Notes

We had a chance to do a little "speed mentoring" with Break Through Tech and our friends at Boss Beauties to the next generation of young women coders. It was inspiring to meet some emerging talent, and hear challenge and success stories from leaders from Serena Ventures, NASCAR and more. This is an essential mission to get behind.

Watch the recap from the floor of the New York Stock exchange, and listen for a hint about an exciting upcoming launch!

A new piece in FastCo is making the rounds and asking the question of questions — is the “Design” out of step with business? Or is this cohort of C-level design leadership entering their OK Boomer phase? 

Building off their November coverage of IDEO layoffs, which declared the end of the era of design thinking (killer headlines guys, but must we hyperbolize?), this sentiment represents a growing awareness of a recasting of the role of design within corporations ranging in sector, from IBM to J&J.

We’re debating. Is this indeed an identity crisis or a correction, or a needed shake up to revitalize our beloved field? 

One thing is irrefutable - generational change is afoot and design is a battle-tested instrument to navigate change. Regardless of titles, or where the headshots sit on an org chart. 

Here’s a little PMA to balance out the gloom.

10 years of anything is a feat to be revered. Our turn around the universe is a quick one.

Siberia was founded in 2013 by Darrell Whitelaw and Phil Gilman as an iterative, prototype-forward studio to help brands invent and build new digital products and services. From day one it has been an absolute magnet for an uncanny hybrid of analytical, creative and technical minded problem solvers. Both on the client and talent side, people come here to do challenging work and push boundaries.

Under the banner of Siberia we’ve had a meaningful impact on everything from sneaker culture, to reforestation, to the modern newsroom. We’d like to think that we’ve done it humbly, with a gritty work ethic and a pinch of sass.

We’ve seen epic wins and devastating losses. We’ve made lifelong friends and lasting business contacts. Sometimes it was clean AF, and sometimes it got messy.

The world has changed a lot since 2013, and so has our studio. We’ve had changes in ownership, opened and closed physical spaces, and experimented with operating and talent models. 

In June 2023, after a brief stint of Siberia Goes to Hollywood, we agreed to a spin out with United Talent Agency, who remains a minority partner. This means Siberia is once again majority employee owned and operated. 

The cast has evolved but the script is the same. We’re here to set North Stars, arm wrestle emerging technologies, and create mission critical digital products, services and experiences. 

If you’ve worked with us as a client or on one of our teams, we think you’ll feel at home taking another tour. 

2023 has been a trip. Let’s get after it.