Wearing Our Story: The Meaning Behind Softjourn’s 2025 Global Merch

At first glance, our new merch might look like a collection of stylish symbols — bold icons, familiar shapes, clean lines. But look closer, and you might see something much deeper: our stories.

Each design carries a piece of who we are — our shared values, expertise, high standards, and, above all, our humanity.

It’s not just about looking good (though it certainly does). Each element tells something about the people and cultures that have shaped Softjourn over the past 25 years. It represents the technologies we work with, the countries we call home, and what has always united us: a shared passion for technology and creating meaningful solutions.

Let’s take a closer look at how each culture adds its own voice to our shared story!

Ukraine

For our Ukrainian team, symbols like the vyshyvanka, wheat, and the letter Ї hold deep cultural meaning.

Taras Romaniv shared how wheat represents not just abundance, but also respect for labor and tradition:

“Bread is sacred. It’s part of our DNA. Wheat stands for respect — for our land, our roots, and the work of our hands. It’s also the smell of home — the crust, the warmth, the taste of Ukrainian flour that feels different from anywhere else.”

Then there’s Mriya — the Dream. The legendary AN-225 aircraft, once the world's largest, has become a symbol of Ukrainian courage and ingenuity.

“For me, Mriya isn’t just a plane. It’s belief in our potential to create something truly great, even in the hardest times.”

— Oleksandr Chubatyi

And, of course, the letter Ї — uniquely Ukrainian, often suppressed, yet never erased. Its story of resistance and revival mirrors the spirit of the people it represents.

“Over time, this letter became a mark of identity. A reminder that even the smallest symbols can carry the weight of a nation.”

— Daryna Posternak

These symbols remind us to protect what makes us distinct. To Think Human and do the right thing, even when times are hard.

USA

Across the ocean, our U.S. teammates found meaning in symbols of freedom, innovation, and everyday life — from the bald eagle to the Golden Gate Bridge and even a simple ear of corn.

Meghan Neville shared how the bald eagle’s near-extinction and recovery mirrors America’s history itself: facing immense challenges but finding strength in unity. 

“Their flight reminds me that freedom is worth fighting for,” Meghan says, inspired by environmentalist Rachel Carson, whose work helped save the species.

For Heather Rice, meaning grows closer to the ground — in something as simple as corn.

“Corn is a symbol of rural life, independence, and self-sufficiency,” she shares.

And for Jeff Kreuser, the Golden Gate Bridge stands as more than an engineering marvel. 

“To many of us, it represents possibilities. For a global team like ours, it feels especially fitting, a bridge between ideas, cultures, and opportunities”.

From the soaring eagle to the red span of the Golden Gate, these symbols reflect what drives the U.S. spirit: courage, reinvention, and the freedom to build something better, again and again.

Brazil

From the land of samba and football, our Brazilian team infused the merch with energy, warmth, and a sense of connection.

The Tupi-Guarani feathered headdress embodies the wisdom and enduring spirit of Brazil’s Indigenous people, whose traditions continue to shape the nation’s identity. The toucan, with its vivid colors, reflects the lush beauty and diversity of the Amazon, a living reminder of Brazil’s bond with nature. And coffee, Brazil’s most famous export, represents warmth, energy, and the daily ritual that connects people across the world.

For Filipe Ferreira, football is where the Brazilian spirit truly comes alive.

“In 2002, when Brazil won its fifth World Cup, the whole neighborhood painted the streets,” he recalls. “It was all about unity and joy.”

For Wallace Lima, independence means authenticity: 

“True independence is living in harmony with nature and honoring our Indigenous roots.”

And for Pietro Durante, Brazil’s essence begins at home.

“Every Christmas, we travel to Recife to celebrate together,” he says. “We share laughter, traditional food, and the simple joy of being around the same table. That unity is what Brazil means to me.”

Their chosen symbols, the Tupi-Guarani feathered headdress, football, the toucan, and coffee beans, remind us that culture is both deeply personal and universally human. 

Poland

In Poland, symbols of humor and resilience line the streets of Wrocław — quite literally. The city’s famous gnomes, once graffiti protesting communism, now stand for creativity and peaceful resistance.

From the Łowicz rooster, a folk emblem of prosperity and protection, to the bison, saved from extinction through national conservation efforts, Polish symbols carry lessons of endurance, hope, and care for the world we live in.

The rooster is one of the most popular motifs in Polish folk art,” says Martyna Jancewicz. “It guards the home like a tiny sheriff — proud, optimistic, and always on duty. I have one on my countryside chimney, and its morning crow feels like a promise of safety and a new beginning.

The bison, or żubr, may not be our official emblem, but it reflects the strength and freedom deeply rooted in Polish identity,” shares Karolina Skup. “I still remember seeing them in Białowieża as a child — majestic, untamed, and embodying a freedom that I now, as an adult, see as something deeply tied to Polish identity.

These stories remind us that every act of creation, whether code, art, or sculpture, is a way of saying: we care about what comes next.

This collection was never about creating “just another hoodie.” It’s a celebration of who we are — a company made of diverse people, shared values, and over 25 years of expertise.