The diversity of “briefs” this single-billboard agency, titled Haha Ok Corp, has taken on highlights their willingness to follow their creativity and clients wherever they may lead. “Our last board was called the ‘Idea Swap billboard’ where essentially we sat at a picnic table under the the billboard on Sundays and invited people in Oakland to trade their stuff for our creative endeavors.”
Read MoreTHIS COPYWRITER BUILT HIS OWN WRITING SHED
THIS COPYWRITER BUILT HIS
OWN WRITING SHED
It's important for a creative to have a space that's actually conducive with being creative. Sometimes this can just mean a big desktop, some framed inspiration, and an ergonomic chair. But WNW Member and copywriter Brock Kirby decided to go about a thousand steps further, well beyond adding a new bookshelf or some air-purifying plants: he built his own writing shed.
Brock tell us the whole process took about a year. He had been considering going freelance for a while, and the writing shed was a big part of that dream. Now he freelances, from his backyard. In our interview below, Brock admits that he got a big boost from his father-in-law. "He’s a master builder; that’s not just hyperbole, that’s his official title. He’s incredible at what he does and basically built the entire thing. I held the other end of the measuring tape and made runs to the hardware store, but without him I’m sitting in a prefab. He’s a saint."
Obviously, not everyone has the space or energy or father-in-law to construct their own creative shed. But Brock has some priceless advice that should help everyone up their creative levels. "Have a designated drawer for your phone and keep it in there most of the day. Other than that, just have fun and wear sweat suits."
Tell us a little bit about your background. Who is Brock Kirby and how did he get here?
I’m an Oregon boy. I graduated from the University of Oregon and went out to JWT New York for a couple years, but Portland was calling me back. I landed in a pretty sweet situation at Wieden+Kennedy and learned from the best in that beautiful building. And now, freelance, in my backyard.
What was the impetus behind building a writing shed?
I had been considering freelance for awhile and the shed was part of that dream. I love my 1-year-old and 4-year-old kids very much, but I knew I’d need a quiet space away from the Thunderdome that is my house.
I looked at a ton of pre-fab units, but realized my father-in-law and I could probably do it better and cheaper.
What element of the finished product are you proudest of?
The cedar ceiling. In the process of building it we decided to extend it to the eaves out front. I love that it brings the outside and the inside together.
What was the biggest challenge in making this creative retreat a reality? How long did it take?
The whole process took about a year. We poured concrete summer 2015, started framing in Spring 2016 and finished the whole thing by end of Summer 2016. We did the majority of the work on weekends and evenings, so just finding the time was the biggest hurdle.
Have you considered a career in architecture and carpentry?
I took some college level engineering classes in high school and worked as a general laborer during the summer for my father-in-law. He’s the one with the skills. He’s a master builder; that’s not just hyperbole, that’s his official title. He’s incredible at what he does and basically built the entire thing. I held the other end of the measuring tape and made runs to the hardware store, but without him I’m sitting in a prefab. He’s a saint.
What are the essentials for your personal creative feng shui?
Books and a couple comfortable chairs. I’ve left some space on the shelves and walls to remind myself that I still have lots of time to fill it with cool stuff.
Have you come up with a set of rules that you must abide by while in your creative retreat?
1: Write
2: Read
3. No fantasy football.
Everyone works best under their own set of circumstances. But what are some tips you can offer to creative to make their creative spaces conducive to being just that?
Have a designated drawer for your phone and keep it in there most of the day. Other than that, just have fun and wear sweat suits.
What projects have you been working on in your new digs?
Agency work, short films, the shed itself. Now that I have this big personal project out of the way I can move on to the more cliché ones, novels and pilots and such.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Seriously, get yourself a really comfortable sweat suit or five. At any moment you’re ready to write long copy, do calisthenics or sprint after the godforsaken cat that keeps digging in my fall vegetables.
Are you a WNW Member with new work, exhibits, products, or news to share? Email us!
NOT WORKING: IN MY WOODSHOP
NOT WORKING:
IN MY WOODSHOP
Mat Driscoll • Art Director • Brooklyn, NY
Three years ago, WNW Member #25 Mat Driscoll left the security of full time and headed off into the woods of Maine to follow his passion. He emerged a bearded and skilled woodworker, spending his days making impeccably crafted furniture out of his studio, Bellboy.
What is Bellboy?
Bellboy is a collaborative woodshop based in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.
We make handcrafted furniture and random objects.
What defines a Bellboy piece?
If I were to describe the style of our furniture in as few words as possible, it would be simple and timeless. Similar to graphic design and art direction, a very clean and refined aesthetic is hard to accomplish. It's easy to fall into the boat others currently are riding in. It takes an incredible amount of time and consideration to remove all that is unnecessary.
Water Tower Chair: lounge chair made from reclaimed timbers of a New York City Water Tower
How did Bellboy get it's start?
I decided to leave full-time to restore life outside of work. The problem was just as much my personality as it was the demands of the industry. But things had gotten too far out of control. My dad actually told me he wouldn't come visit because he knew I would spend half the weekend at the office. Ironically, my work ethic comes from his side of the family, and was the reason I would never think about leaving the office until 7 or 8 o'clock. But of course nobody would choose going into work over spending a weekend with family and/or friends.
I had always seen myself having a workshop – to create real, 3-dimensional, physical objects. Whether that would happen upon buying a home, or retirement was undetermined. In am attempt to gain some footing in the work-life battle, I started to do a small bit of woodworking on the weekends. It soon became all I wanted to do. I was workin' for the weekend. In January of 2010, I sat down with Paul Malmstrom and Linus Karlsson (Mother NY ECDs at the time), the two most creative and kind people I've ever met, and laid out my plan. It was met with huge smiles and not a single discouraging word.
A few weeks later I packed up and moved to a small town on the coast of Maine. There I studied traditional woodworking techniques under the guidance of some of the most renown makers in the world. In June of 2011, I returned to Brooklyn, rented a small space and opened Bellboy.
Academy Chairs debuting during NYC Design Week May 17-20, 2013
Academy Chairs detail
Where did the name Bellboy come from?
Bellboy is the name of the huge fiberglass fishing boat my grandfather bought when my dad was a kid. The same one my brother, sister and 18 cousins learned to ski behind.
How does your previous experience in the ad world affect your furniture making?
After spending many years behind the beast, I understand how a brand can be built, how it can grow and how it can fail. I'm a horrible business man, as my friends in the industry will attest, but I understand the importance of how people interact with and perceive a brand. Bellboy has fallen backwards into much of its success, but positioning ourselves to be in the right place and being willing and able to adapt has proven invaluable.
In what ways does the freelance lifestyle support your business?
Freelance allows me to dip in and out of two very different worlds. It satisfies my need to obsess over corner-rounding and typography. It also provides an audience for my highly intelligent jokes. Most importantly, freelancing affords me the time to live as a different type of artist. To be able to develop and second guess an idea for months, without having the lights turned off.
Product photos by WNW Member #1975 Josh Dalsimer
Josh, the former Mighty Mighty Bosstones drummer & one of the nicest photographers in the business, became good friends with Mat while working on various projects for Mother NY. Ranked one of Archive's 200 Best Photographers, Josh has shot for New Balance, Mastercard, Diet Coke, Stella Artois, DELL, Red Bull, Volkswagon & ESPN. He's now the photographer of record for Bellboy, which equates to free candlestick holders for life.
WORK: COUCHELLA
WORK: COUCHELLA
On April 23rd, WNW members #96 Ivan Cash, #1012 Scott Blew and Julie Matheny bring us Couchella, the first ever online music festival featuring original curated music. No expensive tickets, no sponsors, no pyrotechnics – just music. Nominate your band or favorite band today. Remember, don't eat the brown acid.
Are you a WNW member with new work to share? Email us.