Incorporated in August 2006, 5 in 1 began out of a need for self-employed, creative professionals to have an open, collaborative environment to run their respective business’.

The name 5 in 1 represents, 5 varied business and social aspects, coming together in 1, singular collective structure.

1. The Studio
The studio is the actual, physical and virtual space that the 5 in 1 members, agency and store reside. Our first location in Brooklyn has a maximum of 14 allowable members at one time. The space was designed, by Yellow Laboratory, to encourage collaboration, fluidity and lack of constraint. We aren’t dealing with office cubicles, but an open area where members are influenced by one another and can learn about other people’s trades and professions thru creative stimuli such as mood boards and brainstorming sessions. 5 in 1 also becomes a hub for networking and shared resources, from working on PR initiatives to all using the same personal trainer at the local gym.

2. The Agency
5 in 1 provides clients with design services ranging in web, print publication, identity systems, apparel and environment graphics. Because of the diversity of designers working within the space, we can put together teams of individuals, specifically tailored for the needs of our respective clients.

3. Commerce.
5 in 1 is positioned storefront level on North 6th Street, which is considered a part of Shoppers Row here in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The entrance to the studio is in fact a retail facility offering consumers a glimpse into the design process. Its a give take relationship, where Consumers offer designers the opportunity to not only see what they are interested in purchasing, but also gives consumers the opportunity to sneak peaks into the design process and when available, interact with the designers directly.

The storefront is an ever changing organism indicative of what is happening in the back of the studio portion of the space. Since its public opening in March 2007, the store front has been predominantly Fashion orientated, but that is not to say that it will always be fashion orientated and can change any time based on the involvement and addition of new members.

4. Culture
We make it a point to offer a constant public dialogue. Whether it be through commerce driven events such as Sample Sales, through curatorial design openings or our inspiration blog, conversation is crucial for design relevance.

5. Membership
Membership is the basis of 5 in 1. Through an application process, creative professionals present themselves or their groups to 5 in 1, where they are interviewed and then selected to join the infrastructure. It is important to have the right mixture of individuals, fueling the possibilities of learning from each others process as well as opening up opportunities not seen through the eyes of an individual in your specific field.