Gallery: Storefront Window Turns Office Workers Into Zoo Animals
01wk-office-worker
*Real Life at Work* gives employees at Wieden + Kennedy the chance to work like reality TV stars. *Photo: Wieden + Kennedy*
Photographer: Nico Engelbrecht02wk-exterior
One employee's account of life in the fishbowl: "To be honest, I think it was just as weird for people on the street to be watched by someone in a window as it was for me to be watched." *Photo: Wieden + Kennedy*
03wk-emilyforgot-4
One worker says it gave them a boost in productivity: "I did get more work done in an hour in the window than during some whole days!" *Photo: Emily Forgot*
04wk-group
For some workers, it inspired some fashion anxiety: "I was incredibly conscious that my particular choice of outfit that day wasn’t monochrome. My clash paranoia drove me out in the end." *Photo: Wieden + Kennedy*
05wk-emilyforgot-5
Of course, when you're being watched all the time, people will know when you're not really LOLing. One W+K worker recalls: "There was a funny moment with my friend was texting me, and then she could see my reaction to the messages...something you wouldn't ordinarily be able to see. *Photo: Emily Forgot*
06wk-emilyforgot-7
It was just a taste of the reality show life: "In general it can be a bit surreal focusing on work and then looking up to see a small group pointing at you." *Photo: Emily Forgot*
07wk-emily-forgot-wired-design
"The other odd thing was how people walking past spectating treated you like you were an exhibit, and just took pictures of you without acknowledging you were there." *Photo: Emily Forgot*
08wk-blueprint
"Someone ran up to the window and pressed their face against it, that was pretty intense. I think they were expecting me to perform for them." *Image: Wieden + Kennedy*
09wk-web-view
"Normally you sit opposite someone and don't think about them looking at you, but on a webcam you're aware that even though there's probably nobody watching, pretty much everyone can see you." *Image: Wieden + Kennedy*
Breathe Easy Thanks to the Best Air Purifier for Every Home
Protect your home against dust, pets, allergens, and more with the best air purifiers, tested firsthand.
Molly Higgins
The Best Automatic Litter Boxes Tested by Our Spoiled Cats
With these high-tech automatic litter boxes, gone are the days of scooping and smells. Welcome to the future.
Molly Higgins
The Best Meal Kits of 2026, Tested by a Former Restaurant Critic
Here are the best delivery services and meal kits in 2026, including Martha Stewart’s meal service, a GLP-1–supportive plan, and a budget-friendly option.
Matthew Korfhage
The Best Qi2 and MagSafe Wireless Chargers for Your Phone
Top up your Qi2 Android phone or MagSafe iPhone with a magnetic wireless charging stand, pad, car charger, or power bank.
Simon Hill
The Best Mattresses You Can Buy Online in 2026
WIRED has tested 100-plus bed-in-a-box mattresses for a week each. Our top pick, the Helix Midnight Luxe hybrid, is the best bed you can buy online.
Julia Forbes
The 10 Best WIRED-Tested Pet Cameras
Whether you’re near or far, keep an eye on your fur baby with our favorite pet cameras.
Molly Higgins
23 Gift Ideas for the Cook in Your Life
From the best air fryer to frying pans to knife sharpeners anyone can use, these ideas will keep the curious home chef in your life tinkering away.
Matthew Korfhage
The Best Pet Hair Vacuums We Tried at Home
Cordless, handheld, robot, and traditional—we tested them all to find the vacuum that’s fantastic for fur.
Molly Higgins
The Best Portable Power Stations for Blackouts, Camping, or Van Life
Whether you’re going off-grid or safeguarding against blackouts, these beefy, WIRED-tested batteries can keep the lights on.
Simon Hill
28 Amazing STEM Toys Approved by WIRED Kids
We found lots of math-filled and science-rich toys for tiny nerds to assemble, bake, squish—or even tear apart and rebuild.
Simon Hill
The Best MagSafe and Qi2 Power Banks for Your Phone
Keep your iPhone or Qi2 Android phone topped up with one of the best portable chargers.
Simon Hill
The Best Electrolyte Powders for Workouts or Nights Out
Get those lost minerals back with the help of our top electrolyte powders, tablets, drops, and chews for athletes, partiers, and everyone in between.
Louryn Strampe