Last year was one of those years that asked a lot from us and then asked for a bit more, just to be sure. It was busy, fast, challenging, exciting, and somehow still full of moments that reminded us why we do what we do in the first place.
A lot of work, a lot of learning, a lot of figuring things out as we went. We showed up, pushed through deadlines, constant revisions, and slowly but surely grew into a better version of ourselves as a team. Some days were loud and fast, others were quiet and demanding, but all of it added up. Looking back now, it’s clear how much effort went into making the year what it was.
As the year came to an end, it felt right to step away from the usual routine and just be together without screens, tasks, or timelines hanging over our heads. That’s how the end-of-year retreat happened, and honestly, it couldn’t have come at a better time.
We went to Lagos and kicked things off with paintballing, which turned out to be exactly as intense and funny as you’d imagine. And let me tell you, people took it seriously. Very serious. There were a lot of surprise attacks, dramatic reactions, and of course, we have plenty of photos to prove it. It was loud, chaotic, and ridiculously fun.
After that, we headed out for dinner. We got there later than planned, but no one really cared. The vibe was relaxed, the food was good, and it was just nice to sit around, talk, and enjoy each other’s company without rushing off to the next thing.
One of the most interesting parts of the trip was painting. This was graphic designers stepping away from their laptops and trying to recreate their creativity without their keyboards and an undo button. The results were… mixed. Some people clearly had hidden talents. Others had a lot of confidence and very little accuracy, every painted piece told a story, even if that story was “I tried my best.” Either way, it was fun watching everyone lean into it, laugh at themselves, and just enjoy the process.
We ended the day with games, conversations, and that calm tired feeling that comes after a really good day. We eventually made our way home, feeling a little nostalgic and very much content.
Last year wasn’t flawless, and that’s probably why we had so much fun. There were deadlines we barely met, ideas that took a few tries to get right, and plenty of moments where we laughed at ourselves. It wasn’t always easy, but we got through it together, learned a lot, and shared more than a few laughs. The retreat was a perfect reminder that the people around you make all the difference.
Some of our favorite moments from the trip are captured in the pictures below.
