OUR STORY SO FAR...
1992
James Nesbitt drives from Boston to Bernard Uy's Pittsburgh apartment in roofless, cow-painted Volvo. The W|W partnership is formed and search for office space begins.
1993
W|W builds portfolio base consisting of friends, family and pro-bono clients. W|W hires accountant, purchases second computer and first external hard drive. Search continues for office space. W|W m
isses all design competition call-for-entry deadlines.
1994
An entire can of Pepsi empties on hard drive destroying all client and financial data. Incident later to be known internally as "The Pepsi Syndrome." Wins 4 AIGA Awards.
1995
W|W moves into new office in reclaimed Strip District warehouse building. Doubles staff by hiring 2 full-time designers. Wins 9 AIGA Awards, work appears in Print Regional Design Annual. Partners help to launch non-profit organization PUMP (Pittsburgh Urban Magnet Project).
1996
W|W launches first version of website. Opens art gallery showcasing a broad range of work including: "Art You Can Eat," "Stool Samples" and a very long, three-hour production of "Waiting for Godot." Wins 9 AIGA Awards and first 3 Addy Awards.
1997
W|W Gallery closes and expands as office space. W|W writes, directs, edits and stars in first 30-second client television spot. Wins 15 AIGA Awards and 7 Addy Awards.
1998
A W|W pro-bono project sparks heated discussion on local radio talk show. Wins 7 AIGA Awards, 2 Addy Awards, 2 Achievement in Radio Awards, 10 Graphic Design:USA Awards, 1 National Brand Design Association Gold Award.
1999
W|W installs first office disco ball. Staff doubles to 8 people. Wins 10 AIGA Awards, 3 How Magazine International Design Awards, 1 Addy Award.
2000
After years of intensive, hands-on research, lands first beer client. Search for bigger office space begins. Bernard Uy and James Nesbitt named to Pittsburgh Magazine's "40 under 40" list of influential Pittsburghers. Wins 12 AIGA Awards. Work is recognized in Print Magazine.
2001
Design our first bobble-head doll as a promotion for high-tech client (which soon trades on eBay for over $250). Wins 21 AIGA Awards and wins awards in Print Magazine.
2002
Becomes fully Y2K compliant. After a citywide, 2-year search, office moves to second floor of same Strip District warehouse building. Installs second disco ball. Celebrates first ten years of not going out of business. Brian Kaiser is promoted to Partner at the firm.
2003
Wins 27 of 100 AIGA PITTSBURGH SHOW Awards. In honor of their 11th Anniversary, W|W remodels the studio space and introduces the W|W Bar. Happy hours are back en vogue, Guinness on tap, Fridays. Call (412) 232-0880 for reservations.
2004
Wins 3 ADDY Awards and 27 of 100 AIGA PITTSBURGH SHOW Awards. Larkin Werner is promoted to Partner at the firm. Launches version 4.2 of our website.
2005
W|W launches its new Honolulu office (and the 2nd W|W Bar) in the Culture and Arts District near Chinatown. The second Disco Ball is installed. Pau Hana on First Fridays. Call (808) 566-0880 for the secret password. Or just visit www.wwffhh.com
2006
The Honolulu team surprises the Pittsburgh staff by party-crashing the Holiday festivities, dressed in full Santa-with-beard costumes. And there was much rejoicing. And bowling.
2007
W|W celebrates its 15th anniversary. Two gigantic hand-made W's mysteriously appear mounted 10 feet above the Honolulu office workstations. Coincidence? We think so.
2008
Both offices send teams to earn frequent flyer miles by meeting halfway to collaborate for a new client in Las Vegas. W|W Pittsburgh moves to new office on the North Side, mostly because of the free ice cream. Plus that swanky roof deck with a killer view.
2009
Pittsburgh's team picks up 4 GOLD ADDYs at the American Advertising Federation awards. Honolulu's team picks up 2 PELE AWARDS at the Hawaii Advertising Federation awards where Bernard Uy is also named "Advertising Man of the Year." Our new website finally launches.