I rate Helga and Pete on those subjects and think there’s a real need for some people to get their heads around this stuff and see that it’s not as scary or difficult as they might think. That, and I’m still shaking my head at the berk who told me “Oh, I don’t do business cards” when I asked if he had any contact details.
Pecha Kucha is an evening of people giving presentations. Stick with me though:
Drawing its name from the Japanese term for the sound of “chit chat”, it rests on a presentation format that is based on a simple idea: 20 images x 20 seconds. It’s a format that makes presentations concise, and keeps things moving at a rapid pace.
For the office dwellers reading this that last bit probably sounds like a blessed relief. People tend to use the opportunity to delve into a particular obsession that’s Any road, it’s a global thing and there’s a Birmingham one that’s coming up to it’s fifth edition.
The next one will be on 20 July. I’m thinking about putting myself forward as a presenter but don’t quite know what I might talk about. I have a feeling it’d probably be about free kicks. Hmm.
It’s been a while since the last (public) handwringing over why Birmingham’s reputation suffers nationally. Thankfully, the Independent has steeped in with an article doing just that (as pointed out by Neil Holland on Twitter last night).
I like this from Si Jobling (one of Multipack‘s founders). He’s miffed that the Midlands are often overlooked when people talk about the Web industry in the UK, so:
Throughout the Summer months, I’ll be visiting a variety of design/Web/creative agencies around the West Midlands as part of a Design Tour of The Midlands to promote agencies in the region and find out how they work.
The event is free to attend and takes place on 12 October, from 1 – 5pm at mac, hosted by The Producers Forum.
“Social capital” now has a very real value and multiplatform storytelling is increasingly the way to ensure that our projects are contemporary, compelling and wide reaching.
CiB’s Chris Unitt will be on one of the panels of guest speakers, along with Natasha Carlish, Nick Booth, Dave Harte, Julia Higinbottom, Pip & Lisa/Jenny and Helga Henry. They’ll be discussing how their experience in using social capital and multiplatform storytelling has lead to some exciting and innovative projects and new ways of working. The event will also feature a live and recorded web cast from the annual Power to the Pixel conference.
I’ve just noticed that Paul Hadley’s been interviewing people named in the Birmingham Post’s Power 50 and has managed to get hold of quite a few of the creative nominees. Here are a few:
Work to your heart’s content – Home
This is Helga Henry (Fierce, Creative Republic, all sorts of other things)’s “scrapbook of the stuff I discover on my quest for expertise on joy, innovation and fun”. Some very useful resources here
Tomorrow afternoon at Zellig (the new Custard Factory bit – that name’s still not sitting right with me) there’s an event for creative freelancers called Know Your Place. Those who are well tuned in to this sort of thing will know that a similar thing ran at Fazeley Studios a few months back (I even spoke at it). It seemed to go well and is now back by dope demand. It’s free but I’m not sure whether there are places left, so be quick.
Poetry Workshop with Roz Goddard
On 6 Feb, promising that “This workshop will look at ways we can re-seed the ground we love to produce fresh, exciting poems. You will look at startling beginnings, expressing feelings in dazzling images and moving beyond your habitual holding bay”. Roz is a former Birmingham Poet Laureate
The Corner Shop Blog
Really enjoying the way the blog for Black Country Touring’s latest project has been put together
Tru Life Magazine The VIP industry networking party – Eventbrite
“Tru Life Magazine will officially relaunch its new online weekly magazine website on 5th February 2010!!! Tru Life will relaunch as a collaborative lifestyle brand at the official VIP industry networking event at Sence Birmingham”
The City Sound (thecitysound) on Twitter
“Podcast showcasing the musical talents of students at Birmingham City University”. Website (and actual podcasts) soon come
november listings « Ian’s 7inch blog
Ian’s invaluable guide to the month’s film happenings might be taking a bit of a break with the Flatpack Festival demanding attention, so get it while you can
SelfCtrl
Stef Grindley is “a designer and creative based in Birmingham in the UK. I work as Senior Designer at Made Media and I am a member of the Outcrowd Collective”
Lost in S.P.A.C.E video
“a short film showcasing the art on display during the Lost In S.P.A.C.E. group show from artists based at the Custard Factory that ran in the Gallery at the end of October”
Black Velvet 58
For the amount of effort the Black Velvet folk put in they probably deserve a bigger profile. Or at least a better online one. You can only buy this at Dale News, along from the Academy btw
