A Tendency for Tangents, Turned Studio Tool

An ever growing discovery engine to hold all the incredible creations we come across as a virtual studio.

A Tendency for Tangents, Turned Studio Tool

Projects
a small studio
By 
September 12, 2022

It’s random, it’s funky, and we keep it fresh.

Squirrel! It’s what happens when a conversation takes an unexpected detour, or a company-wide Zoom call turns into a debate about the latest fashion trends. We call it out, and try to get back on track or we embrace the squirrel and see where it takes us. What could easily be seen as a distraction, we like to see as inspiration. So we took a whole week to let our squirrel flag fly and the result was SQURL; an ever growing discovery engine to hold all the incredible things we come across as a virtual studio, for anyone to browse.

SQURL is the second installment of our studio initiated Just Because Week; an internal week where we pause all client work to focus on fueling our creativity as a team! It’s a chance for us to get together to use our gifts on something for the greater good, something we’ve never done before, or literally just because.

Following the chaos we narrowed down a concept and went into 5th gear. Who wants to do what? Grab grab grab. Why did no one pick marketing? Delegate delegate delegate. Since squirrelling is our way of getting distracted, our exploration led us down all kinds of rabbit holes; from libraries to bingo balls to rolodexes to Tamagotchis! We landed on a concept of “in the clouds”. A wonderful place to be when looking for ideas, day dreaming and simply getting lost in the best way.

There’s two types of inspo pulls; one where you know what you’re looking for and one where you don’t. We were really captured by the power randomness can have over someone looking for inspiration and the fact that it enables them to find something that would never have entered their mind otherwise.

We wanted the experience to be as simple as possible, encouraging the user to click through the never-ending content, while allowing them to easily explore all the sources. After all, SQURL is all about sharing, promoting and spreading the word about incredible creatives so they can continue inspiring more people - pay it forward!

The layout was designed to highlight the content, with an image taking up the majority of the screen along with a brief description. We used the font Hornbill by Eko Bimantara because of it’s friendly and nostalgic feel, inspired by 1970’s typography. The oversized “SPIN!” button is a reference to slot machines and the excitement of never knowing what you’ll land on. But in this case, you always win! Of course we added a nod to the website’s namesake with a little animated acorn hanging out above the description.

SQURL has since received an honourable mentioned from Awwwards and has been featured on Admire The Web - but it’s far from over! We’ll be forever adding to it; keeping it spicy, funky and fresh.

”This is amazing! Thanks so much for including us and thinking about our work. This tool is super fun to use and I even discovered some new studios just in the few minutes I spent playing around. Thanks again and hats off to this!”

Chris Roan

Head of Strategic Initiatives at COLLINS

my-creative-marathon

My Creative Marathon

5 Marathon Training Lessons That Apply to Your Craft

Read the Article
my-creative-marathon

My Creative Marathon

5 Marathon Training Lessons That Apply to Your Craft

vulnerable-brilliance

Vulnerable Brilliance

Cultivating creativity and innovation for the long-term

Read the Article
vulnerable-brilliance

Vulnerable Brilliance

Cultivating creativity and innovation for the long-term

think-mobile

Think Mobile

Designing for the ultimate mobile experience? essential tips to keep in mind.

Read the Article
think-mobile

Think Mobile

Designing for the ultimate mobile experience? essential tips to keep in mind.

design-for-good

Design For Good

Design goes beyond looking good or being trendy...

Read the Article
design-for-good

Design For Good

Design goes beyond looking good or being trendy...

just-my-type

Just My Type

How typography helps you pass the vibe check

Read the Article
just-my-type

Just My Type

How typography helps you pass the vibe check

the-value-of-celebrating

The Value of Celebrating

Let’s do some high-fiving once in a while!

Read the Article
the-value-of-celebrating

The Value of Celebrating

Let’s do some high-fiving once in a while!

jbw2023

wunderbread

One week, one brilliant build to help you pass the daily vibe check.

Read the Article
jbw2023

wunderbread

One week, one brilliant build to help you pass the daily vibe check.

das-recap

Designers Are Scary! Recap

We hosted the first event in a free series designed to even the odds.

Read the Article
das-recap

Designers Are Scary! Recap

We hosted the first event in a free series designed to even the odds.

2023-internship

Hiring Summer Interns!

Want to spend your summer with a small studio?

Read the Article
2023-internship

Hiring Summer Interns!

Want to spend your summer with a small studio?

serendipity

Serendipity!

Most celebrated discoveries are happy accidents.

Read the Article
serendipity

Serendipity!

Most celebrated discoveries are happy accidents.

creativity-is-remixing

Creativity is Remixing

Every design is a remix of the past, present, and future.

Read the Article
creativity-is-remixing

Creativity is Remixing

Every design is a remix of the past, present, and future.

chokehold-of-9-5

The Chokehold of the 9-5

It's enough to drive you crazy if you let it!

Read the Article
chokehold-of-9-5

The Chokehold of the 9-5

It's enough to drive you crazy if you let it!

4-lessons-designers-can-learn-from-drag-queens

4 Lessons Designers Can Learn from Drag Queens

Let the music play!

Read the Article
4-lessons-designers-can-learn-from-drag-queens

4 Lessons Designers Can Learn from Drag Queens

Let the music play!

we-are-hiring

We're Hiring!

Hello, is it you we’re looking for?

Read the Article
we-are-hiring

We're Hiring!

Hello, is it you we’re looking for?

side-affects

Which Side Affects You?

An entry point for expanding our understanding of the Roe v. Wade overturn and its impact on fundamental human rights.

Read the Article
side-affects

Which Side Affects You?

An entry point for expanding our understanding of the Roe v. Wade overturn and its impact on fundamental human rights.

pet-department

Meet The Pet Department

Meet the four-legged members of the Pet Department!

Read the Article
pet-department

Meet The Pet Department

Meet the four-legged members of the Pet Department!

squrl

A Tendency for Tangents, Turned Studio Tool

An ever growing discovery engine to hold all the incredible creations we come across as a virtual studio.

Read the Article
squrl

A Tendency for Tangents, Turned Studio Tool

An ever growing discovery engine to hold all the incredible creations we come across as a virtual studio.

studio-office-hours

Studio Office Hours

Taking a look at our daily collaboration sessions

Read the Article
studio-office-hours

Studio Office Hours

Taking a look at our daily collaboration sessions

studio-retreat-2022-bring-peace

Studio Retreat 2022Bring Peace

a small studio’s first retreat! Together we reflected on what it means to bring peace.

Read the Article
studio-retreat-2022-bring-peace

Studio Retreat 2022Bring Peace

a small studio’s first retreat! Together we reflected on what it means to bring peace.

what-goes-into-building-a-design-studio

What Goes Into Building A Design Studio?

What are the key building blocks of a small studio?

Read the Article
what-goes-into-building-a-design-studio

What Goes Into Building A Design Studio?

What are the key building blocks of a small studio?

creatorplus

The Future of Storytelling

A first-of-its-kind movie experience that brings you closer to the creators than ever before.

Read the Article
creatorplus

The Future of Storytelling

A first-of-its-kind movie experience that brings you closer to the creators than ever before.

cyxtera

Taking Data Centers Digital

Making data centers more accessible and actionable for remote managers and digital natives.

Read the Article
cyxtera

Taking Data Centers Digital

Making data centers more accessible and actionable for remote managers and digital natives.

dose

Building DOSE in 5 Days

Amidst one of the largest political awakenings, we paused all normal business operations to build DOSE.

Read the Article
dose

Building DOSE in 5 Days

Amidst one of the largest political awakenings, we paused all normal business operations to build DOSE.

sparkthink

Putting the Spark Back in Consulting

An ecosystem of online tools designed to amplify the process of discovery.

Read the Article
sparkthink

Putting the Spark Back in Consulting

An ecosystem of online tools designed to amplify the process of discovery.

shearshare

Connecting the Beauty Industry

Connecting salon & barbershop owners with all beauty professionals.

Read the Article
shearshare

Connecting the Beauty Industry

Connecting salon & barbershop owners with all beauty professionals.

fizzbuzz

Turning Dreamers Into Doers

An online, after-school, technology program designed to catalyze your growth.

Read the Article
fizzbuzz

Turning Dreamers Into Doers

An online, after-school, technology program designed to catalyze your growth.

our-remote-office-guide

Our Remote Office

We’ve been operating as a Remote studio since 2020 and this is what we've found works.

Read the Article
our-remote-office-guide

Our Remote Office

We’ve been operating as a Remote studio since 2020 and this is what we've found works.

how-about-efficiency-being-about-something-other-than-revenue

A Switch That Flicked

The long story of a small realization.

Read the Article
how-about-efficiency-being-about-something-other-than-revenue

A Switch That Flicked

The long story of a small realization.

what-our-week-looks-like

What Our Weeks Look Like

Always adapting, and always a work in-progress.

Read the Article
what-our-week-looks-like

What Our Weeks Look Like

Always adapting, and always a work in-progress.

my-productivity-playlists

My “Productivity” Playlists

We all have different methods for tapping into our productivity.

Read the Article
my-productivity-playlists

My “Productivity” Playlists

We all have different methods for tapping into our productivity.

why-we-should-always-define-the-words-we-use

Why We Should Always Define the Words We Use

When I first came to a small studio, it felt like I was learning to speak a new language.

Read the Article
why-we-should-always-define-the-words-we-use

Why We Should Always Define the Words We Use

When I first came to a small studio, it felt like I was learning to speak a new language.

how-to-work-with-us

How To Work With Us

Never business as usual.

Read the Article
how-to-work-with-us

How To Work With Us

Never business as usual.

who-is-a-small-studio

Who is a small studio?

We’re a collection of creatives using our gifts to bring peace to people’s lives.

Read the Article
who-is-a-small-studio

Who is a small studio?

We’re a collection of creatives using our gifts to bring peace to people’s lives.

first-impressions

First Impressions

I first came across a small studio the night of December 25th, 2020.

Read the Article
first-impressions

First Impressions

I first came across a small studio the night of December 25th, 2020.

our-newest-sr-designer-jane

Our Newest Sr. Designer, Jane!

Promoting Jane!

Read the Article
our-newest-sr-designer-jane

Our Newest Sr. Designer, Jane!

Promoting Jane!

mari-tautimes

More Than Family Business

A reimagined brand focused on lifting women higher in life and business.

Read the Article
mari-tautimes

More Than Family Business

A reimagined brand focused on lifting women higher in life and business.

welcome-sarah

Welcome Sarah!

We Hired Sarah!

Read the Article
welcome-sarah

Welcome Sarah!

We Hired Sarah!

asu

A Bridge to Sustainable, Impactful Action

Building a digital experience for the passionate team behind sustainability solutions that have a global impact.

Read the Article
asu

A Bridge to Sustainable, Impactful Action

Building a digital experience for the passionate team behind sustainability solutions that have a global impact.

tayne-experiment

Leading By Experiment

The only influencer platform that leads by experiment with extra-ordinary experiences.

Read the Article
tayne-experiment

Leading By Experiment

The only influencer platform that leads by experiment with extra-ordinary experiences.

webflow-virtual-world-tour

Webflow Virtual World Tour

Following the launch of our project DOSE, John gave a talk at the Webflow World Virtual World Tour.

Read the Article
webflow-virtual-world-tour

Webflow Virtual World Tour

Following the launch of our project DOSE, John gave a talk at the Webflow World Virtual World Tour.

dose-showcased-by-webflow

DOSE Showcased by Webflow

Webflow shared the project with their audience of nearly 100,000 Twitter followers.

Read the Article
dose-showcased-by-webflow

DOSE Showcased by Webflow

Webflow shared the project with their audience of nearly 100,000 Twitter followers.

salt-athletic

When Fashion Meets Hygienic Innovation

Bringing fresh style and innovation to the soccer community, with love.

Read the Article
salt-athletic

When Fashion Meets Hygienic Innovation

Bringing fresh style and innovation to the soccer community, with love.

ypos

A Landing Pad for Young Professionals

An engaged community of young professionals deserves a vibrant flag to wave.

Read the Article
ypos

A Landing Pad for Young Professionals

An engaged community of young professionals deserves a vibrant flag to wave.

voyce-threads

Standing for What You Believe In

Start meaningful conversations by showing off what’s on your feet.

Read the Article
voyce-threads

Standing for What You Believe In

Start meaningful conversations by showing off what’s on your feet.

Let’s talk strategy.

Schedule a call with our Identity Architect and see if it makes sense to work together.