A Defining Year: Reflections on Growth, Innovation, and Collaboration
As 2024 comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on an incredible year of growth, innovation, and collaboration at Sprout Studios. This year has been a defining chapter for Sprout, marked by milestones and momentum that have left me proud and inspired by what we have achieved as a team.
2024 has been a transformative year for Sprout.
Building on the operational improvements we focused on last year, we’ve hit our stride. The studio is more efficient than ever, profitability is up, and we’re tackling bigger, bolder projects.
Our team has grown, welcoming 9 new individuals who bring their unique perspectives and creative energy to the table. With over 40 people on the Sprout roster, I am continually inspired by the talent, passion, and camaraderie that define this team. Together, we’ve completed over 130 projects for 25 clients this year, spanning industrial design, visualization, graphic design, and UI/UX. I’m pleased to report that maintaining a healthy work-life balance continues to be a priority, with our team averaging just under 40 hours per week.
Our partnerships have deepened over the last year as well. We’ve had the privilege of working with a diverse range of new clients, from venture-backed startups to Fortune 500 companies. As we’ve evolved, our role has expanded beyond offering isolated services to becoming true extensions of our clients’ teams. This shift from providing isolated services to delivering comprehensive, innovation-driven solutions has been in the making for some time, positioning us as strategic partners. We are now more deeply integrated into our clients’ processes, helping them solve complex problems and drive large-scale impact.
Our team is the heart of everything we do.
This year brought the team back into the studio more. While remote flexibility remains a key part of our culture, there’s something special about the energy that comes from collaborating in person—sharing ideas, creating together, and battling it out on the foosball table (our newest studio addition and a fast favorite!).
We took time to celebrate, too. From cheering on the Red Sox to a night of bowling to our annual offsite in Maine, these moments of connection define our studio culture. We also had a blast partnering with Catapult to host the (First Ever) Designer Swap Meet, a huge success that we’re excited to repeat next year.
Connection and community defined 2024.
From coast to coast, we connected with the design world at events like CES (and co-hosted a party with KeyShot!), KBIS, IDC, ICFF & NYCxDesign, IDSA’s Women in Design Deep Dive, and the Private Label Show. Personally, attending the DMI Conference for the first time was a highlight. The insights and connections I learned there left a lasting impact, and I’m looking forward to deepening our involvement with DMI as it celebrates its 50th anniversary next year.
The Boston design scene is thriving once again, thanks in part to the revitalized IDSA Boston Chapter. Shout out to Sprout’s own Natalia Baltazar, former team member Daniela Garcia, and the entire Boston IDSA team for their leadership in bringing this community back to life. I am thrilled to see this momentum building and look forward to more collaboration in 2025!
A landmark year for Sprout Ventures.
Our unique model of investing in startups through equity and design services paid off in exciting ways this year. Two new Sprout Ventures—YARDHAUS and Tuudr—launched with tremendous success. Supporting these projects from concept to market is always deeply rewarding, and it was a thrill to see YARDHAUS recognized with a RedDot Award and featured as an IDEA Finalist.
By combining our expertise in industrial design, UI/UX, visualization, and brand development with a deep understanding of market dynamics, we help turn visionary ideas into thriving businesses. As we continue to expand our portfolio, we’re excited to collaborate with entrepreneurs and visionaries to shape the next generation of transformative ideas.
The evolving landscape of design continues to inspire us.
This year, we leaned deeper into new technologies like AI and VR, broadening our capabilities and exploring their potential to transform how we create. These advancements are reshaping not only our processes but also the design industry as a whole. At Sprout, we’ve approached this evolution with curiosity, creativity, and a commitment to leading the charge in this space.
We’ve partnered with clients to integrate these technologies into their organizations, enabling them to unlock new efficiencies, push creative boundaries, and solve problems in unprecedented ways. From streamlining workflows with AI-powered tools to using VR for immersive product visualization, we’ve worked collaboratively to demonstrate how technology can be a catalyst for innovation and success. As this space evolves, we’re committed to staying ahead of the curve and guiding our clients through this dynamic landscape.
Looking ahead, we’re eager to deepen our impact in fields that are shaping the future of humanity. From AI hardware and robotics to medtech and agetech, we see opportunities to address some of society’s most pressing challenges while driving meaningful innovation. These industries inspire us to push boundaries, think boldly, and create solutions that make a difference.
As we reflect on a year of progress, we’re mindful of the broader changes and challenges in our world. It’s a reminder to stay grounded, resilient, and open to collaboration as we continue shaping the future together.
Thank you for being part of our journey this year. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a bright start to 2025!
With warm regards,
Jordan Nollman
