Working Not Working made its small screen debut in recent weeks in a commercial for Microsoft Office. As part of their #TheNewOffice campaign, Microsoft is showcasing organizations that are enabling the future of work and collaboration. Courtesy of their agency (and WNW members) The Pub, Working Not Working was chosen.
Read MoreIllustration by Mike Hirshon
MIXTAPE: THEM CHANGES
MIXTAPE: THEM CHANGES
As autumn gets underway in the Northern Hemisphere, WNW HQ has put together a mixtape of songs that our members are currently playing on repeat to fuel their creativity. Give this a spin, wherever you are; it may just give you some inspiration, or at least give your ears a good buzz. This week's edition pairs nicely with some hard cider and warm apple pie.
You can open the Spotify playlist here.
Them Changes - Thundercat (WNW HQ)
Reptilia - The Strokes (Yoni Alter)
I'm A Cuckoo - Belle & Sebastian (Mike Hirshon)
Let It Happen - Tame Impala (Ngaio Parr)
Oh Man The Future - De Lux (Todd Grinham)
The Bathtub - Dan Romer & Benh Zeitlin (Brittany Poole)
Dig Me Out - Sleater-Kinney (Veronica Corzo-Duchardt)
I-F - Space Invaders Are Smoking Grass (Andreas Tagger)
Are you a WNW Member who wants to share your creative theme songs? Email us.
HOW TO HUSTLE: ZACH HILDER
HOW TO HUSTLE: ZACH HILDER
From his beginnings as a music journalist for MTV to his days at Publicis & Hal Riney, where he built a portfolio on the fly, WNW Member #3715 Zach Hilder has always embodied the hustle necessary to build a career as a creative. Now, Zach has helped launch an agency from the ground up, fittingly titled Hustle. Their founding client? Beats by Dre.
Zach takes us through some of his biggest accomplishments, such as the #STRAIGHTOUTTA campaign, Call of Duty's "The Replacer" short films, and the "Fuck Photoshop" pencil. As Zach Hilder says, "HUSTLE is really more than a name. We move fast and we work hard. You have to if you want to move at the speed of culture."
You started your career as a music journalist for MTV. What was that like? How’d you make the transition to copywriter?
I covered the Chicago music scene for MTV.com. It was the late 90's. The Pumpkins still had some heat. But Chicago wasn’t exactly a hotbed for music back then. I would get backstage and interview bands at local shows like The Double Door or the Elbo Room but also on the big tours when they came through like HORDE Fest and Lilith Fair. Strangely enough I got to be close with Barenaked Ladies – and it was right when their “Chickity-China-the Chinese-Chicken” song blew up. It’s too strange and embarrassing to make up… unfortunately. But that’s where I learned to write. While I loved it and was way into music, I always felt like I was reporting about people being creative instead of actually being creative myself.
My Mom knew someone who worked at Publicis & Hal Riney at the time. Every other agency told me I had to go to Miami Ad School to build a portfolio because I didn’t have anything but my MTV writing samples. But Riney took me in as a production intern. I managed to weasel my way onto a couple of briefs and started writing ads for them. Some of my work helped them win a pitch for a retirement home of all things. They hired me as a Jr. Copywriter in the fall – without a book. It’s crazy to think about now but I spent the first 5 years of my career building my portfolio, taught myself Photoshop, and would stay late creating fake ads as if I had went to ad school.
HUSTLE has a certain amount of mystery surrounding it. Can you pull back the curtain a bit and give us some background: what it is, when you started, who's involved, and what you’ve been working on?
HUSTLE is an offshoot of R/GA with Beats by Dre as its founding client. And what an incredible founding client to have. We now have HUSTLE shops in both London and Shanghai in addition to our LA office. This city is going through quite a renaissance these days. It feels like LA is where entertainment meets tech meets everyone who’s sick of New York. That combination makes for some really interesting opportunities.
It must be tough to name an ad agency. How did you guys choose HUSTLE?
Honestly it was really hard. It’s kind of like naming a band. No one can agree. All the good names are taken. And your chance of picking something you regret is pretty high.
So what it came down to is we wanted to pick a name that we could live up to everyday and that for us was HUSTLE. It captured for us both our spirit and our desire. HUSTLE really is more than a name. We move fast and we work hard. You have to if you want to “move at the speed of culture.” We shot, edited and finished a two-minute Marcus Mariota Beats film in 5 days to have it on air for the NFL Draft. That takes teamwork and a lot of honest conversations with ourselves and our client. Yeah it takes dedication, but it’s very rewarding when the plan comes together. We had four of the first five players in the NFL Draft take their phone calls from their new teams live on ESPN in a pair of Beats headphones. The same first round that was sponsored by Bose. That’s the kind of work that defines HUSTLE.
What’s been the biggest challenge in starting HUSTLE?
We haven’t had the luxury of time. We’ve grown by 40 people in the last year. So for us, the biggest challenge is creating culture. That’s not something you can fake or manufacture. It has to be true and your team from top to bottom needs to believe it. For us, it starts with honesty. My partner Will Esparza and I try to be as transparent as possible with our guys. We also want everyone to have a point of view, creative or not. We also have a saying, “entrepreneurs, not employees.” For us, this speaks to always looking for an opportunity, not just doing what’s expected. We want people to come to HUSTLE to do the work of their lives. And that’s a shared responsibility.
The "Hear What You Want" campaign for Beats By Dre redefines the idea of noise-cancelling headphones. You’ve featured a lot of athletes, how do you decide who to work with?
Hear What You Want has always been a reflection on what’s really happening in culture. We do a lot of research. We become experts on these athletes. We talk to these athletes, their agents and their families on the phone, in their hotels and in some cases go to their homes to get their stories. We want to know what really drives them? What keeps them up at night? We want to tell a personal story only Beats can tell. So for Hear What You Want, it has to be true. The athlete needs to be surrounded by noise, which could be from a big moment like Richard Sherman in a playoff game or it can be brought on by their personality like Draymond Green. But it has to be true and we work really hard to make sure it is. That means not every athlete can get a Hear What You Want film.
Who do you turn up to cancel all the noise?
WU-TANG, again and again. Ricky Rozay aka The Teflon Don aka The Fresh David Koresh. Also been way into the new A$AP album.
Did you have a feeling the #STRAIGHTOUTTA campaign was going to blow up like it did?
No one knew. I know I didn’t. I think that’s because I had such a personal connection to the album. I would listen to Straight Outta Compton on repeat in my parents’ basement in Glenview, Illinois when I was 13 years old. I knew all the words to every song and I didn’t know why at the time, but I really connected with the album. Now I realize – after seeing the response to the campaign – that a lot of people connected to the album like I did. It was so raw and so true, that it didn’t matter if you had ever been to or even knew what Compton was. It was an emotion these guys put into a song to be proud of your hometown. And everybody could get behind that.
What was your reaction to the public’s response to #STRAIGHTOUTTA?
It was pretty awesome to watch what they did with the meme. They took the meaning and twisted it completely. It went from being from somewhere to being out of something. All of the sudden, all of these culture jabbing memes popped up from 50 Cent being “Straight Outta Money,” to Cosby being “Straight Outta Quaaludes” to Kobe being “Straight Outta Teammates.” Then the White House dropped the now infamous “Straight Outta Uranium” meme on Iran. Damn Obama, that’s cold…
Which project in your career are you proudest of?
I don’t think I have a proudest moment. I think the whole thing has made me proud and it continues to. I’ve given so much of my life to advertising, but it’s given me back so much. I’ve made so many friends, met my wife and traveled the world because of advertising. Yeah there are tough days but at the end of the day, this is a pretty rad job.
What was it like to tell LeBron’s story about coming home to Cleveland?
When we started working on the assignment, LeBron was still in Miami. We had different creative in place and we’re working his people to find a place to shoot him – Florida, Brazil and even China. Then suddenly he announced he was returning to the Cavs so we immediately rewrote the film to tell his coming home story. We shifted the entire production and two days later we were on the ground with LeBron in Akron shooting him in his high school. It was a project that LeBron was so involved in, he told us things that he had never talked about publically, like watching his childhood home being demolished in front of him when he was 2 years old. While we were editing we would fly back to Akron to meet with his Mom to hear more of these really emotional stories. We even shot his flashback scenes in the actual apartment he grew up in Spring Hill as a teenager. But yeah, I’m a Bulls fan.
You subverted the role of promotional merchandise by fixing the following two words onto pencils: Fuck Photoshop. Are you still getting “Fuck Photoshop” pencil checks in the mail?
The “Fuck Photoshop” money has petered out a bit. I sold probably 3000 of them across the world, which is insane when you think about it. Who knew that many people hated photoshop? Or used pencils?
You were a writer on the Call of Duty campaign "The Replacer". What was the behind-the-scenes like?
The guys at 72 have killed it on that franchise. I was lucky enough to work on it for a bit on “The Replacer” films. Easily the highlight for me and pretty much my lifetime was playing JB Smoove at ping pong. We were recording pick-up lines and JB said he had game. I do own my own ping pong paddle so I wanted to see what kinda game he had. He was good for not playing in a long time. Eventually the recording studio shut us down because JB was shouting too much and I was probably sweating too much.
What advice would you pass on to your high school self?
I probably would’ve told myself to be taller.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
It’s weird. I don’t think I ever wanted to be anything, which maybe makes me perfect for advertising? I always said if advertising didn’t work out that I’d want to be a cable guy. There’s something very freeing about riding around all day in a van, wearing a jumpsuit, hearing what I want.
Are you a WNW Member with new work, exhibits, products, or news to share? Email us!
PROFILES OF THE WEEK: AUGUST 31ST
PROFILES OF THE WEEK: AUGUST 31ST
David Lane, Art Director. London.
Ike Edeani, Photographer. New York.
Priscilla Giler, Art Director. New York.
Louis de Villiers, Designer. NewYork.
Brendan Dawes, Creative Technologist. Liverpool.
Gustav Almestål, Photographer. London.
Abby Bridges, UX/IA Designer. Los Angeles.
Are you a WNW Member with new work, exhibits, products, or news to share? Email us!
HOW TO MAKE A MAGAZINE: JACKIE LINTON
HOW TO MAKE A MAGAZINE: JACKIE LINTON
WNW Member #6216 Jackie Linton is the publisher of the blossoming magazine Bad Day, a biannual arts and culture magazine that focuses on direct dialogues with the international creative community. Bad Day showcases some of the intimate commonalities we all share in our routines, perspectives and working practices. We spoke to Jackie about the origins of Bad Day and how it grew from Toronto-based side project to covering the global creative scene. With a recent feature on Kim Gordon (of Sonic Youth fame), Jackie couldn't be happier: "I'm proud any time I see the magazine on a newsstand. Even more so is when it's a surprise—like an unexpected bodega downtown, or when someone texts me that they saw it at an airport in Sweden. It's at the point now where the magazine has taken on a life of its own, and that’s the most satisfying for me."
What led you to start publishing Bad Day, in addition to working as a copywriter? Give us a little background of how it all got started.
Bad Day was founded in Toronto, and began as a fun side project to try to speak to the global cultural community while building a conversation around Canadian artists, musicians and creatives. Ultimately, I think it was a fun opportunity to work with friends to catalog our tastes, and produce something really distinctive that we love.
Bad Day is focused on the community around creativity. You also combine a variety of disciplines in the same conversation. What's the benefit of cross-pollinating these generally separated topics?
I think the idea of being “creative” goes in a many different directions—and that’s good for a magazine. For us, seeing the ties that bind across a variety of disciplines can be exciting, whether it’s an 80 year-old Italian furniture designer, a mid-career filmmaker in California, or an upcoming fine artist working in Bushwick. For me, working in advertising during the day, I look to different aspects of commerce and culture to help what I do, and I think that’s the same for independent artists, musicians and writers. As I think these categories are becoming increasingly fluid.
What's been your proudest moment during all of this?
The cheesy answer is that I'm proud any time I see the magazine on a newsstand. Even more so is when it's a surprise—like an unexpected bodega downtown, or when someone texts me that they saw it at an airport in Sweden. It's at the point now where the magazine has taken on a life of its own, and that’s the most satisfying for me.
What was it like having Kim Gordon in the most recent issue? (That's amazing!)
Thank you! I think it was a dream come true for us. Kim Gordon was always someone on our ultimate “wish list" for as long as we’ve been making the magazine—and I think the timing couldn't be better. She has really “re-emerged” this year.
How did your collaboration with Levi’s Made & Crafted come together?
It was an awesome experience to work with Levi’s Made & Crafted. We teamed up to make a custom “Bad Day” look book for them to promote their collection for Autumn / Winter 2015. They wanted a loose “punk” theme to coincide with their inspiration for the season, which was fun to play around with. Personally, with the agency work I’ve done, it was cool for us to produce our first print ad campaign, which is an extension of one of the fashion stories in the issue.
How do you see Bad Day evolving in the future?
Great question. We’ve been so focused on fulfilling our goals with the print magazine. And we’ve really deliberately kept our digital presence to a minimum over the years, just so we can make sure we’re giving the print project the most of our attention. I think if we evolved, we would approach more digitally-based projects from a different point of view—as opposed to just producing written content online. I think video is an area I can see us doing more.
As a publisher of an arts and culture magazine, you must have your finger on the pulse of a lot of cool scenes. What are you most into these days in terms of music, film, television, books, visual arts?
As far as print magazines, I am excited about the latest issues of WAX, as well as the debut issue of Talk Magazine. I’m reading novels by James Salter for the rest of the summer. I just stream whatever is popular on Soundcloud. Some visual artists I’m interested in right now, or actually, most of the time, include: Sara Cwynar, Yto Barrada, Leanne Shapton, Laura Owens, and Linus Bill.
What are the venues, theaters, and museums you most frequent in New York?
My favorite venues in New York City for art and print culture include Printed Matter, Picture Room, and Karma. As far as theaters, probably The Kitchen.
Any helpful tips for freelance creatives?
Be persistent, and as polite as possible. I can be quite shy, and really, the best thing to do as a creative is to curb that tendency as much as possible.
Who are some other WNW members whose work you admire?
I always love the art direction of Elizabeth Dilk and Ashley Jones. I'm blown away by the scope of projects that Mary Dauterman has done. I recently worked with Steve Caputo, whose work I really admire.
Anything else you’d like to add that we haven’t asked?
Thank you for having me!
Are you a WNW Member with new work, exhibits, products, or news to share? Email us!
PROFILES OF THE WEEK: AUGUST 17TH
PROFILES OF THE WEEK: AUGUST 17TH
The Top Profiles of this week are from brand new members who just joined us last week. We wanted to throw some love to these additions to our community as their work (not to mention their mini-books!) are taking WNW to the next level. They may be WNW rookies, but they can teach us all a thing or two.
Yulia Ruditskaya, Animator. New York.
Kruella d'Enfer, Illustrator. Lisboa.
Rob Engvall, Designer. New York.
Tomer Lerner, UX/IA Designer. Tel Aviv-Yafo.
Kris Wong, Art Director. Brooklyn.
Emilie Talermo, Producer. Los Angeles.
Scott Kosman, Creative Technologist. Amsterdam.
Danger Bea, Copywriter. Los Angeles.
Are you a WNW Member with new work, exhibits, products, or news to share? Email us!
Image by WNW Member #2782 Shane Griffin
MIXTAPE: IN THE MOOD...TO GET CREATIVE
MIXTAPE: IN THE MOOD...
TO GET CREATIVE
WNW members often generate their most stunning work by getting into a creative rhythm, at the most random hours of the day. Naturally, many of them accomplish this through music. WNW HQ has put together a mixtape built by a group of WNW members who each picked a song that fuels their creativity. Give this a spin, wherever you are; it just might help you finish off the week strong, with a cymbal crash, trumpet solo, or even a groovy falsetto. It's all here.
Eventually - Tame Impala (Shane Griffin)
Let's Dance - David Bowie (Pawel Nolbert)
La Chanson De Prévert - Serge Gainsbourg (Etan Nechin)
Where is My Mind - Maxence Cyrin (Caitlin Guendelsberger)
Prelude No 1 in C Major - Bach (Jess Price)
Easy - Son Lux (Amelia Stier)
Satori Pt 2 - Flower Travelin Band (Cun Shi)
Bamboleo - Gipsey Kings (Marta Yarza)
Flamenco Sketches (Alternate Take) - Miles Davis (Thierno Bah)
Divino Maravilhoso - Gal Costa (Felipe Rocha)
Are you a WNW Member who wants to share your creative theme song? Email us.
Design In Unusual Places: The Taxi Fabric Project
Design In Unusual Places: The Taxi Fabric Project
Imagine stepping into a taxi and being transported to another world. WNW Member #5027 Sanket Alvani has done just that. He created an initiative that gives designers a platform to tell the stories of their cities through the unusual medium of... taxis. Because the perception of design as a profession is rather marginalized in India, Sanket was eager to demonstrate the impact it can have. A former engineering student, Sanket took the courageous step to pursue a path undefined, and finding his way as a designer in Mumbai opened his eyes to the opportunity to elevate it.
What started as a simple blog is now a full-fledged platform for designers in Mumbai to showcase their work on a taxi seat cover. Although a lot of attention is given to each taxi by its driver, to make it stand out from competitors, very little thought is given to the fabric used on the seats. The designs that cover the taxi seats are often dull and forgettable.
Sanket told us, “We put two and two together and started connecting designers with taxi drivers - turning seat covers into canvasses for young Indian designers to show off their design talent and storytelling skills. Each taxi is fitted with an identity label which tells anyone who rides in the taxi the designer behind the Taxi Fabric, the story of the design, and also how to get in contact with them for collaborations or commissions." The project was featured as a Kickstarter Staff Pick and exceeded Sanket’s fundraising goal. Excited to see how it grows and where Sanket takes it next!
What's your background?
I studied engineering and happened to learn design on my own. Software and computers were new and almost like a trend at the time so I began to teach myself. While studying engineering, I started freelancing as a designer. Post engineering school, I went to a communications college and switched to advertising. I spent about four years in Mumbai as an Art Director and am now at Wieden + Kennedy in a more design/art direction role.
What did your parents think when you didn’t pursue engineering?
No one has ever asked me that! [Laughs.] They didn’t really understand... not sure if they do now.
It's very Indian to have a safe profession. I’m not sure I was fully aware of what I was doing then, to be honest. They always backed me up in what I wanted to do, and that is the only reason they were okay. They thought I would probably learn from my own mistakes.
I’m still deeply interested in technology, it’s just not what I thought engineering would be. It was a lot to do with information technology. I don’t think I was really interested in the theoretical. Art was always my hobby. It was more of a mistake to take engineering but better late than never.
How did you get the idea for The Taxi Fabric Project?
I started a blog taking pictures of the covers. It was a basic instinct as a designer and then started to evolve and develop over time.
What is most meaningful to you about this project?
The conversations I had early on with these taxi drivers. I realized that nobody is actually having a conversation with them about the seat covers that are being supplied to them. It meant that they weren’t really made for them, it was just passed on. When I engaged the drivers, they suggested what they would like. It was so simple and so ripe for designers to have that conversation. The full dialogue that has now started to happen with the designers and the cab drivers has been really interesting for us. I keep talking to the drivers and find the way they give feedback really interesting.
How is their feedback versus say, a client's?
Way happier! The feedback is plain, it’s simple. It’s just how they feel about it and that’s it. They don’t get into the details. It’s just how they feel.
What's been the most challenging thing about this project?
The durability and functionality of the fabric; keeping it clean, mending it. We have a six month expiration date for the fabrics though we're working to improve that. All of us are working on this as a side project but our producer gives a lot of her time since she’s the one actually in Mumbai.
Any favorite designs?
The beauty is that they are all different and that each designer brings something new and fresh. No favorite but we tend to be surprised every time we collaborate. You don’t expect designs to speak to you in that sort of environment but they do.
What advice can you can give to other members considering crowdfunding?
It’s really hard. The idea that you can simply put it on Kickstarter and it will get funded is absolutely destroyed in my head. That’s really not how it works. You have to push it outside of Kickstarter. When and if people start talking about it, that’s how you get it. One thing I want to mention is about the guidelines from Kickstarter: they give a lot of guidance on how to maintain a clean campaign. If you follow it, it helps a lot. Instead of listening to just anyone’s experience, listen to Kickstarter.
What's next for you?
A lot of people have asked where else I’m bringing this. I have that in my mind - I think it could work anywhere! Though the purpose of doing it in Mumbai would be different, I think it could work in London or New York.
Are you a WNW Member with new work, exhibits, products, or news to share? Email us!
MEET #7716 VANESSA MCKEOWN
MEET #7716 VANESSA MCKEOWN
Illustrator • London, UK
WNW Member #7716 Vanessa Mckeown is a newborn freelancer, having just left Fallon last week. The London-based art director/photographer divulges some delicious insights into her ongoing series playing with food, and reveals some of her pop culture influences.
Vanessa also shares advice she'd give to her high school self: "If you're moving into the art/design world, grades aren’t important. It’s the work that counts. Do what you love and everything will have a way of working itself out."
Also, sprinkles make her happy.
How long have you been freelancing?
I just started this week! I was working full-time at Fallon last week.
Is there a time or place that you feel most creative or have the best ideas?
It’s always when you least expect it. Like when you’re on the loo or when you're falling asleep. Basically when you can’t write it down!
What's your ideal Working:Not Working ratio?
I take it as it comes so it’s always changing.
Do your parents understand what you do?
I don’t think so, they are very old school.
What scene from a movie makes you laugh just thinking about it?
It’s not a movie but Snuff Box makes me laugh so much. Especially these scenes.
If you were stranded on a desert island, with your computer, what three websites would you take with you?
Youtube - For entertainment
Google - It has all the answers
Tumblr - Keep my blog updated :)
What do you do when Not Working?
I usually work on my own stuff and try new things out. If I’m not doing that I usually go running, or watch repeats of The O.C.
Do you have a hidden talent?
Getting really good cheap holidays. I get really obsessed and search the whole Internet. So I guess I could be a very talented travel agent…
Any tips or advice for fellow freelancers?
Meet lots of people!
What's your favorite thing on the Internet this week?
I love this Instagram - it really makes me laugh
Any WNW members whose work you admire?
I love Aleksandra Kingo's work.
Where did the inspiration to work with food come from?
I think it comes from it being so visually appealing and I guess I tend to go towards what I think looks pleasing. I love strawberries and bananas.
Any favorite pieces of yours?
I liked the Good Gone Bad mushroom where it looks like a sprinkled doughnut. Sprinkles make me very happy.
Jessica Walsh posted one of your pieces on her Instagram recently. Did you know her before?
I’ve always been a fan of Stefan Sagmeister since art school, and I love their work together. I came across it by mistake and when I saw it, I had a celebratory cup of tea and cake at 10pm. Ha!
It made me really happy that someone I admire would like my work. It’s cool how she posts other people’s work. More people need to share the love : )
Bonus round time!
What did you want to be when you grew up?
A lawyer. I thought I was really good at arguing. I’m not any more!
Two truths and a lie:
1. Once I made gingerbread house that was A3 sized.
2. I accidentally used eyelash glue in the shower.
3. I’ve got a cat called Yoghurt.
Last things you Googled:
1. Daily Mail (don’t judge me! )
2. Tumblr
3. Tesco Groceries
What’s in your bag right now?
Moisturizer, two hard drives, a t-shirt, keys, tea bags, USB sticks, and hair grips.
Top pop culture influences growing up:
The Simpsons, Fresh Prince, Friends.
Cities you’ve lived in, summed up in one word:
I’m from Wolverhampton, summed up in one word would be "sketchy."
Dream place you’d like to move:
I would love to move to California! I love San Francisco and Palm Springs.
Current music obsession: what do you have on repeat?
Death Cab for Cutie! Reminding me of being 17 again : )
Best social networking site:
I love Instagram
Favorite quote:
I love Steve Jobs quotes :D
“Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.” I love this one. It’s a bit extreme but I think it’s important when showing work. It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks because one day we won’t be here so you might as well just go for it.
And this one Alain de Botton wrote: “Anyone who isn’t embarrassed of who they were last year probably isn’t learning enough.” I'm happy to say I'm very embarrassed of who I was last year.
You gotta love quotes.
Advice you would give to your high school self?
If you're moving into the art/design world, grades aren’t important. It’s the work that counts. Do what you love and everything will have a way of working itself out.
Anything else you'd like to add that we haven't asked?
Everyone should read Show Your Work! a book by Austin Kleon. It’s life-changing.
Are you a WNW Member with new work, exhibits, products, or news to share? Email us.
EATING NOT EATING: JULIANA'S PIZZA
EATING NOT EATING: JULIANA'S PIZZA
WNW Member #2245 Lauren Hom, the brilliant mind behind Will Letter for Lunch, reveals her most recent chalkboard magic trick. She shares her artistry, and delicious food appears on the table. This time around, it's mouth-watering pies from Juliana's Pizza in Dumbo. Below, Lauren will effortlessly convince you that you need to make a trip to Juliana's.
I scream, you scream, we all scream for PIZZA! The day I received the email from Juliana’s asking me to letter for pizza was the best day of my life. Owned and operated by the original couple behind Grimaldi’s, Juliana’s is a charming Italian restaurant serving up coal-fired pizzas underneath the Brooklyn Bridge in Dumbo. It’s named after owner Patsy’s mother too. Adorable AND delicious? Sign me up.
Since I did a bit more lettering than the typical Letter for Lunch project, I was able to treat seven of my closest friends to a pizza party! We inhaled 4 speciality pizzas and lots of wine over the course of a Sunday afternoon. The No. 1 with mozzarella, scamorza affumicata, pancetta, scallions and Oregon-grown white truffles in olive oil was a rich and salty start to our meal, followed by the very classic No. 2 with cherry tomato, Bufala mozzarella, garlic and sea salt. Next came the No. 3 with mozzarella, sausage, broccoli rabe and garlic, which we all loaded up with red pepper flakes to add an extra kick to an already savory bite. We finished the meal with the No. 4 with tomato, mozzarella, peppery arugula and prosciutto.
Toppings aside, the dough was what really stole the show. I’m one of those annoying people who usually doesn’t eat the crust of a slice of pizza, so when I feel compelled to finish the crust that’s when I know it’s really good pizza. GUYS, I ATE ALL OF THE CRUST. For anyone thinking about going to Grimaldi’s or recommending it to a friend from out of town, I’d strongly suggest sending them to Juliana’s instead. The decor is nicer, the line is shorter, and it’s the original Grimaldi’s pizza recipe. Spread the word and have a pizza party of your own!
Juliana's Pizza: 19 Old Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 (11:30 am - 11:00 pm)