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
-
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: DnA
KCRW reporters have great names, too
Earlier this week I read a story that you might have seen as well: Why NPR (and PRI and American Public Media) reporters have such great names like Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson, Renee Montagne, Ira Glass, Chana Joffe-Walt, Dina Temple-Raston, Guy Raz, Kai Ryssdal, Lourdes Garcia-Navarro, Neda … Continue reading
Posted in DnA, reading
4 Comments
Designing a “better” gun
As one of my favorite gigs, I work with Frances Anderton on the KCRW show “DnA: Design and Architecture,” which looks at current affairs and cultural issues through the lens of design. This week we produced a show that I’m … Continue reading
Posted in creating, designing, DnA
Leave a comment
On Today’s DnA: Gap Flap
Who would have ever thought, one month ago, that we would all be talking about the Gap? I certainly didn’t (and yes, I still call it THE Gap, as does everyone else, even though it’s officially just Gap). I haven’t … Continue reading
Posted in advertising, designing, DnA
Leave a comment
On Today’s DnA: Design books!
It was a great year for design books (especially a certain architectural walking tours guide that would make a great last-minute stocking stuffer)! A bunch of my favorite design writers published books that go far beyond the typical pretty picture … Continue reading
On Today’s DnA: Billboard blight
Besides having Sir James Dyson on today’s show, whose super-sucky products I have always patronized—from my pink vacuum cleaner to the only hand dryer I have ever taken a photo of (I seriously dried my hands three times)—a highlight has … Continue reading
Posted in advertising, building, DnA, eating, traveling
2 Comments
On Today’s DnA: Relevance vs. Extravagance
Tomorrow is, symbolically at least, an interesting day. For those of us who have working credit cards and travel budgets, it’s the launch of the Milan furniture fair. And of course for the rest of us, it’s Earth Day. With … Continue reading
Posted in building, designing, DnA, Fast Company, greening
Leave a comment
On Today’s DnA: Back to the handmade, and hand-crafted poetry by me!
As I hit the skies for what is potentially going to be the most painful travel day of my life, a quick post to remind you to listen to a special holiday and year-end episode of DnA today at 2:30pm … Continue reading
On Today’s DnA: Shepard Fairey, Robbie Conal and the Gamble House
Much ado has been made about Shepard Fairey and his Obama propaganda game-changer (check out this incredible site with all the parodies of his “Hope” poster, thanks to Spencer). But before there was Shepard—literally, before he was even born—there was … Continue reading
Posted in advertising, building, crafting, creating, designing, DnA
Leave a comment
