Special Honorable Mentions go to Amine’s Camp Collins Shoot for New Balance Made in USA 992, Herb Lubalin Study Center, Bertha Jucá, Nika Močnik

When I was 25, everything in a sense felt clear for me right from the start. At 24, I was still figuring out what I can do and how far creatively I can go with arabbitshole. Now, the mindset is locked in completely. There is a clarity that comes from showing up consistently, from having conversations with creatives on a daily basis or just brainstorming new ideas on the regular, and from looking back, the growth has been beyond belief. I feel like the creative direction is hitting new heights , and I’ve been able to push myself into places I never thought I’d reach, not because I lacked the capabilities, but because I never expected myself to get there.

A lot of that growth came from the people I got to connect with directly. My time at Meta working with Joshua changed the way I approach everything I make, teaching me that the smallest details are often the ones people feel the most. Connecting with Mark was the world to me because having him as a mentor, it’s rare to get that type of support and his work at the Asian Art Museum and Felt Zine has shown me what it looks like to build at the intersection of art, culture, and digital storytelling. Trelli's has become one of those places I didn't know I needed, a space where I can sit with my ideas, work through them freely, and walk away having connected with people who leave me more inspired than when I came in.

Blue Lock reminded me to keep pushing beyond what I think I’m capable of. Out Of Us by Madeline opened my eyes to how deeply music can make me feel. Thuma’s product design showcased from Quentin deepened my appreciation for simplicity and thoughtful construction. Terry Bogard as a whole became the most influential non-fiction character I ever witnessed. Having the New Balance 1890A was a really cool moment for me because of the overall appreciation of footwear design. The Japanese House’s music is really a work of art too. Porsche showed me the importance of having a goal and getting after it. PBS Kids ignited a spark for me to imagine and be creative. What the good people at Hot Lunch are working on with their design really places emphasis on execution alongside playfulness. arabbitsfoot ignited my fire with film and I mean that’s just the start.

Rock Burwell's score for Obsession reminded me how much a story can live inside its sound, and still pretty great about how we were able to do a Deeper Dig with him. The guys Cisco, Yoshi, Jackson, Elijah, and Seb with WHATMORE are down this path of greatness that goes beyond music in my opinion. With Etta SF, getting to know Dani and being in the space, there’s a beauty about nature here in San Francisco that I didn’t necessarily grasp until I was around people in the space. The Johnson Leathers project releasing taught me to slow down and be present in the craft. The materials on display, how they notice the texture, the weight, and the patience behind craft is art. Kara Fabella's approach as a stylist is unlike anyone I’ve seen and watching her work made me pay closer attention to my own. Portola 2026 brought an energy that emphasized being in the moment which was even better by connecting with Tim in the middle of it all, surrounded by music and community.

The LA trip was one of the highlights of the year. Getting out of San Francisco and building with the guys while filming Deeper Digs with Madeline, Michael Sneed, and Rock Burwell was the kind of creative energy that reminded me why I started in the first place. Seeing familiar faces that wasn’t in SF showed me that the community behind this work is not tied to one place. It travels with you.

Michelle's creative direction for Seiji Oda's merch was great to learn from as well. She drew from Monday meditation groups, a local park, tea rooms, Uncle Iroh's wisdom, the concept of chosen family, and the way Seiji moves throughout, and all of it translated into a visual language that felt deeply human. It was not just creative direction. It was a reminder that peace, slowness, and community are things you can actually build around.

Then there is Devon. Doing a Deeper Dig with my brother is something I will carry for a long time. He has always been in my corner, and getting to sit across from him and capture his story on camera was insane to me. I think it showcased just how far I came with this.

Looking back, every one of these stories taught me something I carry into the next. Twenty-five has not been about having all the answers. It has been about understanding that the work was never just mine, it belongs to everyone who let me in, shared their story, and trusted me to tell it. At the end of the day, it’s all about digging deeper and I’m gonna keep doing that.