About

We are a strategy-led design and innovation practice that helps organizations explore, learn and grow.

We believe in being well-informed and meaningful in every action. We are craftsmen, conjurers, and dreamers.

We are Sub Rosa.

essence

We are conscious of the ways in which our work manifests. We deal in haptic and sensory communications. As such, each interaction must be natural and human.

principles

Stewards

We guide campaigns with catalysis, impetus, and momentum.

Heuristics

Exploratory problem solving directs our planning and decisions.

Pillars of Excellence

Confidence, honesty, focus, and passion drive us forward.

Anarchy

We remind ourselves to seek solutions outside of the expected norms.

Team

Ours is a team sport. It runs on emotion and dedication from each player.

  • Things_large_jonathanbailey

    Jonathan Bailey

    Associate Producer

    • Claw Hammer To build or destroy
    • Marker You have to make yours
    • Circuit board It’s electric, boogey-woogey-woogey
    • Return Of The Jedi Thermos Ewoks keep soup warmer than most
    • Super8 Camera I love to shoot
    • Return Of The Jedi Lunchbox The force is strong with this one
    • Magnifying Glass You have to look a bit closer, to really see
    • Florida Gators Pennant I bleed orange and blue
    • Zeiss Ikon Ikonta 127 Camera One of many, from my collection of old cameras
    • Rose For Erica
    • Record Music is the greatest joy
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  • Things_large_jimbittl

    Jim Bittl

    Procurement Manager

    • Alue Sunnies These make everything look better. They stay on my face a lot.
    • Air Plant Exercise for my green thumb.
    • Wetsuit Mitten Neoprene keeps me in the water when I shouldn't be.
    • Line Line, not rope, is used for sailing. It's a very simple thing that works very hard.
    • Burgee GLPYC is home.
    • Gear Cog Biking is the best transportation off the water.
    • Bernard Moitessier He was one of the first to race around the world alone, and then he kept going.
    • Swedish Goggles The best goggles for swimming. I wish everything could be designed as simply as these.
    • Utensils I eat anything, and sometimes lots of it.
    • Nikon I take a lot of mediocre photos until I get one good one, then I repeat.
    • PG Wodehouse This man is a genius. Example: “I could see that, if not actually disgruntled, he was far from being gruntled.”
    • Fin Surfing with my family and friends. It's the best.
    • Log I will wake up every hour through the night to stoke a fire. I'm obsessed.
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  • Things_large_blakedain

    Blake Dain

    Lead Environmental Designer

    • Vintage Mallet - Old stuff is pretty cool. Old tools rock my world.
    • Classic Drafting Set - Who can put a price tag on quality European engineering?
    • Well-worn Grip Clip - For your run-of-the-mill fashion emergency on or off set
    • Sporty Cap - It's the one I wasn't wearing at the time
    • Plastic Buddha Night Light - Transcendence that works on several levels...in the dark
    • Well-worn Leather Gloves - For your run-of-the-mill cow punching, bull riding, mule packing, wagon hitching, etc.
    • Gaff Tape - umm...it's gaff tape
    • Stanley 16' - 1" Steel Tape Rule -One of the world's nearly perfect machines, and only $8.99 at Home Depot
    • 6" Steel C Clamp - I got a soft spot for the classics
    • Window Crank Handle - 1983 VW Vanagon Westfalia - Driver's Side - Who can put a price tag on quality European engineering...even when it breaks?
    • Fly Fishing Flys - My latest attempt at learning a pioneer-ish skill
    • 1960's Era Silk Tie - I love that tie...possibly more than is healthy
    • Modified Kenneth Cole Leather Boot - Wish I could say they helped my dancing, but...
    • Digital Micrometer - Sometime its just nice to know how thick stuff is...to the 1/96"
    • 3D Movie Glasses - I swear I don't know how those got in my pocket
    • Treasured Writing Tools - That's the Fisher Space Pen, a Retro 1951 Tornado, and a Lamy 7mm...none of which have improved my penmanship
    • Black Pearl Oval Eraser - When life's little mistakes happen, remove them with style
    • Vintage Wind-Proof Lighter - When society crumbles and wolves are prowling the windswept streets, I'll be that guy who's lighter still lights
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  • Things_large_orengoldberg

    Oren Goldberg

    Software Developer

    • Barometer Whether you feel it or not, the pressure effects you, so be aware of it and you are a step ahead
    • Lil' Marcos Helps to remember what's important
    • Colors Paint the town red. And yellow. And blue. And then make your own new colors and paint the rest of the world with them
    • Horizontalism Side by side is better than the alternative
    • Leaf Without nature, there is not enough nurture in the universe to save us
    • Pocket watch From my grandfather. You don't keep time, time keeps you
    • Passports US (where I was born), UK (where my mother was born), Israel (where my brother was born), Hackers on Planet Earth (I like to tinker)
    • Coin from Argentina Where my father was born.
    • Seashell Miami, where I met my lovely partner
    • OG Boggle cube and Scrabble tile spelling my initials. I love playing with language
    • Stuffed penguin Made by my grandmother, and an ode to linux
    • Mask I collect masks. We all collect masks
    • Tricycle wire sculpture Making things is fun, and bikes are cool
    • Rubick's cube I love to solve puzzles and problems
    • Bugs Bunny in Double Trouble on Diamond Island Causing trouble, making wisecracks. Oh, Bugs
    • Bureaucrats How to Annoy Them Is bureaucracy a manifestation of evil, or just the way things are?
    • Sextant We are ships at sea, with no navigation system, using the universe around us to give us clues about direction
    • Speak & Music I love music and I love computery things
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  • Things_large_caitlinjoyce

    Caitlin Joyce

    Junior Environmental Designer

    • Blue Oxford for wearing
    • Human Dimension and Interior Space by Julius Panero and Martin Zelnik for reference
    • Dymo Label Buddy for organizing
    • Alvin Basic Bow Compass for circles
    • Pride and Prejudice By Jane Austen for reading
    • Eraser for mistakes
    • Various Prisma Color Markers for use on trace, in conjunction with an ad blender
    • HI-Tec Pen for when I'm sketchy
    • Staedtler Pencil with HB lead for drafting
    • Faber-Castell Brush pen for shading
    • Paper Mate Felt Tip pen for finalizing
    • Water Color Palette for rendering
    • 1 banana, 1 tablespoon almonds, 1/4 cup gluten-free certified oats, 9th street espresso coffee beans, ground ginger, ground cinnamon for breakfast
    • Rosemary for a variety of purposes
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  • Things_large_jeffkempler

    Jeff Kempler

    COO

    • Def Jam 16th anniversary/$1B records sold jacket Reminds me to respect the DJ, and it is really, really warm.
    • Folding Pruning Saw Not in my top 10 favorite saws, but super sharp and portable.
    • Dog Collar from my dearly departed rottweiller, Lucius, who gave my son his middle name, among other things.
    • Fountain Pen from my grandfather's desk. Makes me feel like I'm signing the Constitution.
    • Paw-shaped Baby Rattle One of the first baby gifts we received, and from a surprising source.
    • The Original iPod This seemed so incredibly advanced when i got it. I still love the heft.
    • Funky Corkscrew Can't exactly master it, but it is beautiful and works on even the toughest corks.
    • Matchbox From Harry's Bar On the shore of Lake Como, and just about perfect.
    • Brass Compass Another treasure from grandfather's desk. Reminds me about true direction.
    • Backalite Dice Just beautiful and they produce a great clicking sound, if not a lot of winnings.
    • Fat Possum Records Lighter An early client with great taste, vision and swag.
    • Folding Slide-rule Measure twice, cut once (if at all).
    • Birch Bark I love this stuff. Highly flammable, but also waterproof enough to use as a folding cup.
    • Weird Folding Grabber It's weird, it folds and it grabs. I can't stop playing with it.
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  • Things_large_kristopherkowal

    Kristopher Kowal

    Activation Director

    • Hotel Keys Another Day, Another City
    • Stratocaster (Eric Clapton ‘Blackie’ Model) Favorite guitar and musician
    • Skull Ring + JBG Ring Grand School present from parents + band ring respectively
    • Harley Davidson Belt Keeps the pants up
    • Eric Clapton 24 Nights Favorite album and dvd
    • Duck Bros. Shirt If you know about this, respect
    • Rolex Submariner 50th Anniversary Keeps me ticking
    • Keychains Favorites of mine (bullet key chain thanks to Big Tony)
    • iPod Case Own a custom guitar painted by the artist with this artwork
    • Comb Grandfather’s comb (older then I am)
    • Smooth Black Rock A reminder to myself that “life is great”
    • Guitar Picks Always carry one with you
    • JBG Matches reminder of the band I was in with 12 maniacs
    • 120 Film Proud member of the RIT Mafia in NYC
    • Pirate Flag Travels with me wherever I’ve lived since 1990
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  • Things_large_kristenleung

    Kristen Leung

    Associate Producer

    • A Confederacy of Dunces Favorite book
    • Dino RAWR
    • Gold watch from Georgetown Hoya Saxa
    • Smith's Minted Rose Lip Balm I always have chapped lips
    • Denim jacket from Prague Child sized
    • Kimchi Homemade
    • Barbecue Secretly a fatty
    • Boxing gloves I can beat you up...
    • Sewing kit To patch up holes
    • Platinum Egoiste I love men's cologne
    • Chanel eyeliner Cat eyes
    • Lancome mascara I feel naked without it
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  • Things_large_alejandralima

    Alejandra Lima

    Accounting Coordinator

    • Mr. Man Best looking male model out there!
    • Journal I've been keeping one since I could write.
    • Magic Eight Ball Because sometimes it's nice to let fate interfere
    • Knitting needles I do some mean purling.
    • Can You Keep a Secret? My favorite book. Ever.
    • Chapstick Keeps my lips moisturized
    • Princess Jasmine pen The best Disney princess out there. She had a pet tiger, refused to marry just for the sake of it and kicked butt, all while keeping her hair impeccable.
    • Beatles 1 CD For inspiration
    • Glass pendant First glass jewelery I made.
    • Ipod Because music can change the world.
    • Mascara With a flick of the wand I look well rested.
    • Baruch VITA tee Yep, i'm an accounting nerd. With great eyelashes.
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  • Things_large_mattlower

    Matt Lower

    General Manager

    • Green Soccer Journal Fantastic concept and execution, just wish I’d come up with the idea.
    • Mae Light of my life.
    • Branston Pickle Makes the not only the perfect sandwich but also the much underrated ploughman’s lunch. Only question is smooth or chunky?
    • Tie Bar Always between the third and fourth buttons of your shirt.
    • Murdoc Niccals A true rock star, albeit a virtual one.
    • Comb A step up from the one you were given on school picture day.
    • Libertines Bound Together The Lennon & McCartney of my generation.
    • Chelsea Scarf Before the Russian rubles and the commercialization of the Premier League, the English Second Division Championship was all a blues fan could hope for.
    • Bounce Challenged many of my existing beliefs on life, talent and success.
    • Oasis Live Forever “Maybe you're the same as me. We see things they'll never see. You and I are gonna live forever.”
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  • Things_large_connielui

    Connie Lui

    Creative Director

    • Polaroid OneStep For a quick fix
    • Brass Nautical Compass So I don't get lost
    • Moscot Lemtosh Frames Round nerdy artsy fartsy
    • Small Brim Fedora One of the many "hats" I own and wear
    • Antique Lock and Keys Secrets
    • Barn Owl Skull We Are Owls
    • Fisheye Number 2 For when I see something fishy
    • Kodak Flash Bantam One small guy from the collection
    • Makkuro Kurosuke They are real
    • Paintbrushes They make happy little trees
    • Nikon FE My first camera
    • Pop 9 Blinged out shots
    • Black CDG Drop Crotch Pants This is how I roll
    • Notebooks I doodle notes and ideas in
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  • Things_large_diegomarini

    Diego Marini

    Art Director

    • Eye Chart Look with all your eyes, look. - J. Verne
    • Pink Panther Memory of my favourite toy ever (double the size)
    • Shades Shades for sunny and rainy days
    • Markers Black and white doodling
    • Helvetica A movie about a type???? Nerd
    • Chainring Beauty and geometry of biking
    • Eye Visual obsession
    • Pantone Cups You remind yourself how much you love print also when you drink coffee
    • Paulista Old beautiful coffee packaging by creative director Armando Testa
    • Moka Coffee maker
    • 1984 Long live Steve Jobs
    • Pasta Italian heritage
    • Balls In my previous life I was a dog
    • Cookie Monster Finger Puppet A little friend with the same passion: cookies
    • Subways I collect subway maps
    • I'm Italian Broken english is on purpose
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  • Things_large_emilymetro

    Emily Metro

    Executive Assistant

    • Tea cup and saucer set Manipulated a saucer and tea cup, made a plaster mold, and slip-casted until I no longer had a kiln.
    • Notebook From circa 2003 to present
    • Porcelain leaf Made by a ceramics professor of mine
    • Poodle and bird pin cushions Made from four different plaster molds, fabric, stuffing, and decorative pins
    • Little bird I inherited this from my grandmother. It was my favorite object of hers when I was a wee child
    • Wooden cat nesting dolls Just adorable
    • Rock from the Wissahickon park in Philadelphia
    • Antique elephant pin cushion I love antiquing, and was the inspiration for my porcelain pin cushions
    • Silver asparagus and onion salt & pepper shaker I like to season my food with class and cuteness
    • Ceramic tools To make stuff
    • Red porcelain pump Constructed from the very first plaster mold I ever made
    • Eyeglasses Can't leave home without 'em
    • Necklaces I wear one or the other everyday
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  • Things_large_michaeloporto

    Michael Oporto

    Production Coordinator

    • Winter Hat Keeps me warm, Plus it looks cool
    • Snuggles my nickname
    • Notre Dame Hat Big Notre Dame Fan
    • Drumsticks Love to play drums
    • iPod music makes the world go round
    • Bonnaroo bracelet A home away from home
    • Italy Postcard Travelling is awesome
    • Trusty Backpack so many memories
    • Cigar nothing like relaxing with a cigar
    • NHL Puck great memories
    • Islanders Card Long Island my hometown
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  • Things_large_juliepuccio

    Julie Puccio

    CFO

    • Headphones I heart music
    • 2 dollar bill my grandma used to give me these for special occasions
    • Radatore my favorite macaroni
    • Android Robot a gift
    • Stiletto heel I wear a lot of heels — I'm 5' 2"
    • Knife I chop almost every day, usually salad
    • Bullet I have good aim
    • Yankee Jersey born and raised a fan
    • Silver dollar my grandma used to give me these for special occasions
    • Engraved Silver Bracelet my grandfather made for me when I was a child
    • Rock first rock I found on the lot where my parents built their house many years ago
    • Wakko because I love his hat, his humor, and his accent
    • Notary Stamp comes in handy
    • Hair brush I have a lot of hair
    • Pencil so I can fix my mistakes
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  • Things_large_annasimonse

    Anna Simonse

    Executive Producer

    • stradivarius lessons since 1st grade
    • Steve Mono backpack perfect and converts to a tote
    • ansco memo II favorite half frame camera
    • menu from Tapas 24 ♥ Barcelona
    • from Levi's Photo Workshop my hubby + me
    • wooden shoes from Oosterbeek everyone in my family has a pair
    • Sophie Calle's Double Game brilliant
    • Intelligenstia mug parting gift from LA
    • pointe shoes last pair worn
    • iPhone my first one
    • tej leo (?), rx/pharmacists great record
    • personalized necklace digby & iona JB + AS
    • oxfords practical is best
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  • Things_large_nataliesims

    Natalie Sims

    Jr Art Director

    • Grandpa's hat For the dog days
    • Karen Walker sunglasses For ornament
    • Magic crystals For resilience
    • Sextrology For research
    • My aura For discovery
    • Henry David Thoreau For pioneering
    • Bone folder and scorer For craftsmanship
    • Sushi stapler For tiny attachments
    • Jean Harlow with kittens For reverie
    • The Iaspis Forum on Design and Critical Practice Reader For rhetoric
    • Cuckoo clock For decorating
    • Ampersand For merging
    • Donuts 4Lyfe
    • The sea For reminiscence
    • Band-Aids For scrapes
    • Red clip-on earrings For glamour
    • L'isola di Capri scarf For my roots
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  • Things_large_slide_subrosanewhire_960px_517px

    LouLou Ullmark

    Managing Director - UK

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  • Things_large_michaelventura

    Michael Ventura

    CEO

    • We Are Owls Scarf To keep me warm
    • Eyeglasses A man needs options
    • Hobo Nickel Necklace Gift my wife made
    • Levi's & Pendelton Jacket With "Back By Popular Demand" Peace Pin
    • Books The stack is endless
    • Notebooks I need to write I chew through these like a paper shredder
    • Papier d'Armenie To keep the office smelling nice
    • Lubitel camera I like old cameras
    • Bottle rockets Why not
    • Dried mushroom tea I drink and eat medicinal things
    • A feather I collect them
    • Kiehl's Musk Ol' reliable
    • Makr Card wallet Cash goes in the pocket
    • Gold chainmail ring From my wife's line BRVTVS
    • A quartz crystal To talk to the future
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