Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an American-based biotechnology company with a focus on oncology and obesity. In this case study, you'll follow the process Terns went through when they wanted to commission a milestone gift for the team of scientists that work hard for them, year after year.

The team at Terns came to Playwell Bricks in search of a meaningful milestone gift they could give their employees to show appreciation for their hard work and years of service. They felt buildable bricks matched well with their scientists, but they also wanted their mascot, the Arctic Tern, to be represented.

Playwell Bricks designer Eric Dubois Yang mocked up an Arctic tern set that could be used with Playwell’s milestone bricks, indicating 1year, 2 years, etc. of service. The bricks would build up the rock on which the bird stood.

The design went well, with only a minor snag. “There was a fragile point in its ankles where it attaches to the rock,” Eric explained. When shaken, the tern’s legs would break off of the brick rock designed for it to stand on, which doesn’t meet Playwell’s standards. Eric soon found a solution: “the legs' bar actually ended up beyond the feet into the rock for stability.”

Terns also embedded an appreciation message in the Build Instructions for each employee: “Every contribution you’ve made has helped shape who we are,” read part of this message. “Like the Arctic Tern itself—a bird that travels farther than any other animal on Earth—you know what it looks like to go the distance, and we’re grateful to have had you alongside us on our journey.”

With these custom Arctic tern sets, Terns Pharmaceuticals has a fun, meaningful gift to offer their employees in appreciation of their hard work and dedicated to the company.

“We’ve distributed all of them to our employees and the reception has been great—the kits are so cute and well designed and people LOVE them!”

- Kylie Bazinet-Phillips, People Partner, Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Inspire gratitude, elevate your brand, and celebrate relationships with intention. Playwell Bricks partners with you to brand well, build well, and gift well, delivering gifts that lift your culture and message. Contact us to schedule your discovery call today.