Hey there! My name is Alissa. I’m a writer, a gelato-eater, and a walker in LA.
You can learn more about who I am, what I write, why I walk, and even see where I live and work. In 2010 I was honored to be named as an USC/Annenberg Getty Arts Journalism fellow. You also might like this talk I gave about how to do the work you love.
How to get in touch
Follow me at @gelatobaby
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Click on some recent posts
Read my articles elsewhere
I regularly write about design, architecture, cities, transportation and walking for several publications. You can read my latest stories here, or clicking on the publication will take you to all my articles for that publication. You can also read my favorite stories from 2011 and 2010.
- Dwell: Self Preservation
How a pair of intrepid Angelenos restored Rudolph Schindler’s iconic Bubeshko Apartments. - Fast Company: Mad for Madison
Why tech startups—and the people who run them—are crazy for the Wisconsin capital. - LA Weekly: Flattened L.A.
Can a penny-pressing machine by Diane Meyer save Los Angeles architecture? - Wired: XOXO Loves Tech
A new Portland conference launches and breaks all the records—and the rules. - GOOD: Car-free Freedom
Does surrendering your automobile in L.A. make you feel helpless or more independent? - KCET Food: Kickstarting Restaurants
Some of L.A.'s most popular food experiences are being funded by people just like you. - Designers and Books: Summer Reading
Four design books for poolside reading that are light but not fluffy.
- Dwell: Self Preservation
View my photos
Check out our next de LaB
- Design East of La Brea is a monthly design event I co-host with Haily Zaki, Marissa Gluck and Erin Cullerton. Almost always east of La Brea. Learn more about past de Labs and sign up for our monthly newsletter.
Category Archives: watching
Sound City, USA
A long time ago I had another life working at a production house where I made some of the very best friends I’ll ever make (and threw some of the wildest parties I’ll never remember). Many of those people have … Continue reading
Posted in creating, watching
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The Super American Sport Score Zone Room
While you were sitting down, drinking beer, mainlining guacamole last Sunday, a pair of artists were feverishly interpreting the Super Bowl in real time at an undisclosed location (okay, Eagle Rock). Brian Rea and Keith Scharwath documented the scores, the … Continue reading
Posted in crafting, creating, watching
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I found a new toy
Palms three ways. vine.co/v/bJvB39Lexte — Alissa Walker (@gelatobaby) January 28, 2013 Walking will never be the same. Follow me on Vine.
Posted in Street Walker, watching
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When I found out JJ Abrams was directing Star Wars
Search your feelings, you know it to be true. I have nothing against J.J. Abrams—I loved LOST right up until the last episode, and I even really liked his reboot of Star Trek. Actually I would have been all for … Continue reading
Posted in watching
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The original LA street view
Before Google’s camera-cars crawled our streets like a fleet of curious robots, photographers used their two feet to capture what our cities looked like. And today I discovered a new one, William Reagh, in a story by the always-excellent KCET … Continue reading
Posted in building, watching
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Watching Huell, Reading Ada
Yesterday, we found out that we lost both Huell Howser, ebullient television personality and tireless booster of Los Angeles, and Ada Louise Huxtable, pioneering architecture critic and stalwart champion of great buildings. Howser died Sunday and Huxtable Monday, but the news of … Continue reading
Listening to Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a noisy place. But have you ever stopped and listened to it, picking apart all the sounds that create this perpetual cacophony we call home? Right now, just sitting at my desk, I hear birds, rain (yes, … Continue reading
Posted in building, creating, designing, watching
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Ice Cube loves LA, bitch
I once thought of myself as a special kind of cheerleader for Los Angeles, an eloquent advocate for its evasive beauty. I tried to give a voice to LA’s unique brand of urbanism. But now I don’t have to anymore. I’m … Continue reading
Posted in advertising, creating, designing, watching
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Good morning, Moon
I haven’t managed to catch it at night, but the full moon has been perfectly positioned out my window the last few mornings as I’ve started work. I like how it’s hovering above the telephone lines like a musical note. … Continue reading
Posted in watching
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