolio needed shared visual principles, application rules, and production tools that could preserve consistency across different AI solutions, creators, audiences, and customer conversations.
The work evolved from a reusable field-enablement template into an interim GSA visual system, then into the broader SAS brand and presentation system.
After the SAS guidelines and reusable PowerPoint template were completed, I applied the system across seven Solution Accelerator decks totaling 151 slides. The completed portfolio was distributed through Seismic to support field discovery and reuse.
Role
I created the initial GSA presentation template and later led the visual-system work across the broader branding initiative.
My contribution included independent design research, visual direction, identity development, typography, color, key art, brand guidelines, presentation architecture, and reusable layouts.
During the SAS phase, I continued to lead visual direction, presentation architecture, guideline design, and template production in partnership with Principal Designer Noah Pashley, who primarily developed the voice and contributed ongoing critique.
After the SAS system and template were completed, I applied the system across seven field-ready Solution Accelerator decks totaling 151 slides.
Audience
Microsoft sellers, account teams, technical field roles, solution owners, and creators responsible for introducing, adapting, and delivering AI solution accelerator stories in internal and customer-facing conversations.
Scope
An initial GSA field-enablement template, an interim GSA visual identity and guideline, a broader SAS brand guideline and reusable PowerPoint template, seven directly designed Solution Accelerator decks totaling 151 slides, and Seismic distribution.
Tools / Methods
01 / THE FIRST SYSTEM
A shared foundation for field-ready solution stories
Gold Standard Accelerators needed a repeatable way to package distinct AI solutions for sellers and technical teams.
I created the first GSA PowerPoint template, defining a common content architecture and reusable layouts for audience guidance, business value, personas, scenarios, technical architecture, repository access, and product demonstrations.
02 / THE LIMITS OF REUSE
Templates enable reuse. Brand systems guide interpretation.
As the template was reused across more solutions and creators, its layouts and visual elements were increasingly modified and reinterpreted.
At the same time, GSA assets were becoming more visible and important. Design leadership recognized that the portfolio needed shared visual rules that could preserve consistency without making every solution look identical.
03 / FORMALIZING THE BRAND
Distinctive enough to be recognizable. Governed enough to remain unmistakably Microsoft.
With the mandate established, I independently benchmarked Microsoft Copilot, Healthcare, Power Platform, Kumo, and Visual Studio to understand how Microsoft systems balance distinctive expression, enterprise credibility, and shared governance.
The research was translated into three operating requirements and five GSA brand positions: Speed, Scale, Premium, Momentum, and Modular. These became practical criteria for hierarchy, consistency, craft, progression, and reusable production.
04 / THE INTERIM GSA SYSTEM
Turning research into an interim GSA visual foundation
Typography, color, imagery, iconography, and key art were coordinated into an internal system before GSA evolved into SAS.
I translated the research into an interim GSA expression system built on Microsoft-native foundations, including typography, color roles, photography, iconography, key art, and presentation guidance.
The guideline and asset package were distributed internally, with practical use concentrated within the design team. A limited number of early applications were created, but this phase was not tracked as a formal rollout. The system later became the starting point for the GSA-to-SAS evolution.
05 / FROM GSA TO SAS
Evolving an accelerator identity into a broader SAS system
The interim GSA foundation became a broader visual and verbal system designed to support an organization, not only an accelerator portfolio.
As GSA evolved into Scale AI Solutioning, the system needed to support a broader organizational identity, more communication contexts, and audiences ranging from business leaders to technical sellers.
I partnered with Principal Designer Noah Pashley to complete the SAS working brand system. I led visual direction, presentation architecture, guideline design, and template production, while Noah primarily developed the voice and contributed critique and strategic feedback.
06 / FIELD APPLICATION
One shared system turned seven distinct AI solutions into a consistent field portfolio without flattening their differences.
After the SAS guidelines and PowerPoint template were completed, I applied the system across seven field-ready Solution Accelerator decks totaling 151 slides.
Working with solution owners and technical stakeholders, I translated each solution into a field-ready story using a shared presentation architecture. Across the portfolio, the decks covered business value, customer challenges, personas and scenarios, user journeys, technical architecture, repository access, and product demonstrations.
The completed decks were distributed through Seismic for seller, account-team, and technical-field discovery and reuse.
Evidence Boundary
What this case study demonstrates
and where the evidence ends
I directly designed the initial GSA template and the interim GSA visual system.
During the SAS phase, I led the visual system, presentation architecture, guideline design, and production in partnership with Principal Designer Noah Pashley, who primarily developed the voice.
After the SAS system and template were completed, I directly designed seven field-ready Solution Accelerator decks totaling 151 slides.
Solution owners and technical stakeholders supplied or validated the underlying product and technical content.
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTE
This case study uses reconstructed, redacted, or placeholder content to protect confidential information. Product messaging, internal links, customer details, technical specifications, source-code information, and unreleased solution content have been removed, obscured, or replaced.
