design annex | think create become

Keeping Cool at the Annex

mimi — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:28:36 +0000

Design Annex member Sooz captured the action at the Design Annex today. Folks were soaking up the glorious AC and getting work done.

Sooz along with her friend, Todd Vanhoosear, are hosting a morning of open coworking at the Annex this Friday, July 30 from 9am-12noon. Space is limited so RSVP on the facebook invite. Plan is folks will stick around later to get lunch somewhere around Union Square at noon.

If you can’t make it on Friday, Design Annex hosts a monthly brown bag lunch and coworking afternoon on the third Thursday of every month. For more information and to RSVP, check out the event page. The next coworking afternoon is coming up on Thursday, August 19th.

Feedback for Your Works-In-Progress

mimi — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 16:16:20 +0000

Working solo and missing the frisson of the design studio? Design Annex can fill that gap!

Bring your nascent design and laptop to Design Annex for peer and professional feedback at a pin-up/design-crit.

Enjoy lunch and chat before breaking up into small crit groups. A roundtable discussion ensues: each presenter has ten minutes to explain their project and design concept, then 15 minutes of free professional design feedback.

Wednesday, June 30th at 12:30pm. Lunch + Refreshments provided.

Lunch + Refreshments provided. This event is free.

RSVP to reserve your place.

Business Workshop for Creatives

mimi — Tue, 11 May 2010 18:51:29 +0000

If you want to make a living creating art, you need to make money. To make money with your art, you need to sell it. Treat your Art Business like a Business and learn how to value yourself and your work. At this upcoming workshop learn how to get paid what you’re worth, avoid common mistakes, and develop a better understanding of yourself and your buyers.

“How to be an Artist and a Business Person: Professional Development for Creatives” is presented by Kevin Hallinan of Winning Inc. He’ll lead a lively discussion regarding strategies that grow business even in tough economic times. Kevin’s honesty and forthrightness, together with his ability to inspire and lead, has allowed him to coach and train artists and other non-traditional sales “rookies”, mid-level managers, and seasoned executives to new levels of success that have consistently exceeded expectations.

If you are serious about the growth of your career in art, don’t miss out on this event.
The workshop takes place at the Design Annex, 66-70 Union Square, Suite 103 in Somerville on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 with 7:00 to 7:15 pm for networking and the presentation begins at 7:15 pm. Cost is $8 for Guild members and students, $15 for others. Register before May 21 for a discount.

The seminar is presented by the Graphic Artist Guild with the Design Annex. The Guild is committed to improving conditions for all graphic artists (including, but not limited to: animators, cartoonists, designers, illustrators, and digital artists) and raising standards for the entire industry. The Guild embraces graphic artists at all skill levels. The Boston Guild sponsors a variety of events, workshops and networking opportunities which are open to the entire creative community.

Follow This Link to Register.

Design Annex and Sprout Host CrossHatch

mimi — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:12:40 +0000

On April 26, 2010 Design Annex and Sprout hosted CrossHatch at Design Annex in Union Square, Somerville, gathering many of the collaborative groups, design collectives, artist communities and coworking spaces throughout greater Boston.

Check out our photo gallery of the event. Much thanks to Sooz for taking the great shots.

Much thanks to our sponsors: Narragansett Beer and Somerville Arts Council’s ArtsUnion, which is funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

You can see a google map of the invitees here.

Design Annex to participate in 2010 Somerville Open Studios This Weekend

mimi — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:07:24 +0000

Over 300 artists in over 100 venues will open their homes and studios for the Twelfth Annual Somerville Open Studios on Saturday, May 1 and Sunday, May 2, 2010 from noon to 6 pm. During this free showcase for the arts, mid-career and emerging artists working across a broad spectrum of fine art styles and craft media – including painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, glass, fiber, jewelry, furniture and ceramics – will exhibit their work to the public.

The Design Annex joins this gathering with presentations of the work by Annex members along with a slide show of examples of other designers active in Somerville.

Come by in the afternoon for fun on the Plaza outside Union Square for “Seats & Treats.” Music and free rootbeer floats to celebrate the first step in Union Square Main Streets Chair Project.

See details on all the artists participating at http://www.somervilleopenstudios.org/artists/

The Personal Form of the City

mimi — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 20:12:16 +0000

Design Annex is happy to announce a special workshop with artist Jesse Kaminsky, the first artist chosen for the BCA’s “Artist Residency Workshop Program.”

In Jesse’s project, “The Personal Form of the City,” he will explore how memory informs one’s own sense of private and public space. Jesse will work with participants to create their own personal maps by using drawing to explore concepts of memory and experience within the city.

Jesse will be joining us at the Design Annex on Thursday, April 22nd from 2-4pm. He will briefly explain his mapping project and then lead a free workshop where each participant draws a map from memory detailing the commute from home to the Design Annex. Paper & supplies will be provided. If you’re interested in attending please RSVP to info@dannex.org

Design Annex to Participate in Somerville Open Studios

mimi — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 16:16:52 +0000

Over 300 artists in over 100 venues will open their homes and studios for the Twelfth Annual Somerville Open Studios Event on Saturday, May 1 and Sunday, May 2, 2010 from noon to 6 pm. During this free showcase for the arts, mid-career and emerging artists working across a broad spectrum of fine art styles and craft media – including painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, glass, fiber, jewelry, furniture and ceramics – will exhibit their work to the public.

The Design Annex joins this gathering with presentations of the work by Annex members along with a slide show of examples of other designers active in Somerville.

See details on all the artists participating at http://www.somervilleopenstudios.org/artists/

Welcome to new staffer Christina Ostermier

mimi — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:07:10 +0000

Christina Ostermier has joined the Design Annex as a part time staff person through late spring 2010.

She currently is Project Lead for the Roxbury Community Center with Architecture for Humanity. She formerly served as Architectural Designer for Parsons in Boston.

We’re looking forward to Christina’s work with the Design Annex to reach out and build relationships with organizations and professionals in the Boston design community.

Bully Pulpit

mimi — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 20:51:14 +0000

Move over Pecha Kucha. Here in Union Square we’re going fast, loose and opinionated. We’ve got 20-ish speakers taking the stage for just 2 minutes each, armed only with their power point slides, to make their case.

These visual essays take on every topic — from pondering the life style of assassin dolphins to raging against hats, from lamenting the ill effects on Shakespeare in the hands of the Muppets to an explanation of how to fit a boat in a closet.

Doors open at 6 pm and speakers start at 7 pm.

Free to enter. Cash bar.

Sponsored by Design Annex. www.dannex.org

Be More Profitable in 2010: Business Workshop coming up February 26

mimi — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:23:29 +0000

How many times have you heard, “Don’t work harder, work smarter”?

One of the keys to the success of your business is a laser-like understanding of your core customer.
Scott Loring of Cooperative Coaching and Mediation will walk you through his tool, the Business Niche Matrix. In this workshop you will learn the steps to evaluate your current clients in terms of profitability, relationship and growth, to accurately define your business’ core customer and ways to better focus your marketing efforts, increase sales and achieve higher revenue.

Workshop will be Friday, February 26 starting at 9 am. Before 2/18 sign up for the early bird registration for just $20.

This workshop is open to all client based businesses. Participants should have been in business for at least one year and to have a pool of at least ten customers. In preparation of the session, participants will be sent a simple template to complete for use in the workshop.

Scott Loring is a Mediator, Negotiator and Executive Coach. Since 2000, Scott has brought his business development, communication, and team building skills to individuals, families and business teams. Assisting businesses in a variety of stages from long-established companies to start-ups, Scott’s clients include leaders throughout New England in industries including manufacturing, healthcare, design and financial services. With over 20 years of experience in sales and sales management, Scott has particular expertise assisting client-focused businesses.

A continental breakfast will be served at the start of the workshop and is included in the workshop price.

Sponsored by Design Annex with Union Square Main Streets and Graphic Artist Guild/Boston Chapter.

To register or for more information.