1. What did “Out of Office” mean to you by the end of the trip?
Inji: Finding creativity, joy and inspiration outside of work and the screen.
Elmira: Literally no work, just fully switching off!
Natasha: It helped to focus in that this is our time as a team to regroup and hangout so we’re refreshed and ready to take on the year together!
Sarah: It’s really easy to get pulled into the day-to-day ‘busy’ of general life and work. When you’re a creative, that part of you never really turns off. It’s important to step away from your desk and take in the world around you—the next idea (or inspiration!) really could just be around the corner.
Brent: A chance to reset, and be in-person, and in the moment with our team.
2. Was there a speaker, talk, quote or idea that stuck with you most?
Inji: Dalit Shalom’s talk stood out to me, the idea of being truly OOO and having an identity outside of work which can be hard as creatives when it often feels intertwined. The distinction between what we do vs who we are.
Elmira: “Everything we create should feel alive.”
Natasha: You need to spend time out in the world talking to people and challenging perspectives in order to come back and be a stronger designer and communicator.
Sarah: Christopher Doyle’s talk really resonated with me. He talked about AI and how he doesn’t want to hand over the creative process to it. He wants to experience and go through it himself—that’s the point.
Brent: Roman King’s “Away Game Advantage” was a very unique take on creativity inspired by getting outside your comfort zone, or these days, just out of the house.
3. Did anything challenge the way you think about design or creativity?
Inji: Got me thinking of all the AI discourse. Some are taking it on board and others are rejecting it for a more personal process.
Elmira: Not this time!
Natasha: Seeing all the amazing work from other designers always gets you thinking about how you can push the brands we work with so that they have a good family resemblance but feel fresh and new to their audiences.
Sarah: You can’t really replace the human experience and what that brings to a creative project.
Brent: Not really. But it did provide a window of time where I was reminded how great it is to be creative when it’s not forced, or surrounded by distraction and pressure.
4. What was your favourite non-conference moment from the trip?
Inji: Definitely all the delicious food and the lovely accommodations!
Elmira: Playing pool.
Natasha: Pool tournament and all the food 🙂
Sarah: The pool tournament(s)! We’re a mighty and determined bunch, we’re not very good, but we’re tried so hard. Oh, and also lat pull downs between turns hitting the balls! We used almost all the amenities in the house.
Brent: Our house. It was the perfect spot to hang out with the team, and we played a lot of pool.
5. Did Vancouver itself inspire you in any way?
Inji: I love the west coast, it’s a completely different vibe and just being surrounded by so much nature.
Elmira: Flowers and nature absolutely everywhere. The city just has this vibe that stays with you.
Natasha: It’s good to get out of your routine and to be exposed to new people and places and see whats trending across the country not just here in Ontario.
Sarah: I mean the views are simply spectacular. I’m pretty sure I used that word too much while we were there. You can’t do justice with a photo. And the nature and flowers…just the best.
Brent: It reminded me of the importance of finding time, taking a step back, and focusing on “big” ideas in a proactive way.
6. What’s one thing you noticed because you were away from your regular routine?
Inji: Chance to slow down and enjoy nature more.
Elmira: Way less doomscrolling!
Natasha: How revitalizing it is to spend most of your day outside.
Sarah: Just how well everyone gets along. We have such a fun team!
Brent: That so much more is possible if you can clear away all of the day-to-day distractions.
7. Was there a moment that felt especially “Fusion”?
Inji: Grocery shopping and snacks taken seriously.
Elmira: Fusion and food are always linked. Exploring restaurants felt very us.
Natasha: Laughing in the gondola together going up and down Grouse mountain.
Sarah: The emphasis on good food and good wine. Oh, and snacks (obviously).
Brent: Every. Single. Meal.
8. What idea, feeling or reminder did you bring back to the studio?
Inji: Taking time off is so helpful for a reset.
Elmira: This trip was a real reset and a fresh start for me. Sometimes staying away from work helps you have a great comeback!
Natasha: Laughing in the gondola together going up and down Grouse mountain.
Sarah: I want to make space to be ‘out of office’ more often. Let nature inspire me and weave that into the work I do, and how I interact with the people around me.
Brent: That I need to find a way to get our team together in person more often.
9. What’s one tiny detail from the trip you don’t want to forget?
Inji: The smell of pretty rose bushes.
Elmira: The view of Vancouver from the top of the hill.
Natasha: Not all patio tables are meant to lean on.
Sarah: The view from the top of Grouse mountain looking down on the city at night. Beautiful.
Brent: Feeling relaxed.
10. In one sentence, how would you describe the trip?
Inji: Inspiring days of connection, recharge and memorable moments with the team.
Elmira: FUNNN!
Natasha: An amazing step away from reality that felt refreshing exciting and brought so much joy and team building.
Sarah: 10/10. The best.
Brent: Worth it.
