by Ricardo Medina

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Recently, my wife and I took a trip to the Fairy Pools in Skye, Scotland, to celebrate 11 years of marriage. As we hiked through the beautiful landscapes and reflected on our journey together, I had a realization: many of our proudest moments, whether personal or professional, have been rooted in two key values—transparency and trust.

This concept also mirrors what we strive for in our work at Format-3. Just like the natural flow of the Fairy Pools—where each pool seamlessly feeds into the next—strong partnerships in product design and development are built on a foundation of openness and trust. When these two elements are present, everything flows smoother. Challenges become opportunities, and even the most difficult projects can feel manageable.

Transparency and trust aren’t just ideals—they’re non-negotiable.

At Format-3, we’ve come to see that transparency and trust guide us in every collaboration, whether we’re working with internal teams or external partners. When everyone involved in a project operates with transparency, difficult conversations become easier, and the vision stays aligned. Trust allows us to push forward, even in the face of challenges, because we know we are committed to the same goal.

Without trust and transparency, even the most talented teams can struggle. Progress stalls, decisions are delayed, and the natural flow of a project can feel blocked. Skill and effort only take you so far when the foundation of the partnership isn’t strong.

Partnerships built on transparency and trust create momentum

In the same way that the Fairy Pools flow naturally from one to the next, partnerships built on transparency and trust create a sense of momentum. Each phase of the project connects seamlessly to the next, and even when challenges arise, the flow isn’t disrupted—it adapts.

This flow doesn't happen by accident. It’s the result of intentional work, clear communication, and a shared commitment to the process. In product design and development, this "No Exit" mentality means we’re in it for the long haul. We don’t pull back when things get tough, and we don’t abandon ship when challenges arise. Instead, we lean into the values that create the flow—transparency and trust—and push forward together.

Embracing the "No Exit" Mentality

Personally, I’m still learning how to fully embrace these values. Trust is hard to build. But when I look back at the partnerships where we were fully committed, with no thought of "exit," the results always spoke for themselves. We achieved more, grew more, and delivered better outcomes.

At Format-3, this is how we approach every partnership. We believe in sticking with it, facing challenges head-on with transparency, and trusting that the work will pay off. It’s about building long-term relationships that not only lead to successful products but also create lasting impact.

At the core of any successful partnership are transparency and trust. These aren’t just values—they’re the foundation that allows progress to flow naturally, even through the toughest challenges. When we commit to these principles, we’re not just building products, we’re building legacies.

By Ricardo Medina

Partner, Design Director

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