Wilbert From Home

While we’re working from home, it’s easy to disconnect from who we’re working with. So, we’re firing up Slack and catching up with Wilbert team members as they serve their clients remotely. Welcome to Wilbert From Home.

Lea Friedman is a Creative Director who brings joyous empathy and passionate design expertise to clients like Colony Square, OAK, Riverton, Revel, and High Street. Lea’s as competent and inventive as they come, whether it be graphic design, home office renovation, or mixology. PSA: her name is pronounced “Lee” not “Le-uh”, but she won’t get mad if you mess it up.

Caroline Morgan

We've been working remotely for a while now, have you picked up any "best practices" for working from home?

Lea Friedman

I’ve actually worked from home a lot in the past, so this wasn’t new for me. What was new, was having everyone at home with me! There’s nothing like having my college age son running behind me in his underwear on Zoom calls.

:joy:

In terms of best practices I guess it's been more of starting the official work day by actually getting dressed and wearing makeup! Trying to make it as structured as possible.

CM

Ha! Have you picked up any hobbies or habits in the past months since working from home started?

LF

It's hard not to become obsessed with your home when you spend so much time here. I’m a DIY girl and took the opportunity to repurpose our tiny dining room—which we never used—into a functioning home office. So after lots of plaster repair, a couple of coats of paint, and a new furniture layout we have an office that truly works. It struck me that one of the biggest design considerations in home office design today is what your Zoom background looks like!

CM

That's so cool, I hadn't thought about the future of home design in regards to Zoom backgrounds!

So we heard you are quite the mixologist? Have you come up with any new favorite recipes while being stuck at home?

LF

I’ve discovered a rosé margarita is quite a worthy concoction, but in this summer heat it’s been all about rum punch. Rum punch is a state of mind. Toes in the sand...Bob Marley in the background...Passion fruit juice is key.

CM

Oh yeah, those Bob Marley vibes are key! You mentioned that you have an affinity for multiple genres of music… So what did you think of Lil Nas X’s collaboration with DaBaby on “Panini”?

LF

I’m all about it... but lately I’ve been more on a girl band path. Old school Mazzy Star and I’m a total Swiftie. I’ve had Folklore on repeat. I told you I was all over the place!

CM

As you know, we give out “Gratitude Stickers” to people on our staff we were thankful for that week. Is there a “Gratitude Sticker” which someone gave to you and has stuck out to you? Or maybe one that you’ve given to someone else?

LF

It was great to get a gratitude sticker for helping to ease someone else's load. And I love to give those out to others as well. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed right now, and knowing that you are on a team where you have each other’s back is great.:heart:

CM

That’s great. It does always feel nice to know someone intentionally has your back!

Is there a win that you've been a part of for a client this year that has stuck out to you?

LF

The biggest client win this year was our Be the Shield campaign for ZVerse. In such a year of uncertainty, it’s been amazing to work for a client that can actually make a difference during the pandemic. Millions of health face shields have been produced and shipped to hospitals and organizations including the Veterans Administration. And we were also able to help ZVerse with naming and branding as they continued the innovation with ZShield—a neck mounted face shield that is helping people return to everyday life.

CM

Last question, which we like to ask everyone: What is the best question you’ve ever been asked?

LF

Not sure about best so I'll give you the worst... I totally get triggered by the question about music. I feel like it’s an “are you cool” test. I’m not, I’m a total dork. I was in the high school band after all. :sunglasses:

CM

I completely agree, that is my least favorite question ever!

That’s all the questions we have for you Lea! Thanks for hopping on Wilbert From Home with us!

LF

Thanks guys!