(Spr)Out and About: Sprout Life Lately

2025 is off to an incredible start—our busiest start to the year in Sprout history! We’ve hit the ground running with exciting new projects, collaborations, and an expanded team. Stay tuned as we introduce our newest team members in the coming weeks!

With the fast pace, work-life balance is key—so we’ve made sure to sneak in some fun along the way.

February was packed with birthday celebrations for several Sprout team members: Adam Gray, Project Manager & Industrial Designer; Ryan O’Donnell, Creative Director; Matthew Bettencourt, Director of Industrial Design; Matt Guay, Visual Designer; Hannah Rowlett, Visual Designer; and Phoebe Lasater, Visual Designer.

To celebrate, we hit up Flatbread, a candlepin bowling alley with deep roots in Boston’s history. Opened in 1939 by the legendary Sacco’s Bowling family, the venue brought a perfect mix of friendly competition, nostalgia, and great pizza!

On February 20, we hosted virtual portfolio reviews that connected designers from three different countries and six states across the U.S. It was our biggest virtual event yet, with an incredible turnout! It was awesome gathering such a diverse group of talent, and we’re excited to keep fostering connections within the design community. We’ll be hosting Office Hours the 3rd Thursday of every month for the next couple of months. (Click here to sign up for March Office Hours, an in-studio event.)  

We ended the month with an inspiring (and very snowy!) trip to Burlington, Vermont. Our first stop was Stratton, where we picked up Jordan’s college roommate, longtime friend, and collaborator Jay Wilbur of Wilbur Watch Co. We had the chance to check out his latest collection of mind-bending timepieces before continuing north.

Next, we had the incredible opportunity to meet with Michael Jager, founder of Solidarity of Unbridled Labour and a visionary behind JDK (Jager Di Paola Kemp Design). Michael’s studio is a living archive of design culture—filled with incredible art, iconic prints, a café, co-working spaces, offices, and the collaborative spirit of Iskra Print Collective—all set against the breathtaking backdrop of Lake Champlain. We flipped through Echo, a book celebrating 25 years of sound, art, and ink on paper, featuring some of the most legendary gig posters imaginable. The energy and history within those walls were palpable. I would love to see a time-lapse capturing the evolution of that space over the years.

Many of the brands and products we know and love today—Burton, Xbox, and beyond—found their beginnings within these walls. The space has fostered some of the most influential design work of all time, and it’s humbling to think about the decades of creativity that have shaped it. As we toured the building, we had a meaningful conversation with Michael about the evolution of design and brand storytelling—one I only wish we had more time to continue.

Michael generously set us up with an unforgettable tour of The Burton Archive, where TK led us in exploring the full evolution of Burton’s legacy. Walking through decades of innovation in one space was both nostalgic and eye-opening, reminding us of the designs and products that first sparked our passion. Much of Burton’s most iconic work was shaped by Michael and JDK, and seeing it all in context was truly inspiring. We also got a behind-the-scenes look at Burton’s prototype shop, factory, and a warehouse spanning three floors, containing every Burton product ever made—an absolutely jaw-dropping experience.

This trip left us feeling energized, inspired, and even more excited about the future of design.

On March 5, we celebrated National Industrial Design Day with Boston IDSA with a happy hour at Bell in Hand. It was a fantastic night filled with great conversations, new connections, and a toast to the impact of industrial design in shaping the world around us.

Meanwhile, back at the studio, we’ve been making some exciting updates! Our space is getting a refresh—new layouts, improved collaborative workspaces, and an overall transformation that will better support our growing team. We can’t wait to share the final result!

With so much momentum, we’re excited to see what the rest of the year brings. Stay tuned for more updates on studio life, events, and the exciting work happening at Sprout!