The mission: Host PD’s spring party — the first party at our latest HQ office. The secret mission: Fold in a surprise for the 10th anniversary of one of PD’s partners, Sarah, AKA Energize. One party, two missions, and three weeks to turn it all around. This news post looks behind the curtain at how the PD Team made it all happen.
The secret brief
On April 17th, 2024, the planning committee began preparing for a Spring Party. The date was set for May 10th.
The mission brief was finalized, titled:
The goals were clear:
Two goals with one party.
- Celebrate Energize hitting a decade milestone on her journey with PD.
- Give the PDT another memorable and uniquely PD party to uplift spirits and deepen bonds.
Sarah, AKA Energize, is one of the four PD partners and one of six PD Leadership Team members. In her 10 years with PD, starting as a wee intern, she’s made several significant marks on what PD has become today. The spring party surprise aimed to express PD’s love and appreciation for Sarah and her success story. Her story reflects what’s possible when one nurtures the pasture they’re on rather than continuously seeking greener pastures elsewhere.
The Spring Party was also a celebration of the PDT. We had moved into our new HQ office six months prior and had recently welcomed many new PDTers. It was our opportunity to give everyone a taste of the PD party spirit and scuff up the new dancefloor together. The office-warming party would be open to friends and family of the PDT.
We have a term for secret missions at PD: “Black Ops.” With three weeks until the party date, the Black Ops mission to celebrate Energize and the PDT was ready to go.
The secret brief
We have a second not-so-official term for not-so-secret missions at PD: “Grey Ops”. It’s common for Black Ops team members to submit to “Grey” clearance when the secret leaks. It happens when you cross a team of curious fact-finders with the beauty of shared digital drives.
This Spring Party x Anniversary Celebration was not one we wanted to leak. You can imagine our shock when Sarah left a breadcrumb indicating her eyes on the mission brief.

Not all was lost — the party theme and details were yet to come! After a few chuckles and light-hearted jabs from Sarah, the party prep continued.
The pitch
The committee rolled up their sleeves and got to tinkering. First, choosing a party theme. After exploring a few options, one sang both “PDT” and “Energize” the loudest. The committee pulled inspiration from a classic storybook series to capture the PDT’s colourful characters. The plan was to create unique characters, merging the storybook’s naming convention with each team member’s PD handle.
“Mr Dreams”
“Little Miss Star”
“Mr Ideas”
“Little Miss Energize”
The characters would join together in a motley mosaic spelling out “PDT,” representing the team through its individual parts. Every PDTer would receive a t-shirt with these custom creatives to wear at the party.
The special surprise for Energize would be Sarah’s own Little Miss Energize extended merch line and, of course, a storybook. The story and art would be based on Sarah’s PD journey, set in the universe of Little Miss Energize. A read-along video would be shown at the party, bringing everyone together to celebrate Little Miss Energize’s anniversary.
The production
With the party theme and creative concept set, the committee had their work cut out. The to-do list consisted of 30+ custom characters, a PDT mosaic, a custom merch line for Little Miss Energize, and planning logistics for the party — all while keeping the theme undercover. The goal was to pleasantly surprise all PDTers, not only Sarah!
The party’s creative director and art director set up shop in safe and secret places. They snuck in a weekend collab, huddled in the office kitchen for early morning workshops, and enlisted an illustrator from the PD VN team. Guided by the wisdom and storytelling of the party’s executive creative director, the ideas rose to life.
If Sarah knew about her upcoming celebration, how would we surprise her? The committee strategized how to splice in an unexpected element. Some say they even entertained the idea of pulling the anniversary celebration from the party. The party date was drawing near. There wasn’t any time to lose. After quick deliberation, the committee landed on a decision.
The big day
At last, it was the day of the Spring Party. On top of the Spring Party, the work day was scheduled to end early for Friducation. The usual Friday energy vibrated on a higher frequency as the team planned for an early wrap-up — and because of Vietnamese iced coffee. A special order had been prepared for team members to fuel up for the extra fun day ahead.

Shoutout to SITLO Vietnamese Coffee
The committee crossed t’s and dotted i’s clearing fridge spaces, putting up wayfinding signs, ensuring food caterers were en route, and of course, attending to client work. Fun is great, but only when the bills are paid.
With Friducation wrapped up, it was time to segue into party mode — and launch the party theme!
The PDT mosaic was officially unveiled and introduced to the team. Gasps and pointed fingers surfaced as team members spotted each other in the mosaic. The committee unveiled the second surprise.
And you get a T-shirt! And you get a T-shirt!
Each PDT character was introduced for the team to see.
It was time to rally the troops and get the party vibes rolling. After changing into their PDT tshirts, the team got to tidying desks, stowing away monitors, setting up lights, and switching over to party mode.

Coordinating the ideal food flow
Time to feast! Shoutout to Hanoi Bites and Bastos Boys Bodega
The party was a great success. Friends, family, and PDTers gathered to warm up our new HQ office. After the majority of guests arrived and before the party got into full swing, the committee rounded everyone up into the main space. It was time to introduce the surprise!
We raised a toast:
“It’s so nice having everyone under one roof. For those who don’t know, it’s actually a very special evening. It’s a celebration for our very own Sarah, AKA Energize. Sarah’s a very integral part of Pixel Dreams. She’s one of our partners and she just celebrated 10 years here, which is massive. And so tonight, we’re going to celebrate Sarah. It’s a tribute to you. The team has put together a video for you. Without further ado, raise a glass, or a cup, or a can — whatever you have — to Sarah, AKA Energize. Thank you so much for being you.”
The group raised their glasses, cups, and cans to Sarah as the read-aloud popped up on the big screen.

Cheers, Sarah!

Airing on the big screen
Little Miss Energize read-along
Laughs were had. Tears were shed. With the conclusion of the read-along, the committee called Sarah up to receive her gift.
“Sarah, this gift is for you.”
“I already know…” Sarah replied.
“Please read the card aloud.”
There were ooh’s and ahh’s from the crowd.

Receiving the “surprise” gift

Reading the card aloud
Sarah read her card to the group,
“Little Miss Energize,
Because you couldn’t help but be nosy, because you dug around for the mission brief for this supposed surprise party, because you were all braggy about finding out, the Party Committee decided to withdraw your surprise gift.
The gift will come to you at an unexpected time and unguessable place. Good luck fact-finding that!
So for now, enjoy this simple box. May it symbolize the many boxes you helped us move during your interview phase to become a wee intern for a yet-to-be-defined role.
We’re forever grateful for your courage and curiosity, for your audacity — or is it pure stupidity? — to join a tiny business moving from a big, beautiful, brick-and-beam loft office to the next door condo office 10 years ago.
Welcome to the decade club, pahtna!”

A joyful moment between Little Miss Star, Little Miss Energize, and Mr Dreams
After big hugs and a couple more tears, the group raised another toast to Sarah. And the evening was still young! The Spring Party goers continued on their merry way.
The party extended late into the night with much singing and dancing, as is PD tradition. Sarah’s 10-year anniversary celebration was etched into the memories of PDT, friends, and family with one epic office party.
The surprise, revealed

Presented in a pearly white box, contrasting the brown box from her first “surprise”

Little Miss Energize bookmarks

Little Miss Energize notebook

Notecards addressed “From the desk of Little Miss Energize”


Little Miss Energized mug



Little Miss Energize storybook
Your curiosity has opened doors and will do so much more.”
Your PDT