Kicking out 2020 - Hello 2021!

Much has already been said about this year, so I will try to avoid repeating the obvious.

However, as the year end is always a time to look back and reflect, there is much to be grateful for, and for this year especially, many lessons to take away too.

No other experience has been more stark in discovering the value of something than through its sheer absence!

In a world where we have become accustomed to the continual addition, growth and embellishment of everything we have, what a jolt to the senses has it been to just stop.

What came through for me very powerfully was the contrast between what, and who, suddenly became 'essential' and what we could in principle live without - at least for a while. What the lockdowns did so brilliantly was to focus the spotlight on many of the cracks in our system that have been hidden through the distraction of over consumption and the dominance of certain industries and unsustainable economic systems.

At the same time we also got a glimpse of what our energy and pollution footprint might look like with, shall we say, a less consumerist kind of world. And more than just the pollution levels but the changes it imposed on our daily habits and behaviour. For sure, I don't think anyone is relishing the lockdowns, and I will be the first to confess I love travel. But it is hard to turn a blind eye to this golden opportunity to rethink and redesign that so called new normal.

In essence I hope this experience interrupted our endless debate on how things need to change. It's an opportunity to see what real collective action can look like. Although this is not the jolt any of us asked for, we can perhaps consider this a gentle nudge instead, to take stock and appreciate what we have. Most of all, to not only recognise how small and interconnected our planet has become, but also how amazing the human race can be when we collectively put our minds to dealing with a crisis like this. From big things like new vaccines in months rather than years, to the little things people took the initiative to do in and around their local communities.

We learned a lot of new skills and developed new habits in 2020. I am particularly proud of our team for not only showing resilience working remote; we managed to maintain the spirit and camaraderie that ensured we could continue delivering world class quality work to our clients. We also acted on our desire to contribute and apply our creative skills to help those around us. With a network of partners, we designed, made and delivered a hundred Home Based Learning cardboard tables to children who needed a proper desk to study from at home.

I am looking forward to taking these lessons into 2021. To abstract what has become the catchphrase of the year, it's time to 'unmute' our voices. To be ever more humble and mindful of what we have. To work harder to make the difference we truly need in order to thrive on this planet in a gentle and sustainable way.

In what small part we can play, I am excited that our new studio in Amsterdam is starting to grow as we take on meaningful projects across Europe, including teaching future design leaders with IED Barcelona, designing a more friendly world for the 3rd age with Guild Living UK and Games for Health Netherlands.

We have also been hard at work to leverage cutting edge technology for the greater good. We will be harnessing Artificial Intelligence with City, University of London, to boost creativity as we endeavour to solve our most pressing and ever more complex challenges.

Last but not least, this year we launched Orobo.io, in partnership with So Now Asia and Kryha. Together we have embarked on an ambitious project to build a platform that will allow organisations track the value of the Circular Economy on the blockchain. Within that process, we will also support companies to take the first steps towards a better and more sustainable future. I am very excited to share that we are bringing the Dutch CIRCO circular design Tracks to Singapore, further reinforcing both our Europe - Singapore connection, as well as moving us firmly into the space of planet centric design.

This year we reached an amazing milestone of 20 years in business! We couldn't have done this without the amazing people who have been and continue to be part of Chemistry. And of course, a big thank you to all our clients for believing in us, for the great friendships, and achievements we have delivered together.

Cheers to a brighter 2021 and beyond,

Bassam