6:59pm (@home)
Here are just a few pics from around the agency...
Friday, October 9, 2009
Take a Look Around Why Doncha'?
10.09.09
6:59pm (@home)
Here are just a few pics from around the agency...
6:59pm (@home)
Here are just a few pics from around the agency...
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
The Rain in Amsterdam Falls Mainly on the [Leides]Plein
10.07.09
11:41pm (@home)
Everyone told me upon moving to Amsterdam I would need two things: a bong and a raincoat. Needless to say, I have neither, but definitely need one of them and especially over these past few days. A raincoat, that is. It's been raining this week without much respite, fluctuating from a spitting mist to a heavy rain. A far cry from the blinding sunshine of Miami Beach, I'll tell you that much, but a welcome change. And believe it or not, it doesn't really distract from the charm and the warmth of the city itself. I don't think Amsterdam would be Amsterdam without this weather. It's a very wet place in general - the rain...the canals...the beer.
Pindakaas has been good - working on our own projects during the day (thus far) and then class at night. Alvaro Sotomayor, a ECD at Wieden+Kennedy, will be the teacher of our Tuesday night class. Great guy, had quick introductions, threw us a few morsels of feedback each, handed us our first brief (which I'm sure I will write about later), then took us to a new "American" bar a few blocks away. American bar meaning that they serve only American beer. It was funny to see Anchor Steam and Flying Dog on tap at a Dutch bar in the middle of Amsterdam. Was nice to kick back with the crew and discuss with everyone where we had been in the world... Much to learn from my international peers but I'd imagine our full work days together at Pindakaas will allow that naturally.
Came home late last night to the end of the David Gray concert at the Melkweg directly across the street. P and I were hoping we'd hear a few riffs of "Babylon" or something of the sort, but with no such luck. You can always tell when there is a concert or a happening at the Melkweg when you find hundreds of bicycles abandoned on the sidewalk/street. The noise level off the street follows suit with the concerts as well: from a few distant voices in the Leidesplein to a chatty crowd of smokers at a break in the show to an overpowering cacophony of concertgoers, swooning over the performer following the event. And, as has been the past few nights, my sleep follows that pattern as well. :) [[reminds me of living in my 58th street apt with flora in new york - the noise from the large crowds of concertgoers here miiiiight just equal that of the queensboro bridge traffic]] Either way, im cool with it and it actually lessens any feelings of loneliness i might have here...
Another long day at the agency today then class afterward. Two teachers from RIOT agency - Nathan, an Executive Creative Director there, and Todd, a Creative Director. Two down to earth guys that seem to have a good grasp on the digital landscape in the industry. We will be working on one main brief for their class over the quarter (which is great, much more time to develop and polish). More on that brief later as well.
Set a goal for myself to win a pencil (D&AD) this year. It's possible. With hard work, it is possible.
Barefoot to bed and into my cocoon.
11:41pm (@home)
Everyone told me upon moving to Amsterdam I would need two things: a bong and a raincoat. Needless to say, I have neither, but definitely need one of them and especially over these past few days. A raincoat, that is. It's been raining this week without much respite, fluctuating from a spitting mist to a heavy rain. A far cry from the blinding sunshine of Miami Beach, I'll tell you that much, but a welcome change. And believe it or not, it doesn't really distract from the charm and the warmth of the city itself. I don't think Amsterdam would be Amsterdam without this weather. It's a very wet place in general - the rain...the canals...the beer.
Pindakaas has been good - working on our own projects during the day (thus far) and then class at night. Alvaro Sotomayor, a ECD at Wieden+Kennedy, will be the teacher of our Tuesday night class. Great guy, had quick introductions, threw us a few morsels of feedback each, handed us our first brief (which I'm sure I will write about later), then took us to a new "American" bar a few blocks away. American bar meaning that they serve only American beer. It was funny to see Anchor Steam and Flying Dog on tap at a Dutch bar in the middle of Amsterdam. Was nice to kick back with the crew and discuss with everyone where we had been in the world... Much to learn from my international peers but I'd imagine our full work days together at Pindakaas will allow that naturally.
Came home late last night to the end of the David Gray concert at the Melkweg directly across the street. P and I were hoping we'd hear a few riffs of "Babylon" or something of the sort, but with no such luck. You can always tell when there is a concert or a happening at the Melkweg when you find hundreds of bicycles abandoned on the sidewalk/street. The noise level off the street follows suit with the concerts as well: from a few distant voices in the Leidesplein to a chatty crowd of smokers at a break in the show to an overpowering cacophony of concertgoers, swooning over the performer following the event. And, as has been the past few nights, my sleep follows that pattern as well. :) [[reminds me of living in my 58th street apt with flora in new york - the noise from the large crowds of concertgoers here miiiiight just equal that of the queensboro bridge traffic]] Either way, im cool with it and it actually lessens any feelings of loneliness i might have here...
Another long day at the agency today then class afterward. Two teachers from RIOT agency - Nathan, an Executive Creative Director there, and Todd, a Creative Director. Two down to earth guys that seem to have a good grasp on the digital landscape in the industry. We will be working on one main brief for their class over the quarter (which is great, much more time to develop and polish). More on that brief later as well.
Set a goal for myself to win a pencil (D&AD) this year. It's possible. With hard work, it is possible.
Barefoot to bed and into my cocoon.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Top Dog
10.06.09
2:03pm (@agency)
Laid down to sleep last night around 1:25am which was late enough only to be woken up by my Dutch phone ringing. Low and behold we received news from Miami that we were crowned Miami Ad School Top Dog for this past quarter. [[Top Dog is the highest award given by Miami Ad School students with the best work each quarter]]. So amazingly excited about about it and proud of ourselves. Congrats to my team partners, Alicia Benz and Michelle Pokorny. We set out to win in the beginning of the quarter, put our nose to the grindstone, and achieved. The link to our presentation is below:
Crunch Gym "Find Your Shape"
Complete motivation for this new quarter and time here in Amsterdam. Go time.
2:03pm (@agency)
Laid down to sleep last night around 1:25am which was late enough only to be woken up by my Dutch phone ringing. Low and behold we received news from Miami that we were crowned Miami Ad School Top Dog for this past quarter. [[Top Dog is the highest award given by Miami Ad School students with the best work each quarter]]. So amazingly excited about about it and proud of ourselves. Congrats to my team partners, Alicia Benz and Michelle Pokorny. We set out to win in the beginning of the quarter, put our nose to the grindstone, and achieved. The link to our presentation is below:
Crunch Gym "Find Your Shape"
Complete motivation for this new quarter and time here in Amsterdam. Go time.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Crunchy or creamy? Pindakaas!
10.05.09
11:56pm
Started our MAS Quarter Away today at Bureau Pindakaas ad agency. The agency itself sits right on the Herengracht, one of the three original canals city-planned back in the day. The foyer is grand, with red carpet and white marble, a tall red street clock sits juxtaposed on the staircase and stained glass offers an added element to it all.
Gathered in the photo studio upstairs and acquainted ourselves. All did our informal introductions and surveyed our new digs. Joanna, our point person at Pindakaas, started the session introducing herself then going around the room (in true MAS fashion) and introducing ourselves. There are twelve greenhouse students and five porfolio students - totaling 17, a large group. Mix of characters seemed great, with students from Miami, Belgium, Spain, Canada, Germany, Brazil...
Then, entered Peggy, the director of our program and of Pindakaas. Complete with a tight scarf around her neck and a sheath skirt, she commanded the room's attention and proceeded with her own introductions. She then sat and talked to us for a bit - lent some of her feelings about the industry and where it is headed. Emphasized the importance of having our portfolio speak out and distinguish itself from others. Went on to discuss a recent business transaction in New York, describing it as a "third world country" in the way business is conducted there. I couldnt help but wince at that one inside - I just never heard anyone refer to Manhattan as a Third World Country in such a non-chalant way. What was I in for? :P
After some other formalities (mugshots, tour of the agency), we were set free for the day, being told carefully to enjoy it while we can. Grabbed some sandwiches with the crew, scuffled around the city doing some essential shopping (shampoo,etc) and then went on to see Michelle and Alicia's hacienda, then Simon and Scott's. Both of which were great and special in their own ways. A&M's place is in a 300+ year old building right in the city centrum while S&S's place sits in an attic loft with exposed beams and a loftspace.
Tired and sick of the spitting rain so headed back to finally finally unpack my clothes. Feel much better going to sleep tonight knowing I won't have to pick and pull through my suitcases tomorrow morning. Back at the agency bright and early to dig into things.
New clean comforter on my bed. Heavy eyelids. Sleep soon.
11:56pm
Started our MAS Quarter Away today at Bureau Pindakaas ad agency. The agency itself sits right on the Herengracht, one of the three original canals city-planned back in the day. The foyer is grand, with red carpet and white marble, a tall red street clock sits juxtaposed on the staircase and stained glass offers an added element to it all.
Gathered in the photo studio upstairs and acquainted ourselves. All did our informal introductions and surveyed our new digs. Joanna, our point person at Pindakaas, started the session introducing herself then going around the room (in true MAS fashion) and introducing ourselves. There are twelve greenhouse students and five porfolio students - totaling 17, a large group. Mix of characters seemed great, with students from Miami, Belgium, Spain, Canada, Germany, Brazil...
Then, entered Peggy, the director of our program and of Pindakaas. Complete with a tight scarf around her neck and a sheath skirt, she commanded the room's attention and proceeded with her own introductions. She then sat and talked to us for a bit - lent some of her feelings about the industry and where it is headed. Emphasized the importance of having our portfolio speak out and distinguish itself from others. Went on to discuss a recent business transaction in New York, describing it as a "third world country" in the way business is conducted there. I couldnt help but wince at that one inside - I just never heard anyone refer to Manhattan as a Third World Country in such a non-chalant way. What was I in for? :P
After some other formalities (mugshots, tour of the agency), we were set free for the day, being told carefully to enjoy it while we can. Grabbed some sandwiches with the crew, scuffled around the city doing some essential shopping (shampoo,etc) and then went on to see Michelle and Alicia's hacienda, then Simon and Scott's. Both of which were great and special in their own ways. A&M's place is in a 300+ year old building right in the city centrum while S&S's place sits in an attic loft with exposed beams and a loftspace.
Tired and sick of the spitting rain so headed back to finally finally unpack my clothes. Feel much better going to sleep tonight knowing I won't have to pick and pull through my suitcases tomorrow morning. Back at the agency bright and early to dig into things.
New clean comforter on my bed. Heavy eyelids. Sleep soon.
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