New Years is kind of a funny holiday. It’s a sort of arbitrary marker of the end of one cycle and the beginning of the next. Sure, it’s not entirely arbitrary, but we could really “start fresh” on any given month or day, or just spur of the moment. January 1st is a formalization of this idea, where we collectively reflect back on the past year, and look ahead to the next, maybe making a few resolutions if you’re into that.

This New Years, we at Clique have a lot to look back on and be grateful for—countless launches, a couple of epic beach volleyball wins, thousands of dollars raised for causes we care about like DACA and the Chicago Food Depository, and a whole lot of new—new projects, new faces, new office plants. Here’s a look at some highlights:

That time a magician showed up at State of the Clique…

Magician performing a trick at our company meeting

Or when we were named one of Chicago’s 50 on Fire…

Clique team at 50 on Fire awards

When one of our developers spoke about Accessibility at the PyOhio Conference…

Tweet showcasing a presentation by Fen, a developer

And when we hosted our own Accessibility workshop for Chicago Design Week…
Clique's accessibility workshop participants

That time we got competitive during the playoffs…

Clique team playing beach volleyball

And when we got competitive at a new sport…

Clique team at axe throwing

When we led a design sprint workshop at Denver Startup Week…

Participants at design sprint

Or the time we held a design sprint workshop with the guy who wrote the book on it…

Jake Knapp Workshop

From planting new plants…

Team is planting plants into pots

To planting new roots…

welcome to colorado sign in desert

It’s been one heck of a year.

But we’re a forward-thinking company, so let’s not dwell on the past anymore. I asked the team what they’re looking forward to most in 2018, and received some inspiring responses worth sharing.

“More interesting design challenges”

“Doing the best work of my life”

“Tackling new technical challenges”

“Collaborating”

“Continuing to grow Denver”

“MORE AXE THROWING!”

I think we’re up for it. 2018, we’re coming for ya.

Person screenprinting Clique logo onto white tshirt