37.5 Years
…and other notes from 2016
37.5 years represents the time people spent on a Whiteboard managed website in 2016. To be precise, over 7,345,035 people spent 19,698,583 minutes on websites we oversee. Add 37.5 years to your age and things get a little scary. There’s no denying the power of our screens.
Today, it’s likely you’ll pull up YouTube and watch a funny video or open ESPN to skim through the latest scores on a daily basis. You’ll probably watch a movie on Netflix and maybe even read a blog post on relationship advice. You may be searching for a business opportunity or hunting for a gift for your daughter’s upcoming birthday.
Whether it’s for education or entertainment, screens have become the centerpiece of most of our lives.
Screens come in different shapes and sizes — in your pocket, in your bag, on a billboard, on your wrist. For most of us, they’re how we pay the bills, organize our lives, and “manage” our friendships. And for many of us, they’ve become an addiction keeping us locked into a digital world instead of looking up to a real one.
Despite our cynicism, we possess an indelible optimism for what the internet could be. We believe the internet can be a place for hope, restoration, and reconciliation, rather than a bottomless pit of noise and news. We believe technology wants to make us better people. Better humans. Better friends. Better mothers and fathers. Better sisters and brothers.
The irony in our work is that we really don’t want people to get lost in a digital world, but look up to the wonder of the world in front of us.
For Whiteboard, 2016 was about reconnecting with this purpose. It was about serving heroes and heroines making an honest difference in our world. It was about creating products we believe in. It was about stepping outside our comfort zone and finding people who mentor to guide the way. 2016 was about iteration…not only in the projects we’ve launched, but in our own organizational design. And while we certainly felt our growth and made some mistakes, we woke up every day to face the challenge ahead of us.
One thing is for certain…we know that this year was full of the best work we’ve ever done and can’t wait to unveil some exciting new products and projects early next year.
Featured Projects
Would you help if a student in your child’s class needed shoes or a family lost their home in fire? We think so. Get a weekly text, read their story, and decide if you’ll help right from your phone. Whiteboard had the opportunity to build this tool from scratch alongside Purposity’s founder, Blake Canterbury. When you visit the website, make sure to sign-up (it takes less than 2 minutes).
The WinShape Foundation provides meaningful experiences to create connections that expose individuals to life-altering hope and truth. From day camps for kids, to programs to grow college students and shape culture for organizations, each of their programs is rooted in transformation. Featuring a seven-in-one website (not all of them have launched yet) it was a privilege for us to work alongside WinShape’s team on this project.
Traditional healthcare uniforms (known as “scrubs”) typically lack functionality, capable design and protection. Aegle Gear creates healthcare performance apparel that is functional and beautiful. Healthcare professionals need more than cotton attire to perform at their best. They deserve safe, functional and inspired clothing choices. Alongside a team of apparel veterans and their world-class products, Whiteboard was tapped to design and build Aegle Gear’s inaugural web experience.
Understory is an interactive team-learning platform designed for full circle collaboration. Understory helps you take your story and knowledge and get it in the hands of the people you work alongside. Our team has worked with Understory since the product’s conceptualization in 2014. In 2016, we launched Understory’s first iOS app in partnership with Atlanta-based organization, Plywood People. See what they’re doing with their online curriculum, Path by Plywood, powered by Understory.
“Violence unmakes the world, but preemptive love has the power to unmake violence.” Preemptive Love Coalition works to bring relief to families feeling war in Syria and Iraq. They help refugees rebuild their lives and provide lifesaving medical care for children in conflict zones. This year, we’ve had the privilege of working with Preemptive Love Coalition on a variety of digital marketing strategies. Take a few minutes to learn more about their work by visiting their website.
Company Highlights
Added Seven New Team Members
In 2016, we welcomed Stephanie Czajkowski, Emily Lloyd, Matt Campbell, Alex Nichols, Russ Pate, Peter Court, and Mia Baker to our team.
Codified our Team Culture
In a quest for clarity in our culture and team, we created the Whiteboard Passport. It’s a first step in specificity as we work to define what makes us, us. Feel free to peruse through the Passport here.
Launched Whiteboard LEAD
Leadership permeates beyond our workspace. It’s for ourselves, our spouses, our families, our friends, and influences almost every aspect of our lives. How we lead ourselves is how we lead others. This year, we launched a leadership development program for all team members designed to invite our team into designing their world that ought to be.
Hosted 20+ Workshops
We’ve had the opportunity to serve over twenty organizations through our workshop offerings. If you’re interested in how your organization should be navigating the growing marketing and digital landscape drop us an email.
Local Involvement
Moved into 701 Cherry Street
In January 2016, Whiteboard moved into our new office. It’s been a game-changer for the entire team, and the space was recently featured on Office Snapshots.
Launched CreativeMornings Chattanooga
CreativeMornings is a breakfast series for the creative community. There are currently 158 CreativeMornings chapters all over the world. In May 2016, CreativeMornings Chattanooga launched and is hosted every month by our Director of Design, Kody Dahl. Be sure to check out Chattanooga’s CreativeMornings webpage to get involved and catch up on recent talks.
Curated a Neighborhood Guide
On the Grid is a curated online guide featuring hundreds of cities and neighborhoods around the world. Whiteboard was selected as Chattanooga’s Ambassador and led the curation of 20+ places to visit. The guide recommends places such as: The Camp House, L2 Outside, Bitter Alibi, Company Lab, and many more. Next time you visit Chattanooga, be sure to use the guide.
Partnered with Mad Priest Coffee to Roast Coffee
What an honor it’s been working with Mad Priest Coffee’s Michael Rice on our very own blend. With a high standard for customer service, a passion for education, and a heart for the displaced, Mad Priest Coffee Roasters seeks to meet the growing demand for high-quality craft coffee while employing refugees resettled in and around Chattanooga, Tennessee.
What We Do
Disciplines & Capabilities
So what do we do? We design and build for the digital world. Whether shaping brand strategy to engage digital audiences, creating an app to engage, equip, or entertain, or constructing a one-of-a-kind marketing campaign to launch your new product, we do it.
