Strange adventures: Bend, OR

Strange Adventures is a visual identity and merchandise system created for Strangeworks’ company retreats. Each company offsite was treated as its own small brand experience, with a distinct theme, graphic language, and collection of items designed specifically for the location.

For the Bend retreat, we drew from the region’s outdoor culture, the cold-weather setting, and Strangeworks’ work in quantum computing. The resulting creative direction combined retro adventure graphics with playful references to quantum theory. Messaging such as “Entangled Exploits,” “Attitude at Altitude,” “Coldest Cubits,” and “Strange as Ever” helped give the retreat its own voice and personality.

The identity expanded into a broad family of lockups, illustrations, stickers, apparel, and accessories. One of the central graphics featured two intertwined cats forming an infinity symbol, inspired by Schrödinger’s cat and the idea of quantum entanglement. Other designs paired mountain landscapes, atomic symbols, weather references, and vintage outdoor typography.

The merchandise collection included company T-shirts, embroidered beanies, scarves, stickers, and engraved Yeti flasks. Rather than creating traditional corporate swag, we wanted to produce items employees would genuinely enjoy and continue using after the retreat. Informal employee feedback helped shape the selection, while quieter applications of the Strangeworks identity allowed pieces like the scarves and beanies to feel more like personal accessories than branded uniforms.

My role covered illustration, lockup and sticker design, merchandise development, sourcing, and production logistics. I worked closely with the creative team and external vendors to prepare artwork, select production methods, and ensure the final pieces reflected the original designs. The full collection was completed in time for the company’s January offsite.