Why We Create: The Stories Behind Our Team's Projects
It’s been officially 365 days since we entered the pandemic and our team has been remote ever since. As the entire globe entered a time of uncertainty, Mixbook creators like you, began to express themselves creatively and escape through thousands of meaningful projects—including our own Mixbook employees.
As much as we miss collaborating together in our office and spending lunch discussing the latest popular Netflix series, seeing the projects that we’ve created at home on Mixbook.com made us feel more connected to each other, miles apart. We’ve all gone through a difficult time, but it’s within the moments that we made the most of, where hope and gratitude lie.
Why We Create: The Stories Behind Our Team's Projects
Let’s take an inspiring look at some of the amazing projects our employees worked on during the last year.
Click the projects below to jump to their section.
Ellie T. - Graphic Designer
“I made acrylic blocks with photos of some of my favorite places I've been, to put up in my office. When I'm working from home, it reminds me of traveling and exploring new places. I love being able to look at them throughout the day, and it was really fun going through my old pictures and pulling the ones from my favorite memories. I love how they turned out and the project has definitely inspired me to create more and to start planning more adventures for the future.”
Kat T. - Digital Marketing Specialist
“I've been creating photo albums every year to capture all my fun adventures and memories with Haru since she was a tiny pupper. Haru is my best friend and a constant ray of sunshine. Having photo books of our memories together reminds me of how important and special our bond is. These photo books and memories with Haru are everything to me.”
Brianna P. - Senior Email Marketing Manager
“Looking back on the last year, as hard as it was I am grateful that it taught me to appreciate the things that really matter. With not being able to see my family as often, it was important for me to connect with loved ones by sharing our favorite memories together.”
”One of the highlights of my day is when my sister sends me photos of my nephew. To celebrate her first Mother’s Day, I saved all the photos she sent to my phone and used them to create a first-year album. Creating the photo book and seeing my nephew's smile on every page brought me so much joy! Even though we weren’t physically together, it helped me feel much closer to them.”
”Puzzles became a new favorite hobby for my husband and me. I took a photo to commemorate each completed puzzle (over 40!), then added them to my yearly album and calendar. Looking back through the photos brings back great memories of quality time spent with my husband. I finally had time to create poster prints and decorate my empty walls with our engagement photos too.”
“I was able to creatively express myself while also rediscovering my passion for art, photography, and cherished memories.”
Leslie A. - Director of Marketing
“I use Mixbook to remember all the adventures with my daughter, Mila. It's so easy to forget moments from our day-to-day life, and family that lives out of state. She truly remembers more about her life and family when we can look at photos in print. I create annual storybooks that highlight trips, friends and family, and her firsts.”
“It's helped us to be grateful and to celebrate the everyday moments that make our life full. Creating books of our neighborhood adventures, fort building, dress up, and art projects are all great reminders that it's the little things that matter most.”
“These books mean we made the most of our time together. We made it through a pandemic and manage to find joy in the simple, everyday moments. It represents hope, resilience, and gratitude.”
Raffi A. - Content Manager
“With cabin fever setting in by October, I really wanted to celebrate my birthday safely during the pandemic. I chose to do a quick road trip to the desert, with nobody around except beautiful cacti. With 2020 being such an uncertain year I wanted to still be able to feel like myself and make special moments with my partner. “
”I didn't get to travel as much as I wanted to last year. Creating an album to cherish the small trips I was able to take made the year more bearable. It may have no been an international two-week escape, but I learned to adapt and be grateful for the little opportunities we still had. Reliving a weekend away through photos made the trip feel much longer and more special. “
”This Palm Springs photo book means we're all capable of adapting to a new normal. Even with lowered expectations for travel, we were still able to have so much fun two hours away from home. Getting a change of scenery did wonders for us during this difficult time. This photo book and trip showed me that going with the flow still can lead to special moments.”
Tessa L. - Graphic Designer
”I always make a year in review book and I had a feeling my 2020 album would be different from previous years. It was a great way to reflect on all of the good moments that 2020 brought. Creating a year in review book is super therapeutic - it allows me to fully reflect on a year and see my memories in one place. I get to relive all of my favorite moments, re-see all of my favorite places, and watch myself transform & grow. “
”It's an organized & printed version of my Google photos, iPhone photos, social media, dropbox, etc. I love looking through these when I need a bit of positivity & love showing it off to friends and family members who were featured in them.”
Amna A - Production Designer
“During COVID, I've spent much more time at home. I was finally inspired to decorate my apartment and transform it into my sanctuary. I printed some of my artwork/photos on poster prints and acrylic blocks to finally decorate my walls. I also made a photo book of a road trip I took in 2019 with two of my best friends. We haven't been able to take a road trip together since then so this was a way to feel connected with them and remind me of the memories we share.“
“As an artist, creating is important for me. Being able to create a beautiful space to live in with tangible memories helps me feel less lonely and more connected to my loved ones during this trying time. “
”These projects give me hope that while things have been difficult lately, I am still loved and all of these photo books and prints are proof of that. It adds warmth to my apartment and makes it feel more like home”.
Tegan A. - Graphic Designer
“For the first time in 25 years, my annual family reunion was canceled due to the pandemic. It was hard not to see my aunts, uncles, cousins, and their kids for such a long time. I created an illustrated book out of a poem my cousin wrote about the week we spend as a family by the ocean each year.”
“This project allowed me to collaborate with my cousin, who did the illustrations, and have a physical reminder of the family I am so thankful for. It helped keep my mind focused on all the good things in life, even though it was a hard time for so many people, including myself. “
”I gave this illustrated poem book to my entire family. I know that it will be a treasure for generations to come.”
Michelle R. - Chief Marketing Officer
“I haven't been able to see my family as they live across the country. My Mixbook photo book of my grandmother—who was an incredibly important person in all our lives—helped bring the family together and connect us through our shared memories. I gave this photo book to my entire family and they said it was the best, most meaningful gift they've ever received! Not surprisingly, it made my mom cry.”
”Creating my Mixbook photo book not only gave me a fun, creative outlet during this time, it also allowed me to go back in time and remember all the special and meaningful moments I have shared with my family. I laughed at the silly photos (and outfits!), cried over those no longer with us, and appreciate the love and laughter I have shared with my family over the years.”
”My Mixbook project about my grandmother is incredibly meaningful to me. I lived with her for much of my life and she was a tremendous influence on me. She was a super talented poet and this book is a legacy to her life, her powerful poetry, and to all the special moments my family shared with her. I feel so grateful that Mixbook has given me a way to preserve her story and her poetry for generations to come.”
How Have You Used Mixbook in the Last Year?
We love hearing stories and seeing projects like the ones we just featured. If you’re interested in having your Mixbook project featured, drop us a message at social@mixbook.com.