Goodbye Thinkhouse!

For the last (almost) 4 years I have worked with the amazing team at Thinkhouse Design. When I began working at Thinkhouse, I was young, nervous, and felt like a design imposter. I had no idea what I was doing, but I was eager to please!

Gordon took a chance on me, and together we worked in the Brew basement on everything from conference materials, to non-profit identities and websites to name a few. There were days of Radio Paradise, thinking, sketching, brainstorming, coding, inventing, wonderful distractions, and wonderful visitors- who to this day still hold a special place in my heart.

At Thinkhouse I learned how to question, think, and strategize. The most important lesson I learned was that design, no matter how big or how small, must always have a strong concept. It’s not enough to make something look pretty; there must be method behind the madness.

I was unbelievably lucky to have someone like Gordon to be my mentor. Lucky to have a woman like Laura Brew in my life; someone who I could share not only my professional life with, but my personal life as well. The Brew’s became my second family; showing encouragement and support every step of the way. They pushed me creatively and personally. They made me realize the importance of the relationships you build, and the company you keep.

Thinkhouse began to grow faster than we could keep up with. In September 2007 we hired the lovely Berdene to join our team as our lead print designer, which allowed me to concentrate mostly on web-based projects.

The four of us have been working together, day in day out, over the last few years, working with many non-profits and other great cause-based work, which was what initially drew me to Thinkhouse in the first place.

These are the people that have changed my life, and supported me when I made one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever made: to leave my post at Thinkhouse, and pursue full-time freelance. I could not have had a more supportive and encouraging network of people in my life. Thank you to all of you from the bottom of my heart. I adore each of you, and truly wish you the very best. I know this isn’t really “the end,” but I wanted to make sure that you all know how much I appreciate everything you have done for me.

Best wishes,
and please come visit me anytime!
xoxo

Marie