Edwin Himself is Edwin Negado

In photo: Mexico City Randoms [Vans OTW trip]

December 26, 2011

Random run-in with this lad wearing Vans OTW Larkins.

In Photo: Teotihuacan, Mexico with the Vans OTW crew

December 26, 2011

It’s always awesome meeting people that have inspired you for a long time and finding out that they’re some of the nicest dudes out there. Had a blast in Mexico, gents!

Links: Eric Elms, The Blackouts, Steve Zeitzoff and Vans OTW.

Next week’s agenda

October 17, 2011

The Northwest in Photo Pt 3: Vancouver, BC

July 8, 2011

Salt Tasting Room

Cafe Medina

Neighbor

Inventory Shop

The Northwest in Photo Pt 2: America’s Family Diner. Woodland, WA

July 8, 2011

“We serve all American, homemade, yummy food.”

The Northwest in Photo Pt 1: Cannon Beach, OR

July 8, 2011

I had some friends in town over the last week and we pretty much visited, climbed and ate everything great about the Northwest. Above are a few photos that I took of Cannon Beach.

Going through San Francisco (Mike Giant, FTC, Ameoba, RVCA Gallery)

September 29, 2010

A Weekend at Wieden+Kennedy. Portland, OR

July 16, 2010

WK12 is an experimental school housed within Wieden+Kennedy’s Portland headquarters. Only open to 13 students a year, the school — disguised as an ad agency, has been able to gather some of the country’s most talented individuals seeking to express their craft under one of the world’s most successful ad agencies. Known for composing some of Nike’s most innovative campaigns, W+K brought life to the Just Do It, I am not a role model, and Bo Knows spots. Their current claim to fame can be found within their work with Old Spice — which stars a cool, nonchalant and sometimes an equestrian-chic, Isaiah Mustafa.

Now why was I in Portland last weekend? Turns out, I was (humbly) selected as one of the final 26 applicants chosen to spend the weekend in Portland with current WK12 students and W+K staff. Hopefuls from all over the country were flown to The City of Roses to meet, greet and get familiar with brains behind W+K. The weekend also provided as the final stage of the selection process; where 13 members will be chosen to succeed the current WK12.6 class. It was an honor to spend the weekend with so many great minds. Who’ll make the final 13 and be named WK12.7? I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

This is Dan Wieden, co-founder of W+K along with his long time friend and collaborator, David Kennedy. He’s the man responsible for coining Nike’s culture moving “Just Do It” slogan. He’s pretty much shaped the way we digest the modern world of advertising. Just being in his presence was inspiring. In an open discussion, Wieden fielded questions about the humble beginnings of W+K and shared his thoughts about the current state of advertising and some of the social conflicts between the advertising industry and its audience.

Wieden also revealed the story behind the Just Do It slogan and its grim connection to the execution of convicted murderer, Gary Gilmore. The story reveals that before Gilmore was sent off to be executed, he was asked if he had any last words. Gilmore simply replied, “Let’s do it”. Wieden felt that that the gusty reply related well with the physical hurdles that athletes face on a daily basis. Wieden then replaced the word “Let’s” with “Just”, and the rest is history.

I have a fondness for well-built spaces. The Wieden+Kennedy headquarters was constructed by Portland’s Allied Works Architecture firm under the direction of Brad Cloepfil. Its concrete laid construction reminded me a lot of the Salk Institute in San Diego by Louis Kahn.

On my desk: Things I brought home from Portland

July 13, 2010

I seem to accumulate a lot of things on my trips. I spent the last couple of nights at the Ace Hotel in Portland and managed to gather pretty much every hotel-branded stationery piece that they had. More items to supplement my design hoarding addiction! Portland is a beautiful city. It reminded me a lot of Seattle, sans the section of franchise eateries. I was in town over the weekend spending some time with the kind folks at Wieden+Kennedy. More on that later.