Studio Rubric
2020 in Review
Like the rest of the world, the team at Studio Rubric was thoroughly tested by the challenges of 2020. Suddenly, we were faced with the opportunity to reevaluate how we work. Our team was scattered under different roofs, working side by side with partners, pets, and kids, but we continued to collaborate and create meaningful work with our clients and friends.
We made tough choices—like closing our newly opened Brooklyn studio, relocating cross country, and learning how to parent and manage relationships in close quarters.
But we also made incredible gains—like expanding our team to include some unbelievably talented and dedicated humans, working through new challenges with clients, rediscovering personal passions, bringing home new babies and new cats, and closing out a dark year in a bright and promising place.
We’re proud to call 2020 one of our most successful years to date, and we’re proud to share its unlikely fruits with you now that it’s over. Finally.
Bringing Books Online
Partnering with Heggerty and working side-by-side with CEO Andrew Follett and his team, we created a website and suite of digital curriculums to adapt to the urgently evolving educational industry and meet growing demand from teachers for digital tools.
Refresh Without Rebuilding
We teamed up with Scott Dodoro, Executive Producer at Local Boy Productions, to elevate and refresh the visual language of their existing Squarespace website to better speak to their level of work.
New Blood
2020 saw fresh faces added to our remote team of creatives with a diverse group of wildly talented strategists, designers, copywriters, and developers.
Creating the Tools to Amplify Voices
In collaboration with Weglot and Co-Conspirator Press, we created a multilingual showcase site on Squarespace for Co-Co’s publication, “The Creative Black Woman’s Playbook,” written by Veronica Camille Ratliff.
Connecting Fans and Pushing Boundaries
In a partnership with Squarespace and Madison Square Garden, we designed and launched a custom website for Counter Logic Gaming, an esports organization connecting fans with their pro gaming teams.
Palm Springs Eternal
In order to bring some warmth to winter in New York, we hosted our first open submission Palm Springs themed art show (pre-pandemic). Our studio walls were completely covered with vibrant work from over 35 artists, illustrators, photographers, and crafters.
Pivot the Message, Polish the Look
When Dexas made the shift to a direct-to-consumer message, they came to us to build and launch a design aesthetic and e-commerce site to showcase their beautiful kitchen, work, and pet products.
Escape from New York
Rubric CEO, Justin, along with his wife and dog, moved north to the Hudson Valley in June just in time to settle into their comfy place in the woods and have their first child, Baby Lee, born in August.
An Off the Grid Showcase
In partnership with Squarespace, we worked with designer and stylist Colin King to create a custom website to showcase his work in high-impact, full-screen images, stretching beyond the usual Instagram-style feed of images.
A Hub of Connection
In another partnership with Squarespace, we created a website for Knicks player Lance Thomas’ youth foundation, Trust Your Work, a non-profit using fishing to inspire youth to achieve their personal goals.
Taking Design Online
We worked with Erin Bazos at ADD NY to translate the identity system her design shop developed into a custom Squarespace website for FILD, a tech-enabled recruiting platform
From Cali to Connecticut
Taking full advantage of remote work, our COO, Josh, and his wife Lena packed up their apartment in Los Angeles and moved deep into the woods of Connecticut, right down the road from Justin.
Extending an Albums Reach
When Nathaniel Rateliff put out his new album, he worked with us to revamp his website to match the album’s iconic look.
Designing for Designers
MLTI NYC is a multidisciplinary design shop obsessed with visual storytelling. We worked with Founder and Creative Director Kristen Shenk to build a custom wordpress site to bring MLTI NYC’s designs to life.
Home Together
Our Project Manager Eamon took two major life steps this year. He and his girlfriend moved into a Pre-War brownstone apartment in the Clinton Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn, and they adopted a beautiful chubby cat, little Cream Cheese aka CC.
Creating a Covid Hub
Sargent CPA's is a specialty accounting firm working with designers, influencers, agencies and startups (including Rubric). They recently underwent a brand identity revamp with the talented Jon Contino. We designed and built a Squarespace website that presented the company services and served as a Covid info hub for clients.
Reclaiming the Outdoors
Drawn back outside by the pandemic, our lead developer, Alex, reclaimed his favorite hobby, fishing.
Simple Solutions to Simplify Messaging
In collaboration with ADD NY, we were brought on to build an engaging, immersive experience to help tell the unique narrative of Tenkara Capital Investors.
Always Growing, Constantly Refining
Since 2019, we’ve worked with Vanilla to continually refresh their website and visual design system across the board. As a quickly growing startup, they’re constantly evolving what they offer and how they present it to their audience.
New Creations, IRL
Our senior designer, Phil, traded in his Figma canvases for real ones and perfected his olive marinades.
Selling Money, at a Discount
We worked with the team at Tend to launch their campaign website so folks could get a taste of what it feels like when your money works harder for you.
Rep Rubric
Our creative team is repping Rubric this winter and now you can too.
Grab a jockey cap featuring Rick, the Studio Rubric mascot, for only $20. We only have a few left, so get yours while you can!
See You in 2021
While we can’t promise 2021 will be anything less than stressful, we’re here to make it a little easier. If you have a project idea you’re looking to talk through, give us a shout.