004- AM to PM
Step into the emerging world of 13AM with our blog feature, 'AM to PM,' where I, George Ripton, the founder of 13AM, invite you on an exclusive journey through our latest milestones, future ambitions, and an insider’s view into all things 13AM.
In this latest edition, I’m excited to share some major updates and achievements for 13AM. I dive into the recent launch of 13AM Crowd, our trailblazing new creative agency, and what it means for our future vision. I also provide a look at our growing community, now surpassing 200 talented creatives. Alongside this, I elaborate on Project195, where we’re set to achieve several world firsts through global representation. Finally, I share some personal news as I embark on a new nomadic chapter, starting here in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
It’s been a while since my last AMtoPM blog, and I have some exciting updates to share. First up, the launch of 13AM Crowd! It’s been nearly a year since we introduced 13AM Studio, and over that time, we’ve built an amazing asset: a thriving community. Together, 13AM Studio and 13AM Crowd now represent over 200 top creatives from 64 countries, each contributing diverse skill sets across various creative fields. This community is the heart of 13AM and will continue to grow. But what we’ve been missing is a central hub to showcase the full spectrum of our collective talent and expertise, which is exactly why we launched 13AM Crowd. Now, we’ve built one of the strongest creative agencies in the world, featuring an all-star lineup ready to tackle any brief imaginable. Our multi-award-winning community is unmatched in skill and experience, with a global reach that allows us to assemble the perfect team for any project, anywhere. We’ll pride ourselves on delivering creativity with a local touch and cultural insight, embodying what makes 13AM truly unique. With our website now fully live, I’m eager to bring in clients and pursue our mission to create global opportunities for creative talent, fostering collaboration and networking through 13AM.
We’ve also recently launched Project195, an ambitious new chapter for 13AM that highlights our commitment to global representation. Through 13AM Studio, we currently work with artists from nearly 70 nationalities, but our goal is to eventually represent every country in the world, becoming the first brand in history to do so! Starting with the UN’s list of 195 nationalities, we plan to continue beyond that milestone, shining a spotlight on underrepresented nations and cultures to promote inclusion and global awareness. We believe that celebrating diversity and fostering collaboration shows the world that creativity and art transcend borders. Once we reach our initial target, we’ll launch a series of events, exhibitions, and ventures to showcase these stories on a global stage, making 13AM a vibrant symbol of worldwide diversity and unity.
In terms of our numbers, 13AM Studio just welcomed its 177th artist last week, and our collection now features 513 bespoke pieces of art. This diverse array spans styles, themes, and mediums, creating an eclectic mix that reflects both the wide spectrum of artistic techniques and the unique stories embedded in each piece. Our collection is quickly becoming one of the most varied and impressive in the world.
Finally, I have a personal announcement to share. Nearly a year ago, I launched 13AM as an idea for a print store showcasing global talent. My vision was to create opportunities for artists from every corner of the world, connecting them to new audiences. During this time, I’ve also held a full-time role as a designer and creative director for an agency in Dubai. But last week, I decided to take a big leap: I’ve left my full-time role, left Dubai, and committed to pursuing 13AM full-time while travelling the world. Dubai’s multicultural environment was the perfect launchpad for 13AM, but as our goals grow, we’re becoming more than just a UAE-based platform—we’re a truly global community. With Project195 in mind, I can’t think of a better way to continue building 13AM than by immersing myself in different cultures, meeting new people, and spreading our mission worldwide. Currently, I’m writing from Chiang Mai, Thailand, and I have plans to explore eight more countries over the next six months. Before planning my next steps. I’ll be sharing regular updates here on the AMtoPM blog, as well as creative inspiration across our social channels throughout my journey.
As we approach the one-year anniversary of our 13AM Studio site, it’s the perfect time to reflect on what we’ve achieved. We’ve launched 13AM Studio, secured global printing partners to enable worldwide shipping, onboarded 177 artists, and built a collection of 513 unique artworks. Our social media presence has expanded across Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, and TikTok, with our community growing daily. We’ve also launched a 13AM Discord server to deepen our community connections and published 28 fantastic interviews in our “13th Hour” blog series, with the latest interview featuring Danii Pollehn coming this week. And, of course, we’ve introduced 13AM Crowd and Project195 which we’ve already discussed above. The most exciting part? We’re only just getting started!
George Ripton - 13am Founder