We believe that making real connection is the ultimate contribution, and OuiSi is an expression of this calling. We believe that "everything is connected" and that life is a richer experience when we are curious about each other. We are passionate about collaboration, conversation, co-creation and open-ended play.
OuiSi blossomed as an idea in 2015, when Paul met Kaz at the THNK School of Creative Leadership. Both enjoyed exploring the world through the camera lens. The reoccurrence of patterns, colors and shapes in daily life and nature fascinated them. In other words, everyday surroundings were constantly asking the question "what does this remind you of?"
After years of development and design, in 2017 OuiSi came to life as an app. We believed (and still do!) that our tech gadgets could be better used as tools for community and creativity, rather than as simple screen destinations. We hope to relaunch our app one day (we'll announce this is our newsletter).
But the idea of creating a physical version of OuiSi was always in the back of our heads, even in those early 2015 days. Finally in early 2019 we ran a successful Kickstarter campaign for OuiSi Games of Visual Connection. First sales of OuiSi through ouisi.co happened in January 2020.
And the name itself? OuiSi itself translates into “yes yes” in French and Spanish and pronounced “we see” in English. The name celebrates the language of pictures, one that almost all of us speak globally, regardless of where we are from.
Our Team
We are a small business based in Upstate NY, with warehouses directly in the UK, Germany and across the US. We've been supported by countless friends and worked with many talented designers, coders and writers.
Paul Brillinger - CEO & Co-Founder
Paul is a NY-based photographer/maker focused on enabling co-creation, play and mindfulness in our world. He has mathematics degrees from both University of Waterloo and University of Toronto, but has spent more and more of his life dedicated to creative pursuits. You'll find him working away on his laptop in one of NYC's many cafes, taking in as many plays and concerts as possible, or exploring the lesser-known pockets and streets of New York.