#WFH Diaries: Ryan Dreimiller of Keurig Dr Pepper
As quarantines continue across much of the world, we're checking in with creative people to see how they're handling the ongoing WFH situation. Below, we chat with Ryan Dreimiller, a senior art director at Keurig Dr Pepper's in-house agency.
Give us a one-line bio of yourself.
Art director, illustrator and outdoor enthusiast.
Where are you living right now, and who's with you?
Currently living in Waitsfield, Vermont, in our old 1790s farmhouse with my wife, two kids and new Shepard mix puppy.
What's your work situation like at the moment, and how is it evolving?
I'm part of the in-house agency for Keurig Dr Pepper, and in the early days of the quarantine there were lots of intense rush projects focused on the company's Covid response. In the last couple weeks, though, it's been more of a return to "normal," focusing on the typical branding and packaging work.
Around the house we've set up work stations in almost every room—including the treehouse—so everyone can have a space for work or school. My wife is a school counselor and has a lot of confidential calls, so we wind up playing musical desks based on who has the most important call or meeting.
Describe your socializing strategy.
For work we've been having Zoom calls for things like birthdays or the occasional happy hour. Closer to home, now that things are relaxed a bit more we'll have social distancing bonfires or go for a hike in the woods with friends and their kids.
How are you dealing with childcare?
Our kids are a bit older, 9 and 12, so it's more just managing the remote school schedules and making sure everyone gets fed. Some days we are more successful than others.
What are you reading?
World War Z. Seems like an appropriate time to read about a zombie apocalypse.
What are you watching?
Westworld with my wife, and the go-to family favorite is Nailed It! on Netflix, which always has us laughing.
What are you listening to?
Lots of EDM. And with the sunnier days and slightly warmer weather, tossing in some GreenSky Bluegrass and Grateful Dead.
How are you staying fit?
We have a smattering of weights and kettle bells, so our living room doubles as the fitness center. Now that it's getting warmer I've been getting on my mountain bike again, which is always good to reset the head.
Have you taken up a hobby?
Post hole digging? Not sure it qualifies as a hobby but I've been installing split rail fencing for the last few weekends to create a fenced-in area for the puppy. I can barely move my arms.
Any tips for getting necessities?
Many of our local businesses have curbside pickup, so that's been great for grabbing groceries or a can of paint or a bag of dog food from the hardware store.
An awkward moment since all this started.
My kids have gotten into reading all the food packaging labels around the house. Recently my kids asked what makes olive oil "virgin"? Their grandmother's texted response was that the "olives haven't been squeezed." There was some uncomfortable laughter all around.
Best work email you got since all this started.
Nothing stands out in the email realm, but we've been using Teams since this all started and in one endless thread we have everything from folks turning themselves into potatoes or the Tiger King on Zoom to links to DIY Yip Yip Crochets Hanging Baskets or folks just sending out virtual GIF hugs and lots and lots of cat memes.
An aha! moment since all this started.
Finally letting go and embracing the new normal. Sounds cliché but realizing it's OK to let go of the daily routines that I've had in place for so many years and being more flexible on what happens in a day (work, school, home and exercise). Embracing the chaos!
What's your theory on how this is going to play out?
I think things are going to look quite different for the next couple of years as waves of this roll through and there will certainly be longer-term economic impacts for the U.S. and the world. I'm hoping some good will come out of all this, though … an FDR style New Deal where we see UBI and Medicare come into picture for all Americans.
