From Innofest to AI Hack Day: Evolving How We Create Boldly and Always Be Learning
Written by Ellen Yang, Recruiting Manager at PicCollage
At PicCollage Company, we’ve always prided ourselves on fostering a culture of creativity and innovation, and for years, our annual Innofest has been the highlight of internal collaboration. It is a 3-day hackathon where our teams came together to experiment, build, and explore new ideas. But as we continue to evolve, we wanted to push the boundaries even further — faster and smarter.
Enter AI Hack Day.
We took the spirit of Innofest and condensed it into a single day, giving our teams the ability to build, innovate, and iterate more efficiently than ever before. AI became our catalyst, allowing everyone to work at a faster pace while still fostering creativity and cross-functional collaboration. It was a perfect reflection of our core values: “Always be learning” and “Create boldly.”
A Day to Explore, Create, and Experiment
We gave our teams a full day to dive into the world of AI, explore new technologies, and experiment without the usual pressure of deadlines or formal structures. The result? A fantastic showcase of curiosity, creativity, and teamwork, with 45 demos delivered by the end of the day.
Some were simple tools to improve efficiency, others were ambitious ideas with real potential. And many of them left us thinking, “Wait, can I try that?” Here are a few highlights:
- AI bot for triaging production alerts — helping our team focus on what really matters.
- A design accessibility tool that instantly checks Figma screens for accessibility issues.
- Idea-to-PR prototypes: Exploring how we could take a simple list of feature requests and turn them into actionable code in record time.
- User persona simulation to test product flows and anticipate real-world user challenges.
- Internal helpers to streamline everything from status updates to product roadmaps.
- Travel music player — because why not make your travels feel like a vinyl record, complete with photos and memories?
- Cattie Cash — an easy way to track shared expenses with friends.
- SpeedReel — an AI-powered video studio that goes from blank page to finished reel in minutes.
What really made the day special wasn’t just the ideas — it was the collaboration. Even though some of the projects were still works in progress, the way the teams shared openly and provided feedback in real time was incredible. It was a perfect example of how our culture encourages co-creation. This wasn’t just about coding or building; it was about learning from one another and growing as a team.
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The way I see it, as a recruiting manager, hiring is no longer just about matching keywords on a resume. It’s about finding people who are naturally curious.
When we host events like this, we are proving that PicCollage is a place where you don’t just “execute” tasks, you can influence how we work.
Retention isn’t just about salaries; it’s about growth. AI is often talked about as a way to replace work or people. We talk about it as a way to level up our own internal capabilities.
What this means for Talent and Growth?
- It shows we’re committed to growth When people are given the space to explore new ideas, experiment with different tools, and collaborate across teams, they feel empowered. Empowered employees are more engaged and invested in their work. By creating an environment that encourages risk-taking and creativity, we not only enhance our culture but also improve our ability to retain top talent. People want to stay at companies that invest in their growth and allow them to experiment with new technologies.
- It attracts the right kind of talent In a world where technology is evolving rapidly, people want to work at companies that value creativity and innovation. AI Hack Day sends a clear message: PicCollage isn’t just a place to work; it’s a place to grow. For the next generation of tech talent, this is the kind of environment they want to be part of. They want to work where they can push boundaries and experiment with cutting-edge tools. By showcasing our commitment to these things, we not only build a stronger internal culture but also attract candidates who are excited to be part of a forward-thinking company.
- It helps us stay competitive and productive AI is transforming how we work, and as a company, staying ahead of the curve is key to our long-term success. By making AI a core part of our workflow and innovation process, we enhance productivity, uncover new product possibilities, and streamline operations. For our members, this is an opportunity to level up their own skills and gain hands-on experience with AI technologies.
- It fosters a collaborative culture Hack days like this create a unique opportunity for cross-functional collaboration. It’s not just about engineers building in isolation; it’s about designers, product managers, marketers, and everyone in between coming together to explore new ideas. At PicCollage, we bring diverse perspectives to the table to create better solutions. This collaborative spirit makes us stronger, faster, and more agile.
Looking Ahead: A Future Built on Learning
AI Hack Day was a big success, and we’re already looking forward to the next one. But the bigger picture is that this mindset — of always learning, creating boldly, and embracing new technologies — is what keeps us moving forward. It’s what makes PicCollage Company a place where people grow, ideas thrive, and we build the future together.
If you’re someone who wants to work in a place that challenges you, empowers you to learn, and lets you experiment with new tools and technologies, then we’d love to talk. Come join us, and let’s create something amazing.
