As we prepare for our upcoming office move, we’re embracing the opportunity to start fresh in our new space. To make this transition special, we asked our team for input on which cherished items they would like to bring along. After thoughtful consideration, here are the meaningful objects that reflect our team's personalities and memories, each carrying a story that contributes to our collective culture.
We believe these items will not only personalize our new workspace but also help us carry forward our team's heart and soul. Together, we will build a vibrant and welcoming environment that reflects who we are and where we are headed.
Vince – Domo Figure
I bought it on impulse at a vending machine while traveling. It's my favorite because he's rocking "four eyes" like myself.
John – Travel Souvenirs
Each object connects to my travels. Some are recognizable iconic structures. Others are known only to me. All are reminders of the people I love who joined me in these places.
Jeremy – Clay
A quick study with clay to get an idea from mind to somewhere, whether that be digital or physical. Exercising imagination by working with form-making in space to play with scale and proportion. Something about the "old-school" drawing and modeling just does something different than what we mostly see in today's digital age.
Carl – Skull Mug and Mini Golf Clubs
The skull mug is the first coffee mug I bought myself when I started working here, and the mini golf clubs remind me of the Philippines, where I learned how to golf.
Mathilda – Norman Copenhagen Bowl
Maxine gave me this Normann Copenhagen black and white metal bowl years back after one of her travels and I've treasured it ever since. It's simple and elegant and will be one of the first items I unpack.
Sarah – Water bottle
My emotional support water bottle! As a lover of running and hot yoga, I go through 3 of these a day… at least. Hydrate or die!
Danny – Sketchbook
My leather sketchbook, a holiday gift from Consolidated Construction. They were a great partner in construction on Congregational Place in Chula Vista, which was my first time guiding a project through construction administration and a beautiful addition to the city where I have lived for most of my life.
Carlos – Sketch Tablet
My sketch pad goes everywhere with me at the office. From quick sketches to random thoughts and daily tasks, it’s where my ideas take shape and creativity begins.
Lauren – Ceramic pot
Little ceramic pot/jar my dad made in college that works great for holding my daily pens.
Alina - Fidget
I love this aesthetically pleasing fidget. My hands need a break from sketching or typing sometimes!
Marta - Notebooks
I take a lot of notes throughout my days, and I still have the ones from my first few years at SEA. They’re a treasure to me!
Marcelle - Beetlejuice Figurine
My favorite object is this Beetlejuice figurine that Francisco and I won last year for our E.T. Costume for Halloween.
Heather - Dog Bed
It made me feel like my dog was really welcome at the office, and I know he’ll love having something familiar in the new space
Marcela - Studio E Doily
I am taking my fillet crochet doily. I made a few tests to get the font size and proportions right, and it was the first doily I made after a 4-year hiatus. I adore fillet crochet because there's a lot of planning involved in the design, and the images slowly reveal themselves. It is an exercise in patience, math, and design.
Eric - Cherished Items
1. My rock collection. I have gathered this collection over many years from all over. I am drawn to objects that reveal their core and express the forces that smoothed them out. A metaphor for finding beauty in life, even when it can be difficult.
2. Andrew's Bear: made for me by my son in art class in Elementary School. This bear is both naive and artful beyond the years of its maker. And he is extending his arms like he wants to give you a hug.
3. A crochet doily: made with talent and care by Marcela. I love the craft of it. I also love that tying knots can make something as beautiful as this. Another metaphor for life.
4. Blueprint paperweight: Mathilda gave this to me probably because I came of age in the era of hand drawing and real blueprints. But I love the irony of delicate and light visually but heavy and purposeful in use.
Claire - Plant
I’m bringing my plant because I love plants.
Charity - Mouse and Post-its
Taking the essentials for a smooth transition.
Yasamin - Figurine
I am taking a gift from my favorite neighbor, Lauren!
Maxine - Mug
My blue mug is coming with me. It was a cast-off from the last office clean-up (apparently it belonged to Mathilda first). But I love it (and its special little crystal embedded in the handle), and it is the perfect tea mug size.
Joey - Pictures of Kids
It's one of my favorite pictures of my kids. Beyond that, it's a little daily reminder of what matters most to me. Whenever I'm having a challenging day or need a little perspective, I look at their faces and remember who I'm doing it all for.
Kirsten - Desk calendar
I love the design of this little analog desk calendar with its minimalist metal holder. In a time when most photos stay digital, it’s fun to look back on a years worth of memories in printed form.
