Since the pandemic, when our spare rooms became our offices and daily conversations moved to Zoom, the way we work together at The Creative Pack has changed. While remote work has its benefits, there’s something about being together, sharing experiences, and connecting beyond our screens that simply can’t be replicated virtually.

That’s why we’ve made it a tradition to come together for an annual team retreat. What might seem counterintuitive, taking time away from work, has become one of the most valuable things we do as a team. We believe investing in our people, relationships, and creativity ultimately makes the work we create together stronger.

If you’ve been following us for a while, you might remember our first retreat to Ojai during the pandemic. After months of navigating a new way of working, we came together at the Caravan Outpost, where we each had our own trailer but spent our days gathering outdoors, sipping Josh’s non-alcoholic cocktails, experimenting with marbling in Heather’s workshop, and enjoying dinner at the then newly opened Dutchess.

That trip held a special place for all of us. After months apart, it reminded us just how valuable our relationships were beyond the work we created. What started as a much needed opportunity to reconnect has since become an annual tradition.

Between Zoom meetings, developing concepts, and rolling out artwork files, there isn’t always enough time to connect beyond the projects in front of us. Our retreats give us that opportunity. Time to reflect on how far we’ve come, discuss personal and professional goals, dream about what’s next for The Creative Pack, and simply enjoy each other’s company.

Whether exploring new places, sharing good meals, or laughing around the table, these experiences strengthen the relationships that make us more than just a group of people working together. We believe great creative work doesn’t happen in isolation. It comes from collaboration, trust, and different perspectives. Taking time to nurture those connections is part of what makes our work better.

Another important part of our retreats is exploring creativity outside of our everyday design work. As designers, we spend much of our time behind screens, so experimenting with a different medium gives us the opportunity to challenge ourselves, find fresh inspiration, and remember what it’s like to be a beginner again.

This year, we traded our computers for gemstones and metalworking tools at Gem Studio, where we learned the art of jewelry making. Each of us created a custom piece, from selecting gemstones to choosing the type of band, style of bezel, and other details that brought our designs to life.

There was something especially rewarding about working with our hands, but perhaps the most interesting part was seeing what everyone created. Although we all started with the same materials and instructions, no two pieces looked alike. Each reflected the personality, taste, and creative sensibility of the person who made it.

It was a reminder of something we value as a team, our individuality is what makes us stronger. Each of us brings a unique perspective, and those differences are what inspire new ideas and make our creative work more interesting.

By the end of the workshop, we each walked away with a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry to wear and cherish, a meaningful reminder of our trip together.

Our annual retreats are an opportunity to invest in what makes our team and our work stronger. They’re about making space for connection, curiosity, experimentation, and the joy of creating together. Because sometimes, the best thing we can do for our work is step away from our desks, try something new, and return with a fresh perspective.