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.
Marlon Brando enjoys being mysterious. Ace Hotel. PDX
July 10, 2010
On my desk: Things I brought home from New York
December 9, 2009
Off to work today. Tons of photos to upload tonight. New charity events/updates, new blog affiliate and some interesting interviews coming soon.
New York, I Like You
December 8, 2009
The bad thing about coming home from a trip is the immediate withdrawal syndrome you experience the exact moment you get home. These particular moments make me lethargic, sad and yearning to hear some R.E.M. New York, I like you. I hope I get to see you again sometime. Below are a collection of photos that I took during the rest of my trip. Roll over the images and let the cursor expose some of the textual content.
On Sunday, Vince and I had the pleasure of meeting up with Steph Walker. She had recently made the pilgrimage from San Diego all the way to good ol’ Brooklyn. Bust Magazine was hosting of their Holiday Craftacular fair and Steph invited us to joined her as she weaved excitedly through the sea artisan booths selling a variety of handmade goods. I purchased a Hudson’s Bay Blanket-themed greeting card from the kind folks behind the Gold Teeth booth.
Steph is definitely one of the most inspiring people I know. Just being around her is a true inspiration. She sees the beauty in things that most people wouldn’t; and her blog proves that. It’s a sad thing that San Diego has (again) lost one of their most talented designers. It’s seems to have worked out that way a lot lately.
After Craftacular, me, Steph and Vince made our way to swing by Printed Matter. In spite of it being across town, we decided to make the walk. Unfortunately, they had just closed doors before we had got there. So on we went…
We decided to get “New York” style pizza at Artichoke next to Union Square. It was good, but the crust was pretty harsh. I was spitting blood for the next 10 minutes. Totally worth it.
Last stop of the night was Everyman Espresso. Steph bought me a White Grape Soda to help water down all the blood that kept showering down from the roof of my mouth.
I spent the last day pretty much by myself. Vince went upstate to visit some of his family and Chaz and Andrea were out and about on their on their own devices. And here is what I saw…
