This year, Boulder Associates started a new tradition called “2nd Fridays” to promote innovative thinking, learning, and socializing.

“Every month we spend time together learning about creative people doing exciting new projects in our region,” explains Adam Taylor, one of our Environmental Graphic Designers in our Sacramento office.

Whether by taking field trips to visit local businesses or by inviting speakers to our offices, our goal is to draw inspiration from people outside of our industry to learn about their products, projects, and passions.

Our speakers have ranged from innovators, to business owners, to community leaders. In Boulder, Mike Memsic, owner and CEO of Sanitas Brewery, shared his incredible story of starting his business seven years ago.

In Orange County, Child Life Specialists from Children’s Hospital of Orange County humbled our staff by sharing their passion for helping patients and their families cope with the challenges of hospitalization.

“My favorite field trip so far was Benjamins, a shoemaker in a really awesome warehouse artist loft building,” says Adam. “I loved the layout of the event. We had a tour, an overview of shoemaking, and a behind-the-scenes look at what Benjamins’ experience has been. Then we spent an hour making our own shoes.”

2nd Fridays allow us to learn important lessons, expand our knowledge, and spend quality time together; ultimately, helping us become better designers.