Some mornings, I settle at my home table, Ginger-chai in hand, ideas and sketches spread out, maybe a book nearby. It’s calm and focused. But just as often, I miss the energy of our studio - the laughter between desks, the back-and-forth of sketches, ideas sparking over a quick chat, and yes, those endless debates.

I’ll admit, I’m a little old-school. For years, I believed creative work needed its own space - somewhere apart from home, with different vibes and boundaries. Over time, though, I’ve also learned to love the freedom of remote work, especially when I need focus or am on the move. Sometimes, working from anywhere feels like a real gift.

But as a studio founder, I find myself balancing freedom with the magic that happens when we’re together. Remote is flexible and practical, but my gut says our best ideas come alive when we’re in the same room.

Here’s why:

1. We learn from each other, naturally: Creativity isn’t just about what we make - it’s about how we think. In a shared space, you notice the small things: someone’s sketching style, how they tackle a problem, the tools they love. You pick up new ways of working just by being around your team.

2. We see the real people behind the screens: Video calls show faces and work, but offices show personalities. The real connections happen over coffee, lunch, or a tired sigh after a tough project. It’s in these unplanned moments that you truly get to know your team - and that makes working together so much better.

3. Ideas happen by accident: Some of our best ideas come from a throwaway comment or catching a peek at someone else’s sketchbook. It’s hard to make those happy accidents happen online. In person, knowledge and inspiration flow freely—sometimes, just looking over someone’s shoulder during a review changes everything.

4. Culture grows in the everyday: Culture isn’t something you post on the wall - it’s the inside jokes, the little rituals, the shared highs and lows. You can build a remote culture, but it feels different. In person, culture grows naturally, with all its quirks and surprises.

So, what’s the answer? No perfect formula here. We’ve tried hybrid models—flexible remote work….

We’re trying “Work from Studio” with a bit of WFH flexibility. No perfect formula, just experimenting, watching, and learning. For now, we believe creativity thrives when people feel truly connected - not just by messages, but by real, shared spaces and stories.

I’d love to hear from you - fellow creatives, founders, and leaders: How are you making this work? What’s working for your team? What hasn’t?