Of all the tours, meetings, and events happening next week, I am most interested to discover how creatives within the industry operate on a daily basis. I have never had the privilege of stepping inside an acclaimed advertising or media production agency, and it’s safe to say that my expectations of what they will look like does not reflect the reality of these spaces. Most of what I know about creative agencies comes from little word of mouth details from my friends and peers. Whatever gaps they leave in my knowledge, I’m forced to fill with images I’ve encountered on various media platforms. For some reason, my mind keeps going back to an episode of Portlandia in which the main characters tour the Portland branch of Wieden + Kennedy. While I don’t expect every New York agency to convey that level of eccentricity (e.g. a giant bird’s nest), I am hoping that they all have their own unique, colorful, engaging ways to promote a positive and innovative work environment. 

Obviously I could research the interiors of the agencies I am scheduled to visit, but I think going into the trip without a clear picture will be an interesting experiment. I am interested to see whether the agencies meet, surpass, or alter my current definition of a creative work space.

- - - Olivia Dozois - May 3rd - - -