Foundations are the core of our office, and one way in which we help individuals grow professionally and personally. They are all of the categories that make up who we are as an office. These include areas like design process, production, 3D, research, marketing, etc. Everyone in our office is given an opportunity to choose an area of focus they are passionate about. They are challenged to lead as an entrepreneur, create a vision, a plan and execute it.

The AODK Mentoring program is designed to assess where all employees are in their current strengths and weakness, understand their passions and goals, and set a plan in place to help them achieve their goals. Each member of the team is connected with a mentor that they meet with on a regular basis as well as whenever needed.

We are makers. We love to create and build with our hands. Our full in-house workshop has tools from laser cutting, 3D printing to woodworking and welding. We investigate material capabilities, build physical models, develop prototypes and make furniture. The tactile nature of working at different scales and the physical act of making expands our creative process.

Once a month, AODK provides lunch for the office and we all watch a video related to a designer and the design process. It is an opportunity for us to continue to develop our design voice as a team and individually.

We all spend a lot of time together. While work is what drew us together, our team is ultimately selected based on wanting to be around everyone everyday. We do Friday after work social times, events during the year, a holiday party and lunch outings.

Every Tuesday morning we meet as a whole team. The meeting includes a review of what is happening in the office, review particular projects, celebrate wins. Additionally, during the year all team members will take a turn at presenting research on a topic that is part of the theme for the year.

Enjoy life.

Bring your best.

Continue learning.

Care for each other.

Be creative.

Encourage everyone.

Follow passion.

Be thankful.

The AODK Wellness Program is designed to help us grow personally stronger and not just professionally stronger. Areas of focus include financial management, physical fitness, stress, managing workload, work-life-balance, leadership, etc. We focus on a structure called the 8 Dimensions of Employee Wellness.