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An Interview with Ian Pitt Founder and Creative Director of Me,Him&Her Design Studio

Published: January 28, 2025

Can you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your design studio Me,Him&Her?

My name is Ian. I’m originally from London, but I’ve been living and working in Belfast for the past two and a half years. I’ve been working as a designer for nearly 30 years (time flies!!). I started designing within the retail sector and then co-founded my own studio, Me,Him& Her, in 2007.

As a studio, we’ve always worked across a wide range of media, including digital, print, and physical. We’ve designed identities for retailers, charities, artists, and galleries; signage for restaurants and workspaces; and packaging for artisan delis and craft beer makers.

We’re a small team that loves collaborating with other creatives and specialists to deliver projects with both creative and commercial impact. Our client list is incredibly diverse, ranging from well-established multinational brands to SMEs and startups.

Since moving to Belfast, the studio now has two addresses. While we continue to work for our existing clients in London, we’re also starting to connect with some fantastic new clients here.

 

What inspired you to become a designer and how did you first get started?

I always loved art, but I was never great at it – but from an early age I liked the idea of doing something creative as a career.

When I was about 10, my dad took me to a design studio one weekend. He worked in sales for the computer company ICL and had to proof a new brochure. Back then, they still made the brochures by hand, gluing together pages as paste-ups (I’m so old, I know!). I can still remember the cover – it was black with a painted orange neon electrical pulse running across it. I think that really set me on a path – that was tangible vision of creative role that stuck with me.

I hope they don’t still do this, but at school I remember getting asked a random set of questions which then spat out a job they thought you should do. It was like a weird fortune-telling careers adviser. The ‘crystal ball of employment’ said I should be a car mechanic at the local Ford garage. Luckily for me and car mechanics, a teacher pointed me towards Graphic Design instead.

So, I went to art college for a quick foundation year to make sure the art world wasn’t missing out on anything. Then, I went on to a graphic design degree. I was really lucky to get a job right after graduating, working as a designer for Marks and Spencer. That was a brilliant place to start out.

I was surrounded by a really supportive team of people who gave me plenty of time to learn and grow as a designer. Plus, I had the privilege of working with some incredibly talented creative professionals. The role was in the Store Display studio, where we were responsible for designing all the window promotions and in-store POS. This experience started my passion for designing in spaces and environments, and creating brand experiences in a three-dimensional context.

 

What made you decide to start your own design studio?

I had worked as a designer for two big retail brands (M&S and French Connection) that I absolutely adored, but by 2006, I was itching to explore other sectors. I felt a bit stuck, you know? There are only so many sale campaigns you can come up with. So, I decided to take a leap of faith and try something new.

My initial plan was to go freelance and see where it took me. I’m sure that would have been a total disaster, but luckily, my boss at the time was feeling the same way. We had always worked really well together, and he’s still the most creative person I’ve ever worked with – infuriating at times  – but always brilliant.

In 2007, we decided to start our own agency – Me,Him&Her. The name was something of a response to the Ad agencies we’d dealt with over the years that all sounded like law firms, all name checking the egos of the founding partners.

As the name suggests there was supposed to have been three of us, hence the ‘Her,’ but it didn’t quite work out. We were so in love with the name that we kept going as a slightly misnamed partnership for a while until we were finally joined by a couple of ‘Her(s).’

 

Has your business changed at all since you started back in 2007? Have your priorities changed?

The business has never stopped changing. I would say at the beginning we were very much making it up as we went along. I don’t think we really had a plan beyond enjoying our newfound creative freedom, creating the best work we could, and paying the bills. We had a mantra of ‘Loving your work’ which we had on all our stationery and comms – I still use that to this day – it really matters that I do love all the work we produce – as a priority for me and the business that has remained constant.

We started out focused on the retail sector – that’s what we knew and we had a great portfolio of work within that to attract clients – and we were really successful at it.

A year or so in, I got introduced to a young architecture firm, spacelab_ (now award-winning), and collaborated with them to design some graphic interiors in a workspace for a client of theirs. That opened up a whole new sector for us and created an enduring creative friendship with spacelab_.

I think when we started out I was really naive about what having your own business was going to be like. We grew pretty quickly. Our first studio was a pop-up we designed. A brilliant photographer and friend Martin Wonnacott was generous enough to let us build it within his photographic studio. Our address was the ‘The Set in the Corner’ and that’s exactly what it was – a bonkers timber-framed office, built like an exhibition stand looking like something you see on a film set. It had space for 3 of us to work and a storage area at the back. Brilliant.

A couple of years in, we realised we needed more space and staff. We rented another studio above the unit of a print supplier we worked with. That was a big change – as soon as we had more people, I felt overwhelmed. We weren’t designers anymore; we were directors. I was designing less and less, spending more time in client meetings, trying to find new work to keep our new team busy and managing people.

I think we got caught up in the idea of what a design studio should be, not what we wanted it to be. We continued to be successful, but I wanted to enjoy it entirely.

We ended up splitting the original business – then I realised the original ‘non-plan’ was actually pretty good.

“Enjoy the creative freedom, create the best work you can, and pay the bills”. 

I would say for the last 10 years I have now developed the right-sized studio. Me,Him&Her works with an amazing team of designers, collaborates with other creatives, specifically in the art sector, and continues to deliver projects I love.

 

What do you enjoy most about working for yourself?

Running your own business is an incredible feeling – you know that it’s ultimately up to you to make it a success or a failure. There’s definitely pressure that comes with that – not least the need to make money – but after almost 18 years of running my own business, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Freedom is a big thing – a lot of my friends still think I’m ‘living the dream’, doing whatever I want whenever I want. That’s definitely not true. I do have a bit more flexibility with my time than most people with ‘real jobs’ do. At the end of the day, deadlines have to be met and work has to be done, so it’s just about time management.

The biggest freedom I’ve gained as I’ve gotten older is that I can now say no to some projects. You start to get a feel for what kind of work you like and how it might turn out. And you start to care more about how a relationship with a client will develop. That matters more and more to me – I want to do work that I’m really passionate about and with people I like. It can’t always be the case, but 85% of my time is spent doing just that.

 

Knowing what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently when you were first starting out? Do you have any advice for creatives starting out now?

No. I work doing the job I wanted to do since the age of 10. How cool is that? I have worked with some inspirational people, for some amazing clients, and delivered work I’m really proud of – doing something I absolutely love. Being a creative is a vocation. That old maxim, unusually for what I like to call ‘tea towel’ philosophy; ‘Find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life’ is actually true for me.

There are days you want to bang your head against the wall – days you think you’ll never have another idea in your life – days you’ll think you’ll never get another client – endless days you feel sick with worry and stress as you think about delivering the next piece of work – and days and days while you wait to get paid. But despite all that, having the opportunity to create something daily I think is genuinely such a privilege.

I don’t really like giving advice; what the hell do I know?

But… to be successful as a designer relies on so much more than just your visual talent. Learning about client relations. Learning out how best for you to present your work. Playing nicely with others. Taking on feedback and learning how to not throw your creative toys out of the pram if it’s bad. This is all best done with a supportive team around you to hold your hand through the multitude of mistakes you are undoubtedly going to make.

I’m going to also recommend a book: Do/Fly (Find your way, Make a living. Be your best self.) written by Gavin Strange – it’s from the stable of the Do Lectures (set up by the incredible David Hieatt, if you don’t know him or them go and find out about both) – it is for me a really inspirational read and a book I turn back to all the time when I need a creative pep talk. My favourite piece of advice (now it seems I’m on a roll of giving it!) though is the beautifully printed words of Anthony Burrill which hang in the studio.

“Work hard and be nice to people”

It might just be that simple. Sermon over.

 

You recently moved to Belfast from London, what inspired the move and how have you found it so far?

So, the most memorable thing that happened during my time at Marks and Spencer was that I met my wife there! She was working at M&S during her placement year from her marketing degree at the University of Ulster. After finishing her degree, she moved back and we settled down in London. After 30 years living there, we just wanted a change. We’d spoken about moving over the year prior to Covid, and actually put the offer in on the house we now live in two weeks prior to the first lockdown !! A pandemic and a full house renovation later and we were finally able to make the move in April 2022.

I’m loving living here. It wasn’t a total shock – I’d been coming back and forth for years, but now having the time to really explore Belfast and the whole of Ireland has been great. There’s a really good creative energy about the city. People think London is unfriendly – it’s not, but the warmth and generosity from everyone I’ve met here has been really lovely – thanks to everyone who has taken the time to have a pint(s) and a chat with me.

 

Are there any differences you have noticed between working as a designer in both cities?

Scale, I suppose. I still spend a lot of time working for clients in London, which is awesome, but I’d love to grow my work here more. 95% of my work has always come through a network of clients, colleagues, and friends I’ve known over the years in London. It’s always going to be tough building that from scratch here, but we’re making progress. This is a smaller pond to fish in, and there are already a lot of very talented studios doing great work here already.

 

Finally have you any exciting plans or ambitions for the future?

As anyone who has had the misfortune to listen to me banging on about this for the last two years, I would love for Me,Him&Her to open a print gallery here.

We have worked with some amazing artists and galleries in London, putting on shows and promoting work. I love wandering round Late Night Art once a month here and I’ve found some great galleries, but I miss the opening nights at somewhere like Jealous or the sort of shows we’d put on at the depot_. Nudge, by Patrick Colhoun and Hallerclarke at Riddell’s Warehouse last year was hands down the best put-together show I’ve been to in Belfast.

I’d love to have a commercial space selling accessible and affordable art. Celebrating the art of the printed, painted, and sprayed by some of the hottest UK and Irish artists, whilst also providing a space for the new and emerging. Anyone else wants to get involved, let me know. 2025 is the year I’m going to stop banging on about it and make it happen !!

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Thanks so much to @dannisimpsonart for a great creative talk last night and to everyone who joined us for the event!

May 8

Open
Thanks so much to @dannisimpsonart for a great creative talk last night and to everyone who joined us for the event!

It`s all change at Blick this month as we say goodbye to some of our current residents, allowing us also to welcome in new creatives as space becomes available!

We have the following dedicated deskspaces available in our shared creative coworking spaces.

HILL ST
2 adjacent desks available £165 for 1 or £285 for both desks per calendar month

COTTON COURT
2 adjacent desks available £125 for 1 desk or £225 for both desks per calendar month

GREAT NORTHERN STREET
1 desk available £150 per calendar month

ABOUT THE WORKSPACE:
– All prices are all inclusive (rent, rates, utilities, broadband)
– Minimum 3 months contract then on a rolling monthly contract
– 1 months rent required as a deposit

WORKSPACE BENEFITS:

– Networking and collaborative opportunities with other studio members

– Quiet environment for working creatively and productively away from home distractions

– Professional commercial address for customer confidence and to keep your home address private

– Better work-life balance. Keep your work and home-life separate

– Dedicated deskspace with storage you can leave equipment and know where you will be sitting each day!

– Opportunity to attend events and workshops in the studios and build your network and improve your skills

– All studios are in great locations in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter or South Belfast

– Flexible and affordable contracts (Minimum of 3 months then on a month by month basis)

– Blick is an independent social enterprise. Profits from our creative workspace services go back into supporting the creative community through our different events, workshops, residencies, programs and resources.

For more email or to arrange a viewing message us, email christine@blickstudios.org or visit our website www.blickstudios.org

May 7

Open
It's all change at Blick this month as we say goodbye to some of our current residents, allowing us also to welcome in new creatives as space becomes available!

We have the following dedicated deskspaces available in our shared creative coworking spaces.

HILL ST
2 adjacent desks available £165 for 1 or £285 for both desks per calendar month

COTTON COURT
2 adjacent desks available £125 for 1 desk or £225 for both desks per calendar month

GREAT NORTHERN STREET
1 desk available £150 per calendar month

ABOUT THE WORKSPACE:
– All prices are all inclusive (rent, rates, utilities, broadband)
– Minimum 3 months contract then on a rolling monthly contract
– 1 months rent required as a deposit

WORKSPACE BENEFITS:

– Networking and collaborative opportunities with other studio members

– Quiet environment for working creatively and productively away from home distractions

– Professional commercial address for customer confidence and to keep your home address private

– Better work-life balance. Keep your work and home-life separate

– Dedicated deskspace with storage you can leave equipment and know where you will be sitting each day!

– Opportunity to attend events and workshops in the studios and build your network and improve your skills

– All studios are in great locations in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter or South Belfast

– Flexible and affordable contracts (Minimum of 3 months then on a month by month basis)

– Blick is an independent social enterprise. Profits from our creative workspace services go back into supporting the creative community through our different events, workshops, residencies, programs and resources.

For more email or to arrange a viewing message us, email christine@blickstudios.org or visit our website www.blickstudios.org

LAST CHANCE TO BOOK!! Just a couple of tickets left for this tomorrow night!

- - CREATIVE TALK - ARTIST & ILLUSTRATOR DANNI SIMPSON - -
Come join us tomorrow evening for our next creative talk with the talented artist and illustrator, Danni Simpson sharing her creative story!

Danni Simpson is an Australian Artist who specialises in Commercial murals and Illustrations. Her natural passion and talent for art has allowed her to complete a large number of projects and travel the globe to paint the world. Her style is an urban fusion of detailed floral illustrations where wildlife clashes with architecture and typography, sprinkled through with dashes of art deco and mandala patterns. Beyond her work commercially, Danni has been invited to appear at a number of events across the UK and Ireland such as Electric Picnic, Upfest Street Art Festival and Hit The North. Danni continues to travel the world leaving her mark wherever she goes and hopes to ignite a creative spark in everyone who sees her art.

You can find out more about Danni and her work on her Website: dannisimpsonart.com and on Instagram: @dannisimpsonart

EVENT DETAILS:
Event Date(s): May 7, 2025
Event Time: 7pm - 8pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: Free

For more info and to book visit our website link below and in profile: https://blickstudios.org/events/creative-talk-with-artist-illustrator-danni-simpson/

May 6

Open
LAST CHANCE TO BOOK!! Just a couple of tickets left for this tomorrow night!

- - CREATIVE TALK - ARTIST & ILLUSTRATOR DANNI SIMPSON - -
Come join us tomorrow evening for our next creative talk with the talented artist and illustrator, Danni Simpson sharing her creative story!

Danni Simpson is an Australian Artist who specialises in Commercial murals and Illustrations. Her natural passion and talent for art has allowed her to complete a large number of projects and travel the globe to paint the world. Her style is an urban fusion of detailed floral illustrations where wildlife clashes with architecture and typography, sprinkled through with dashes of art deco and mandala patterns. Beyond her work commercially, Danni has been invited to appear at a number of events across the UK and Ireland such as Electric Picnic, Upfest Street Art Festival and Hit The North. Danni continues to travel the world leaving her mark wherever she goes and hopes to ignite a creative spark in everyone who sees her art.

You can find out more about Danni and her work on her Website: dannisimpsonart.com and on Instagram: @dannisimpsonart 

EVENT DETAILS:
Event Date(s): May 7, 2025
Event Time: 7pm - 8pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: Free

For more info and to book visit our website link below and in profile: https://blickstudios.org/events/creative-talk-with-artist-illustrator-danni-simpson/

Happy Bank Holiday Weekend! Here`s what`s on at Blick this Month!

- Wed 7th May - Creative Talk - Artist & Illustrator Danni Simpson
Time: 7pm - 8pm
Venue: Blick Hill St

- Sun 4th May - Seaside Books Beginner 6 Week Poetry Workshop Course�
Time: 2pm - 4pm
Venue: Blick Great Northern Street

- Tues 6th May - Seaside Books Intermediate 6 Week Poetry Workshop Course�
Time: 6.30pm - 8pm
Venue: Blick Great Northern Street

- Tuesday 27th May - Womenfolk Peer Mentoring�
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Venue: Blick Hill St

�- Wednesday 28th May - Nurture Program Participants Creative Talks
�Time: 7pm - 9pm
�Venue: Blick Great Northern Street�

�Find out more on our website: �https://blickstudios.org/events/�����

May 6

Open
Happy Bank Holiday Weekend! Here's what's on at Blick this Month!

- Wed 7th May - Creative Talk - Artist & Illustrator Danni Simpson
Time: 7pm - 8pm
Venue: Blick Hill St

- Sun 4th May - Seaside Books Beginner 6 Week Poetry Workshop Course�
Time: 2pm - 4pm
Venue: Blick Great Northern Street

- Tues 6th May - Seaside Books Intermediate 6 Week Poetry Workshop Course�
Time: 6.30pm - 8pm
Venue: Blick Great Northern Street

- Tuesday 27th May - Womenfolk Peer Mentoring�
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Venue: Blick Hill St

�- Wednesday 28th May - Nurture Program Participants Creative Talks
�Time: 7pm - 9pm
�Venue: Blick Great Northern Street�

�Find out more on our website: �https://blickstudios.org/events/�����

After a busy year moving buildings and doing lots of things behind the scenes, we are bringing back our regular roundup of local and international funding, support & opportunities for NI creatives. Here are some of the opportunities coming up that we think look interesting both locally and internationally!

01. Golden Wolf Internships 2025

Golden Wolf and Doodles are on the lookout for 8 incredible interns to join their teams across London, New York, and remote roles.

Deadline: Monday 12th May 12am

https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/goldenwolf

02. Belfast City Council Bank of Ideas

Residents are being invited to put forward their ideas for creative projects in their community for the chance to receive funding that could see their ideas become reality.

Deadline: Wednesday 14th May 5pm

https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/culturefunding

03. IPI New Media Incubator

IPI’s New Media Incubator is an eight-month programme supporting European startups and new media ventures

Deadline: 6th June

https://ipi.media/new-media-incubator-2025/

04. British Council Architecture, Design and Fashion Biennales and Festivals Grants

You can apply for grants of up to £10,000 to facilitate showcasing, exhibition building, travel, presentation of completed design work, networking and skills building.

Deadline: 1st June 23:59pm

https://arts.britishcouncil.org/get-involved/opportunities/architecture-design-and-fashion-biennales-and-festivals-grants

05. Open Call for Designers – Design Signals

Open call to designers of all disciplines to propose research-driven projects that rethink materials, processes and ecosystems within Timisoara’s chemical industry.

Deadline: 4th May

https://faber.ro/en/open-call-for-designers-design-signals/

You can also view them on our blog (link in profile)

May 2

Open
After a busy year moving buildings and doing lots of things behind the scenes, we are bringing back our regular roundup of local and international funding, support & opportunities for NI creatives. Here are some of the opportunities coming up that we think look interesting both locally and internationally!

01. Golden Wolf Internships 2025

Golden Wolf and Doodles are on the lookout for 8 incredible interns to join their teams across London, New York, and remote roles.

Deadline: Monday 12th May 12am

https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/goldenwolf

02. Belfast City Council Bank of Ideas

Residents are being invited to put forward their ideas for creative projects in their community for the chance to receive funding that could see their ideas become reality.

Deadline: Wednesday 14th May 5pm

https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/culturefunding

03. IPI New Media Incubator

IPI’s New Media Incubator is an eight-month programme supporting European startups and new media ventures

Deadline: 6th June

https://ipi.media/new-media-incubator-2025/

04. British Council Architecture, Design and Fashion Biennales and Festivals Grants

You can apply for grants of up to £10,000 to facilitate showcasing, exhibition building, travel, presentation of completed design work, networking and skills building.

Deadline: 1st June 23:59pm

https://arts.britishcouncil.org/get-involved/opportunities/architecture-design-and-fashion-biennales-and-festivals-grants

05. Open Call for Designers – Design Signals

Open call to designers of all disciplines to propose research-driven projects that rethink materials, processes and ecosystems within Timisoara’s chemical industry.

Deadline: 4th May

https://faber.ro/en/open-call-for-designers-design-signals/

You can also view them on our blog (link in profile)

What`s on at Blick this month!

- Wed 7th May - Creative Talk - Artist & Illustrator Danni Simpson
Time: 7pm - 8pm
Venue: Blick Hill St

- Sun 4th May - Seaside Books Beginner 6 Week Poetry Workshop Course�
Time: 2pm - 4pm
Venue: Blick Great Northern Street

- Tues 6th May - Seaside Books Intermediate 6 Week Poetry Workshop Course�
Time: 6.30pm - 8pm
Venue: Blick Great Northern Street

- Tuesday 27th May - Womenfolk Peer Mentoring�
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Venue: Blick Hill St

�- Wednesday 28th May - Nurture Program Participants Creative Talks
�Time: 7pm - 9pm
�Venue: Blick Great Northern Street�

�Find out more on the events page of our website (link in profile)

May 1

Open
What's on at Blick this month!

- Wed 7th May - Creative Talk - Artist & Illustrator Danni Simpson
Time: 7pm - 8pm
Venue: Blick Hill St

- Sun 4th May - Seaside Books Beginner 6 Week Poetry Workshop Course�
Time: 2pm - 4pm
Venue: Blick Great Northern Street

- Tues 6th May - Seaside Books Intermediate 6 Week Poetry Workshop Course�
Time: 6.30pm - 8pm
Venue: Blick Great Northern Street

- Tuesday 27th May - Womenfolk Peer Mentoring�
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Venue: Blick Hill St

�- Wednesday 28th May - Nurture Program Participants Creative Talks
�Time: 7pm - 9pm
�Venue: Blick Great Northern Street�

�Find out more on the events page of our website (link in profile)

- - NEXT WEEK - CREATIVE TALK - ARTIST & ILLUSTRATOR DANNI SIMPSON - -

Come join us next Wednesday evening for our next creative talk with the talented artist and illustrator, Danni Simpson sharing her creative story!

Danni Simpson is an Australian Artist who specialises in Commercial murals and Illustrations. Her natural passion and talent for art has allowed her to complete a large number of projects and travel the globe to paint the world. Her style is an urban fusion of detailed floral illustrations where wildlife clashes with architecture and typography, sprinkled through with dashes of art deco and mandala patterns. Beyond her work commercially, Danni has been invited to appear at a number of events across the UK and Ireland such as Electric Picnic, Upfest Street Art Festival and Hit The North. Danni continues to travel the world leaving her mark wherever she goes and hopes to ignite a creative spark in everyone who sees her art.

You can find out more about Danni and her work on her Website: dannisimpsonart.com and on Instagram: @dannisimpsonart

EVENT DETAILS:
Event Date(s): May 7, 2025
Event Time: 7pm - 8pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: Free

For more info and to book visit our website (link below and in profile)  https://blickstudios.org/events/creative-talk-with-artist-illustrator-danni-simpson/

Apr 30

Open
- - NEXT WEEK - CREATIVE TALK - ARTIST & ILLUSTRATOR DANNI SIMPSON - -

Come join us next Wednesday evening for our next creative talk with the talented artist and illustrator, Danni Simpson sharing her creative story!

Danni Simpson is an Australian Artist who specialises in Commercial murals and Illustrations. Her natural passion and talent for art has allowed her to complete a large number of projects and travel the globe to paint the world. Her style is an urban fusion of detailed floral illustrations where wildlife clashes with architecture and typography, sprinkled through with dashes of art deco and mandala patterns. Beyond her work commercially, Danni has been invited to appear at a number of events across the UK and Ireland such as Electric Picnic, Upfest Street Art Festival and Hit The North. Danni continues to travel the world leaving her mark wherever she goes and hopes to ignite a creative spark in everyone who sees her art.

You can find out more about Danni and her work on her Website: dannisimpsonart.com and on Instagram: @dannisimpsonart

EVENT DETAILS:
Event Date(s): May 7, 2025
Event Time: 7pm - 8pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: Free

For more info and to book visit our website (link below and in profile)  https://blickstudios.org/events/creative-talk-with-artist-illustrator-danni-simpson/

We had a lovely few days touring around different creative projects in Belfast last week with Alan and Sarah from @onebite.design who we met in Hong Kong last October when we were visiting for our British Council @the_design_salon and @belfastdesignwk project. It was like being tourists in our own city, and it was great to
see how much Belfast has changed and is continuing to grow and change to reconnect with people we hadn`t had the opportunity to connect with
recently, and to get outsiders` perspectives on the many possibilities the City offers!

Thanks to Alan and Sarah for visiting and inspiring us with their amazing work and to everyone who took the time to chat with them and welcome them to Belfast!

Apr 29

Open
We had a lovely few days touring around different creative projects in Belfast last week with Alan and Sarah from @onebite.design who we met in Hong Kong last October when we were visiting for our British Council @the_design_salon and @belfastdesignwk project. It was like being tourists in our own city, and it was great to
see how much Belfast has changed and is continuing to grow and change to reconnect with people we hadn't had the opportunity to connect with
recently, and to get outsiders' perspectives on the many possibilities the City offers!

Thanks to Alan and Sarah for visiting and inspiring us with their amazing work and to everyone who took the time to chat with them and welcome them to Belfast!

- - CREATIVE TALK NEXT WEDNESDAY WITH ARTIST & ILLUSTRATOR DANNI SIMPSON SHARING HER STORY - -

Come join us for our next creative talk next Wednesday with the talented artist and illustrator, Danni Simpson sharing her creative story! Hear and get inspiration from Danni’s journey, learn about her creative process, and gain insights into the world of art and illustration.

ABOUT DANNI:
Danni Simpson is an Australian Artist who specialises in Commercial murals and Illustrations. Her natural passion and talent for art has allowed her to complete a large number of projects and travel the globe to paint the world. Her style is an urban fusion of detailed floral illustrations where wildlife clashes with architecture and typography, sprinkled through with dashes of art deco and mandala patterns. Beyond her work commercially, Danni has been invited to appear at a number of events across the UK and Ireland such as Electric Picnic, Upfest Street Art Festival and Hit The North. Danni continues to travel the world leaving her mark wherever she goes and hopes to ignite a creative spark in everyone who sees her art.

You can find out more about Danni and her work on her Website: dannisimpsonart.com and on Instagram: @dannisimpsonart

EVENT DETAILS:
Event Date(s): Wed, May 7, 2025
Event Time: 7pm - 8pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: Free

For more info and to book visit our website (link in profile)

#illustrationbelfast #belfastcreatives #blickstudios #creativetalk

Apr 28

Open
- - CREATIVE TALK NEXT WEDNESDAY WITH ARTIST & ILLUSTRATOR DANNI SIMPSON SHARING HER STORY - -

Come join us for our next creative talk next Wednesday with the talented artist and illustrator, Danni Simpson sharing her creative story! Hear and get inspiration from Danni’s journey, learn about her creative process, and gain insights into the world of art and illustration.

ABOUT DANNI:
Danni Simpson is an Australian Artist who specialises in Commercial murals and Illustrations. Her natural passion and talent for art has allowed her to complete a large number of projects and travel the globe to paint the world. Her style is an urban fusion of detailed floral illustrations where wildlife clashes with architecture and typography, sprinkled through with dashes of art deco and mandala patterns. Beyond her work commercially, Danni has been invited to appear at a number of events across the UK and Ireland such as Electric Picnic, Upfest Street Art Festival and Hit The North. Danni continues to travel the world leaving her mark wherever she goes and hopes to ignite a creative spark in everyone who sees her art.

You can find out more about Danni and her work on her Website: dannisimpsonart.com and on Instagram: @dannisimpsonart 

EVENT DETAILS:
Event Date(s): Wed, May 7, 2025
Event Time: 7pm - 8pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: Free

For more info and to book visit our website (link in profile)

#illustrationbelfast #belfastcreatives #blickstudios #creativetalk

Following on from yesterday`s exercise to help you to understand your purpose, here are some questions to help you to refine your creative purpose

Downloadable Word and PDF exercises and more info on the creative resources section of our website link below and in profile!

https://blickstudios.org/resources/understanding-your-why-2/

Apr 26

Open
Following on from yesterday's exercise to help you to understand your purpose, here are some questions to help you to refine your creative purpose

Downloadable Word and PDF exercises and more info on the creative resources section of our website link below and in profile!

https://blickstudios.org/resources/understanding-your-why-2/

Your ‘Why’ or purpose is the reason you have formed your creative practice boiled down to a single sentence (or two). It will help you to connect with your customers and audiences and build an authentic and sustainable creative practice/ business.This exercise will help you to understand your purpose and communicate it to the world.

You can find downloadable PDF and Word versions of this exercise on the creative resources section of our website (link below and in profile):  
https://blickstudios.org/resources/understanding-your-why-2/

Apr 25

Open
Your ‘Why’ or purpose is the reason you have formed your creative practice boiled down to a single sentence (or two). It will help you to connect with your customers and audiences and build an authentic and sustainable creative practice/ business.This exercise will help you to understand your purpose and communicate it to the world.

You can find downloadable PDF and Word versions of this exercise on the creative resources section of our website (link below and in profile):  
https://blickstudios.org/resources/understanding-your-why-2/

-- BLICK CREATIVE RESOURCES - UNDERSTANDING YOUR WHY --

“People don`t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.” Simon Sinek

Our `Why` is the reason our business exists beyond the drive to make money. Our `Why` or brand purpose creates connections with our target customers. Leading with our `Why` and following with the `What` and the `How` helps you connect with your audiences and customers and as your business grows with employees as well.

Finding your `Why` isn’t always simple. It’s more than just making a statement you think your audience will get behind. And it’s far more than co-opting the `Why` you’ve seen work successfully for others. Audiences are smart. They will instantly be able to sense if your `Why` is not authentic. Your `Why` is not the same, but has to align with and drive everything else you’re doing, especially your vision, mission, and values.

Remember:

- Your vision describes where your organization is going in the coming years.

- Your mission focuses on your business operations and the products or services you offer.

- Your values define how your entire organization should go about achieving your mission.

- Your Why shifts focus from internal operations to your external impact.

Over the next few days we will be sharing some resources to help you refine your `Why` for your creative practice or business, you can also find these resources on our website link below and in profile: https://blickstudios.org/resources/understanding-your-why-2/

Apr 24

Open
-- BLICK CREATIVE RESOURCES - UNDERSTANDING YOUR WHY --

“People don't buy what you do, they buy why you do it.” Simon Sinek

Our 'Why' is the reason our business exists beyond the drive to make money. Our 'Why' or brand purpose creates connections with our target customers. Leading with our 'Why' and following with the 'What' and the 'How' helps you connect with your audiences and customers and as your business grows with employees as well.

Finding your 'Why' isn’t always simple. It’s more than just making a statement you think your audience will get behind. And it’s far more than co-opting the 'Why' you’ve seen work successfully for others. Audiences are smart. They will instantly be able to sense if your 'Why' is not authentic. Your 'Why' is not the same, but has to align with and drive everything else you’re doing, especially your vision, mission, and values.

Remember:

- Your vision describes where your organization is going in the coming years.

- Your mission focuses on your business operations and the products or services you offer.

- Your values define how your entire organization should go about achieving your mission.

- Your Why shifts focus from internal operations to your external impact.

Over the next few days we will be sharing some resources to help you refine your 'Why' for your creative practice or business, you can also find these resources on our website link below and in profile: https://blickstudios.org/resources/understanding-your-why-2/

Our May Creative Talk and the last one until next Autumn is with @dannisimpsonart  an Australian Artist who specialises in commercial murals and illustrations.

Her natural passion and talent for art has allowed her to complete a large number of projects and travel the globe to paint the world. Her style is an urban fusion of detailed floral illustrations where wildlife clashes with architecture and typography, sprinkled through with dashes of art deco and mandala patterns.

Beyond her work commercially, Danni has been invited to appear at a number of events across the UK and Ireland such as Electric Picnic, Upfest Street Art Festival and Hit The North. Danni continues to travel the world leaving her mark wherever she goes and hopes to ignite a creative spark in everyone who sees her art.

You can find out more about Danni and her work on her Website: dannisimpsonart.com and on Instagram: @dannisimpsonart

EVENT DETAILS
Event Date(s): Wed 7th May 
Event Time: 7pm - 8pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: Free

More details and booking on our website link below and in profile https://blickstudios.org/events/creative-talk-with-artist-illustrator-danni-simpson/

Apr 23

Open
Our May Creative Talk and the last one until next Autumn is with @dannisimpsonart  an Australian Artist who specialises in commercial murals and illustrations.

 Her natural passion and talent for art has allowed her to complete a large number of projects and travel the globe to paint the world. Her style is an urban fusion of detailed floral illustrations where wildlife clashes with architecture and typography, sprinkled through with dashes of art deco and mandala patterns. 

Beyond her work commercially, Danni has been invited to appear at a number of events across the UK and Ireland such as Electric Picnic, Upfest Street Art Festival and Hit The North. Danni continues to travel the world leaving her mark wherever she goes and hopes to ignite a creative spark in everyone who sees her art.

You can find out more about Danni and her work on her Website: dannisimpsonart.com and on Instagram: @dannisimpsonart

EVENT DETAILS
Event Date(s): Wed 7th May 
Event Time: 7pm - 8pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: Free

More details and booking on our website link below and in profile https://blickstudios.org/events/creative-talk-with-artist-illustrator-danni-simpson/

Happy Easter 🐰 🐣 I hope everyone has a good break despite the awful weather! I managed to get a pic of our Great Northern Street Studios looking lovely in the sun yesterday!

Apr 18

Open
Happy Easter 🐰 🐣 I hope everyone has a good break despite the awful weather! I managed to get a pic of our Great Northern Street Studios looking lovely in the sun yesterday!

2 great new 6 week poetry workshops with Blick residents @seasidebooksni coming up this May in our Great Northern Street Studios. You can find booking details on the event page of our website or the Seaside Books website!

Apr 17

Open
2 great new 6 week poetry workshops with Blick residents @seasidebooksni coming up this May in our Great Northern Street Studios. You can find booking details on the event page of our website or the Seaside Books website!

- - CREATIVE TALK - ARTIST & ILLUSTRATOR DANNI SIMPSON - -

Come join us for our next creative talk with the talented artist and illustrator, Danni Simpson @dannisimpsonart, sharing her creative story! Get inspired by Danni’s journey, learn about her creative process, and gain insights into the world of art and illustration.

�ABOUT DANNI:

Danni Simpson is an Australian Artist who specialises in Commercial murals and illustrations. Her natural passion and talent for art has allowed her to complete a large number of projects and travel the globe to paint the world. Her style is an urban fusion of detailed floral illustrations where wildlife clashes with architecture and typography, sprinkled through with dashes of art deco and mandala patterns. Beyond her work commercially, Danni has been invited to appear at a number of events across the UK and Ireland such as Electric Picnic, Upfest Street Art Festival and Hit The North. Danni continues to travel the world leaving her mark wherever she goes and hopes to ignite a creative spark in everyone who sees her art.

You can find out more about Danni and her work on her Website: dannisimpsonart.com and on Instagram: @dannisimpsonart

�EVENT DETAILS:
��Event Date(s): May 7, 2025
Event Time: 7pm - 8pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: Free

�For more info and to book visit our website link below and in profile: �https://blickstudios.org/events/creative-talk-with-artist-illustrator-danni-simpson/

Apr 16

Open
- - CREATIVE TALK - ARTIST & ILLUSTRATOR DANNI SIMPSON - -

Come join us for our next creative talk with the talented artist and illustrator, Danni Simpson @dannisimpsonart, sharing her creative story! Get inspired by Danni’s journey, learn about her creative process, and gain insights into the world of art and illustration.

�ABOUT DANNI:

Danni Simpson is an Australian Artist who specialises in Commercial murals and illustrations. Her natural passion and talent for art has allowed her to complete a large number of projects and travel the globe to paint the world. Her style is an urban fusion of detailed floral illustrations where wildlife clashes with architecture and typography, sprinkled through with dashes of art deco and mandala patterns. Beyond her work commercially, Danni has been invited to appear at a number of events across the UK and Ireland such as Electric Picnic, Upfest Street Art Festival and Hit The North. Danni continues to travel the world leaving her mark wherever she goes and hopes to ignite a creative spark in everyone who sees her art.

You can find out more about Danni and her work on her Website: dannisimpsonart.com and on Instagram: @dannisimpsonart

�EVENT DETAILS:
��Event Date(s): May 7, 2025
Event Time: 7pm - 8pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: Free

�For more info and to book visit our website link below and in profile: �https://blickstudios.org/events/creative-talk-with-artist-illustrator-danni-simpson/

We got a lovely new table for our South Belfast studios from the brilliant Ten Foundations charity shop on the Lisburn Road

Affordable, sustainable, supporting a great charity and close enough to our studios that we could carry it down the road!

Apr 15

Open
We got a lovely new table for our South Belfast studios from the brilliant Ten Foundations charity shop on the Lisburn Road

Affordable, sustainable, supporting a great charity and close enough to our studios that we could carry it down the road!

Thanks to everyone who joined us last Wednesday evening and to Lauren Kelso @laurenkelsoillustrator  for a brilliant creative talk and for letting us look through all her beautiful sketchbooks! Our next creative talk is on Wednesday 9th May with artist and illustrator Danni Simpson @dannisimpsonart

EVENT DETAILS: CREATIVE TALK WITH ARTIST AND ILLUSTRATOR DANNI SIMPSON
Event Date(s): May 7, 2025
Event Time: 7pm - 8pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: Free
Booking link below and in profile

https://blickstudios.org/events/creative-talk-with-artist-illustrator-danni-simpson/

Apr 14

Open
Thanks to everyone who joined us last Wednesday evening and to Lauren Kelso @laurenkelsoillustrator  for a brilliant creative talk and for letting us look through all her beautiful sketchbooks! Our next creative talk is on Wednesday 9th May with artist and illustrator Danni Simpson @dannisimpsonart

EVENT DETAILS: CREATIVE TALK WITH ARTIST AND ILLUSTRATOR DANNI SIMPSON
Event Date(s): May 7, 2025
Event Time: 7pm - 8pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: Free
Booking link below and in profile 

https://blickstudios.org/events/creative-talk-with-artist-illustrator-danni-simpson/

We were featured in Ulster Business along with lots of great companies in an article about coworking in Belfast!
https://issuu.com/ulster_business/docs/ulster_business_february_2025

Apr 10

Open
We were featured in Ulster Business along with lots of great companies in an article about coworking in Belfast!
https://issuu.com/ulster_business/docs/ulster_business_february_2025

- - Shared & Private Creative Workspace Coming Available Great Northern Street South Belfast - -

PRIVATE STUDIO SPACE
We have one small 1 person private studio space (approx 8sqm) with sink, fridge, kitchen units and kettle coming available. It is £285 per calendar month all inclusive (rent, rates, utilities, broadband and 24 hour access).

�SHARED STUDIO SPACE
We also have 1 dedicated deskspace in our shared/ coworking space available for £150 per calendar month all inclusive (rent, rates, utilities, broadband and 24 hour access).

ABOUT THE WORKSPACE
– 24 hour access
– Breakout area
– South Belfast location close to the Lisburn Road with lots of shops, coffee shops and bars within walking distance
– Minimum 3 months contract then on a rolling monthly contract
– 1 months rent required as a deposit

Contracts are for a minimum of 3 months then on a rolling monthly contract.

Interested? Get in touch by emailling christine@blickstudios.org or visit our website for more info: https://blickstudios.org/locations/great-northern-street/

Apr 9

Open
- - Shared & Private Creative Workspace Coming  Available Great Northern Street South Belfast - -

PRIVATE STUDIO SPACE
We have one small 1 person private studio space (approx 8sqm) with sink, fridge, kitchen units and kettle coming available. It is £285 per calendar month all inclusive (rent, rates, utilities, broadband and 24 hour access).

�SHARED STUDIO SPACE
We also have 1 dedicated deskspace in our shared/ coworking space available for £150 per calendar month all inclusive (rent, rates, utilities, broadband and 24 hour access).

ABOUT THE WORKSPACE
– 24 hour access
– Breakout area
– South Belfast location close to the Lisburn Road with lots of shops, coffee shops and bars within walking distance
– Minimum 3 months contract then on a rolling monthly contract
– 1 months rent required as a deposit

Contracts are for a minimum of 3 months then on a rolling monthly contract.

Interested? Get in touch by emailling christine@blickstudios.org or visit our website for more info: https://blickstudios.org/locations/great-northern-street/
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Our locations:

Blick Shared Studios, Hill Street

46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
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Blick Shared Studios, Cotton Court

30-42 Waring Street, Belfast, BT1 2ED
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Blick Shared Studios, Great Northern St

65 Great Northern Street, Belfast, BT9 7FL
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028 90207832 info@blickstudios.org
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Blick Shared Studios is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland registration number NIC102158
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