Blick Projects

A selection of our different creative projects, programmes and events

Current Projects

Nurture Creative Incubation Program

Nurture Support for Emerging Creatives

An 8-month program providing bespoke meaningful business support within a nurturing creative environment to help 4 emerging freelance or self employed creatives to successfully establish their creative practice and to...

The Sustainable Pop Up Design Musuem

Pop Up Design Museum

As part of our work with The Design Salon we have been helping to curate the 3rd Pop Up Design Museum on the 12th & 13th November at The Europa...

Designing Your Life through Doodles and Drawings to Improve Your Health and Wellbeing

Design your life to improve your health and wellbeing through doodling, drawing and collaging in this interactive visual journaling workshop. In this workshop illustrator Kylie Chan will share her own...

Our Time is Now

A video podcast series sharing the stories of 5 Belfast creatives. Exploring how they have built their businesses, overcome challenges and navigated the shifts and changes throughout their creative journeys....

Blick Studios placeholder image

Womenfolk Peer Mentoring

Monthly get-togethers for creative women to meet and connect with other like-minded women.

Flock NI

Flock NI is the new trading arm of Blick. Flock is a company that delivers multidisciplinary creative projects. Flock brings together the creative talent involved with Blick to work on creative...

Belfast Design Week

Belfast Design Week celebrates design in all its forms in an annual week-long series of events encompassing talks, workshops, pop-ups, exhibitions and interactive elements focusing on design.

Womenfolk

Womenfolk is a project celebrating creative women entrepreneurs in Northern Ireland. The project aims to encourage more women to start up their own creative businesses through showcasing the profiles of...

Share 6

At Share 6, 6 creative speakers share their stories over 60 minutes on a theme with an audience Q&A at the end. Previous topics have included “Fashioning the future,” “Made...

Graduate Entrepreneurs in Residence

The Graduate Entrepreneurs in Residence programme is designed to support newly creative graduates to develop their business ideas with the help of free studio space and mentorship. Keep an eye...

Exhibitions at Blick

Exhibitions at Blick include current residents “Our Time is Now”, “Urban Design Callenge”, “Womenfolk”, “Refugees Welcome T-Shirt Design Challenge”, “The Art of the Comic” and “Failures” and aim to support...

Past Projects

Blick Summer 2023 Events

We developed a new summer 2023 program of support for creatives in Belfast. Focusing on informal action-led practical and inspiring workshops and get-togethers, bringing creatives together to meet, connect, and...

Grow Your Own Way

Grow Your Own Way was a collaborative project we developed with Belfast Design Week and VentureFolk combining design and growing to explore the potential for supporting residents to grow their...

Belfast Design Popup Museum Window Design of Oh! Donuts by Alex Synge First47 photo by Joe Laverty Photography

Popup Design Museum

The Popup Design Museum involved a design trail and exhibition as part of Belfast Design Week within shop windows and local independent small businesses and hotels.

Big Design Day Out

The Big Design Day Out was a project we developed for Belfast Design Week with over 50 different city centre design related events and activities for people of all ages...

Urban Design Challenge

The Urban Design Challenge sponsored by Destination CQ was a project we developed to bring together emerging designers to come together to design Urban Design ideas and interventions for the...

The World Turned Upside Down

Rewriting the Narrative was a 4-part audio documentary series exploring the experiences and personal stories of creatives during the Covid-19 crisis. Looking at how the pandemic impacted on the work,...

Womenfolk Industry Expert Videos

We created a series of free industry expert videos in collaboration with Creating A Space for Ulster Bank on topics including managing your finances, design thinking, developing your brand and...

Design Business Bootcamp

The Design Business Bootcamp was a short course with a leading design expert to develop design startups and give them the support and ideas for the next steps of their...

My Block

My Block

My Block celebrates and showcases independent businesses and culture and is supported by Innovate UK.

Design Startup: Build Your Own

Design Startup was a 3 day business start-up program covering three of the key elements of getting your business off the ground – ideation, prototyping and selling your work. This...

Womenfolk Dig Deep

Dig Deep

Dig Deep was a creative enterprise support program that brought young women (18 – 30) from different backgrounds NI & BAME together in a supportive and nurturing environment over a...

Great Creators Podcast

Great Creators Podcast was a series sharing the diverse stories of design and entrepreneurship in Northern Ireland. Featuring start-ups, community-led projects, and established businesses which together make up the rich...

timeisnowbanner-01

The Time is Now

The Time is Now was a collaborative project with Creating a Space focusing on honest and meaningful conversation style events for early stage creative entrepreneurs. Keep an eye on our...

Small Town Big Dreams

Small Town Big Dreams is a collaborative project between Blick Shared Studios, Karishma Kusurkar and Graeme Watson. A podcast celebrating Northern Ireland’s creative entrepreneurs and telling their stories. Small Town Big...

The Design Salon

A design collective for people in the design industry in Northern Ireland, to discuss projects and plans that are contemporary, cutting-edge and promote design locally and internationally.

Late Night Design

A chance to see behind the scenes of some of Belfast’s most creative design studios and meet and connect with other design industry professionals

Blick Academy

Blick Academy was an ongoing series of events and workshops for creative industry start-ups, freelancers and small businesses all about sharing skills and knowledge within the creative community to help...

NEST Creative Incubation Programme

The NEST program was a bespoke business support program we developed and managed for Eighty81 Creative Workspace in Derry-Londonderry for creative and digital start-ups. The program included affordable workspace, industry...

The Burning Question

The Burning Question is a panel discussion with design industry leaders. This interactive event seeks to find out the human element behind businesses through the sharing of stories as well...

Eighty81 Club for Creative Startups

Eighty81 Club for Creative Startups was a community for startups, entrepreneurs and small businesses in Derry-Londonderry. It was a series of events including workshops, clinics and case studies with industry...

25 Pop Up

25 is a design-led pop up showcasing and retailing independent design brands with products all priced at £25 or under, making it affordable for everyone. 25 Pop Up has been...

The Faculty

The Faculty was a collaborative project with Seedhead arts offering courses and workshops designed to teach you a new creative skill – be it photography, film-making, street art, flower arranging, stand-up...

- - 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

- - 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/

Our beautiful Hill Street Studios breakout space. Perfect for an afternoon coffee break in the sun and the chance to step away from your desk for a bit ☕️

Apr 8

Our beautiful Hill Street Studios breakout space. Perfect for an afternoon coffee break in the sun and the chance to step away from your desk for a bit ☕️

- -LAST CHANCE TO BOOK!! CREATIVE TALK - ILLUSTRATOR LAUREN KELSO - -

Our next creative talk is this Wednesday with award-winning illustrator Lauren Kelso @laurenkelsoillustrator (https://laurenkelso.uk/) sharing her creative story.

Inspired by travel, fashion and the world, Lauren creates a variety of illustration prints, greeting cards and more and has recently opened her own bricks and mortar store and studio!

EVENT DETAILS
DATE: Wednesday 9th April
TIME: 7pm - 8pm
VENUE: Blick Hill St

MORE INFO & FREE TICKETS (link below and in profile) https://blickstudios.org/events/creative-talk-with-illustrator-lauren-kelso/

Apr 7

The second part of our interview with @laurenkelsoillustrator who is sharing her story at our next Creative Talk this Wednesday evening!

Apr 6

The second part of our interview with @laurenkelsoillustrator who is sharing her story at our next Creative Talk this Wednesday evening!

Ahead of her talk for us on Wednesday evening award winning freelance illustrator Lauren Kelso @laurenkelsoillustrator did a short interview for us on her creative journey so far including her recent experience opening her own studio and shop!

Here is part 1 of the interview, you can also read the full interview on our website blog (link in profile)

To hear Lauren`s story in person you can sign up to attend our talk this Wednesday evening from 7-8pm in our Hill Street Studios!

https://blickstudios.org/events/creative-talk-with-illustrator-lauren-kelso/

Apr 5

Our next Blick Creative Talk is this Wednesday with local creative @laurenkelsoillustrator sharing her creative story

Lauren graduated in just 2023 but has already achieved so much and has just recently opened her own bricks-and-mortar shop and studio.

In this creative talk, Lauren will share her experiences and some of the highs and lows she has experienced on her creative business journey.

EVENT DETAILS:

Event Date(s): Wednesday, 9th April
Event Time: 7pm-8pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB

For more information and to book visit the events page of our website (link in profile and below)

https://blickstudios.org/events/creative-talk-with-illustrator-lauren-kelso/

Apr 4

Last Friday was the first Creative Hubs Meetup of 2025, kindly hosted by @vaultartistsni in their Marlborough House studios in Belfast City Centre!

It was great to have so many different people working in the creative hubs sector in the same room, talking about shared issues and interests and how we can work together to support each other!

Of course we were so busy talking we forgot to get a pic of the whole group together, but here are a few pics of the tour of the studios including Artist @lindamcburney`s studio which has the best view!

Thanks to everyone who came along including
@pssquaredbelfast @millennium_court @courthousebangor @pancake.studios_ @belfastfilmmakingclub
@moneydarragh_hub @gallery545online and @creativeexchange and to Linda and the other artists for showing us their studios, Neal from Vault for hosting and Jane Morrow @namej_janem for presenting her work on creative workspaces!

Apr 4

Last Friday was the first Creative Hubs Meetup of 2025, kindly hosted by @vaultartistsni in their Marlborough House studios in Belfast City Centre!

It was great to have so many different people working in the creative hubs sector in the same room, talking about shared issues and interests and how we can work together to support each other!

Of course we were so busy talking we forgot to get a pic of the whole group together, but here are a few pics of the tour of the studios including Artist @lindamcburney's studio which has the best view!

Thanks to everyone who came along including
@pssquaredbelfast @millennium_court @courthousebangor @pancake.studios_ @belfastfilmmakingclub
@moneydarragh_hub @gallery545online and @creativeexchange and to Linda and the other artists for showing us their studios, Neal from Vault for hosting and Jane Morrow @namej_janem for presenting her work on creative workspaces!

Thanks to everyone who joined us last night for our Adventures in ChatGPT workshop, especially because it was such a lovely sunny evening!

Thanks also to Graeme Watson @graeme_theory and Katya Buryakova @stormy_kate from @homewerk.project for hosting!

Apr 3

Thanks to everyone who joined us last night for our Adventures in ChatGPT workshop, especially because it was such a lovely sunny evening!

Thanks also to Graeme Watson @graeme_theory and Katya Buryakova @stormy_kate from @homewerk.project for hosting!

For anyone looking to find our Hill Street Studios for events or workshops or anyone who is just curious! They are right in the middle of the Cathedral Quarter. In fact you have probably walked past the entrance on a night out!

Apr 2

For anyone looking to find our Hill Street Studios for events or workshops or anyone who is just curious! They are right in the middle of the Cathedral Quarter. In fact you have probably walked past the entrance on a night out!

Just a week to go until our next Blick Creative Talk! The local creative very kindly sharing their story for us at our April Creative Talk is award-winning Illustrator Lauren Kelso @laurenkelsoillustrator

Lauren graduated in just 2023 but has already achieved so much and has just recently opened her own bricks-and-mortar shop and studio.

In this creative talk, Lauren will share her experiences and some of the highs and lows she has experienced on her creative business journey.

EVENT DETAILS:

Event Date(s): Wednesday, 9th April
Event Time: 7pm-8pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB

For more information and to book visit the events page of our website (link in profile and below)

https://blickstudios.org/events/creative-talk-with-illustrator-lauren-kelso/

Apr 2

- - APRIL AT BLICK - UPCOMING EVENTS, WORKSHOPS & MEETUPS FOR CREATIVES - -

CREATIVE SKILLS WORKSHOP - ADVENTURES IN CHAT GPT - SOLD OUT
Wednesday 2nd April
7pm - 9pm

CREATIVE TALK - ILLUSTRATOR LAUREN KELSO
Wednesday 9th April
7pm - 9pm

WOMENFOLK PEER MENTORING
Tuesday 29th April
7pm - 9pm

https://blickstudios.org/events/

Apr 1

- - APRIL AT BLICK - UPCOMING EVENTS, WORKSHOPS & MEETUPS FOR CREATIVES - -

CREATIVE SKILLS WORKSHOP - ADVENTURES IN CHAT GPT - SOLD OUT
Wednesday 2nd April
7pm - 9pm

CREATIVE TALK - ILLUSTRATOR LAUREN KELSO
Wednesday 9th April
7pm - 9pm

WOMENFOLK PEER MENTORING
Tuesday 29th April
7pm - 9pm

https://blickstudios.org/events/

- - `DIY YOUR BRAND` RESOURCES FOR CREATIVES - PART 2 - -

A list of super useful resources for emerging creatives looking to DIY their branding compiled by Laura Whitehouse founder of Mighty Fine Design
@mightyfinedesign who recently hosted a creative skills workshop for us on `How to DIY Your Brand` for creative business owners.

To get inspired

visualjournal.it

brandarchive.xyz

pinterest.co.uk

To generate colour palettes (and see them in action)

coolors.co
P.s. Use the ‘Tools’ button top right to check contrast and see the palette visualiser

To start meddling around with fonts, icons, and social posts

www.canva.com

For great free fonts

Google Fonts can be downloaded and added into all sorts

To get inspired by font pairings

www.fontpair.co/fonts

To find free photos

www.unsplash.com
Please just no men shaking hands across a table!

A great email signature maker

www.hubspot.com/email-signature-generator

www.honeybook.com/email-signature

For simple websites (that you can make yourself)

www.squarespace.com

To edit photos you’ve taken yourself

Download the Adobe Lightroom CC app

Full list can be found on our website (link in profile and below)

https://blickstudios.org/resources/how-to-diy-your-brand-in-partnership-with-mighty-fine-design/

Mar 31

Part 2 of our interview with Homewerk founders husband and wife team Katya and Graeme ahead of their workshop for us on Wednesday 2nd April on ChatGPT for creatives
You can read the complete interview on our website blog (link below and in profile) https://blickstudios.org/blog/an-interview-with-graeme-and-katya-founders-of-homewerk/

You can also sign upon our website for their workshop Adventures in ChatGPT which is at 7pm on Wednesday 2nd April in our Hill St studios!
(link below and in profile)

https://blickstudios.org/events/creative-skills-workshop-adventures-in-chatgpt/

Mar 30

Ahead of their workshop for us on Wednesday 2nd April on ChatGPT for creatives we have done an interview with Homewerk founders Katya and Graeme to find out a bit about them and their new business Homewerk!

Here’s the first part of the interview or you can read the complete interview on our website blog (link below or on profile): https://blickstudios.org/blog/an-interview-with-graeme-and-katya-founders-of-homewerk/

You can also sign upon our website for their workshop Adventures in ChatGPT which is at 7pm on Wednesday 2nd April in our Hill St studios!

https://blickstudios.org/events/creative-skills-workshop-adventures-in-chatgpt/

Mar 29

- - `DIY YOUR BRAND` RESOURCES FOR CREATIVES - PART 1 - -

Laura Whitehouse, founder of
@mightyfinedesign recently hosted a creative skills workshop for us on `How to DIY Your Brand` for creative business owners

Following the workshop, Laura has very kindly shared this amazing Brand Thinkin` Kit Worksheet, which you can download from the creative resources section of our website to help you on your DIY branding journey. She has also shared other useful resources and her full presentation. You can find everything on our website (link in profile) ✨️

Mar 28

Meet the facilitators of our next creative skills workshop - Adventures in ChatGPT `Homewerk` @homewerk.project

Graeme Watson ��@graeme_theory and Katya Buryakova @stormy_kate are the founders of Homewerk, a project that designs workshops, courses and projects to give creative professionals time, space and inspiration to learn new tools and tricks, and make new connections.

Graeme Watson has worked in marketing, communication and events in higher education and the arts for almost two decades, and played a leading role in building the stand-up comedy scene in Northern Ireland through his production company The Infinite Jest. Graeme also worked in collaboration with us in the past as a co-creator and co-presenter of the Small Town Big Dreams creative industries podcast.

Katya Buryakova is an artist, designer, and educator with a background in fine art and design. She graduated from the Moscow Academic Art College and the National Design Institute before moving to Belfast to complete her Master’s in Fine Art.

With experience teaching painting, composition, and design, she now helps craft makers boost their digital presence at Craft NI. Now, as Craft NI’s Digital Development Officer, she oversees website development and design while helping craft makers improve their digital presence through running workshops on Canva, Photoshop, Video Editing tools and social media marketing.

Beyond her work at Craft NI, Katya continues her artistic practice, focusing primarily on digital art.

We have an interview with Graeme and Katya on our website

Or you can also still book tickets to attend their FREE workshop!

WORKSHOP DETAILS
�Event Date(s): April 2, 2025
Event Time: 7.00pm - 9.00pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: Free

�Book your place on our website link in profile

Mar 27

- - ONE WEEK TO GO - CREATIVE SKILLS WORKSHOP - ADVENTURES IN CHATGPT - -

Our next creative skills workshop is all about ChatGPT for Creatives.
Helping you explore some of practical ways as a creative professional you can integrate it into your work life
In this workshop session for beginners, Graeme Watson and Katya Buryakova will explain some of the major controversies and opportunities around using ChatGPT in your work.

ABOUT GRAEME & KATYA:
Graeme Watson and Katya Buryakova are the founders of Homewerk, a project that designs workshops, courses and projects to give creative professionals time, space and inspiration to learn new tools and tricks, and make new connections.

EVENT DETAILS:
Event Date(s): April 2, 2025
Event Time: 7.00pm - 9.00pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: Free

Book on our website. Link below and in profile
https://blickstudios.org/events/creative-skills-workshop-adventures-in-chatgpt/

Mar 26

- - CREATIVE TALK - ILLUSTRATOR LAUREN KELSO - -

Join us for our April Blick Creative Talk on Wednesday 9th April with upcoming illustrator Lauren Kelso @laurenkelsoillustrator sharing her creative story!

At Blick we like to share the stories of creatives at different stages of their creative journey as inspiration for others at a similar stage in their own journey. Our April creative talk is with Lauren Kelso an award-winning freelance illustrator who graduated in just 2023, but who has already achieved so much and is currently in the process of opening her own opening her own bricks-and-mortar shop and studio. In this creative talk Lauren will share her experiences and some of the highs and lows she has experienced on her creative business journey.�

About Lauren:
Lauren Kelso is an Award-Winning Illustrator based in Ballymena who has completed illustration work for businesses such as Galgorm Resort, Ulster Orchestra, Digg Deep for Kids Charity and others. Lauren is inspired by fashion, travel and the world, often creating illustrations using ink and a cocktail stick, collage material and created textures. She loves to be experimental within her practice, enjoying the process and embracing the unknown.

Alongside selling her illustration prints and more through attending in-person markets/pop-ups, her online shop and through various stockists around Northern Ireland, Lauren is opening her own bricks-and-mortar shop & studio in Raceview Mill in Broughshane. This will be a creative shop where people are welcome to come and browse and buy illustration gifts for themselves and/or friends and family and the premises will also provide a working studio space for her to complete freelance client jobs etc. The space will also be used for delivering creative workshops and Lauren is really looking forward to this next step in this exciting season.

Lauren graduated in July 2023 with a First Class Honours Degree in Graphic Design & Illustration and following graduation, Lauren was selected to be a Graduate in Residence for the Illustration course at UU Belfast School of Art where she completed the First Steps to Teaching course, delivered a range of presentations and

Mar 24

- - CREATIVE TALK - ILLUSTRATOR LAUREN KELSO - -

Join us for our April Blick Creative Talk on Wednesday 9th April with upcoming illustrator Lauren Kelso @laurenkelsoillustrator sharing her creative story!

At Blick we like to share the stories of creatives at different stages of their creative journey as inspiration for others at a similar stage in their own journey. Our April creative talk is with Lauren Kelso an award-winning freelance illustrator who graduated in just 2023, but who has already achieved so much and is currently in the process of opening her own opening her own bricks-and-mortar shop and studio. In this creative talk Lauren will share her experiences and some of the highs and lows she has experienced on her creative business journey.�

About Lauren:
Lauren Kelso is an Award-Winning Illustrator based in Ballymena who has completed illustration work for businesses such as Galgorm Resort, Ulster Orchestra, Digg Deep for Kids Charity and others. Lauren is inspired by fashion, travel and the world, often creating illustrations using ink and a cocktail stick, collage material and created textures. She loves to be experimental within her practice, enjoying the process and embracing the unknown.

Alongside selling her illustration prints and more through attending in-person markets/pop-ups, her online shop and through various stockists around Northern Ireland, Lauren is opening her own bricks-and-mortar shop & studio in Raceview Mill in Broughshane. This will be a creative shop where people are welcome to come and browse and buy illustration gifts for themselves and/or friends and family and the premises will also provide a working studio space for her to complete freelance client jobs etc. The space will also be used for delivering creative workshops and Lauren is really looking forward to this next step in this exciting season.

Lauren graduated in July 2023 with a First Class Honours Degree in Graphic Design & Illustration and following graduation, Lauren was selected to be a Graduate in Residence for the Illustration course at UU Belfast School of Art where she completed the First Steps to Teaching course, delivered a range of presentations and

Happy Sunny Monday in our beautiful Great Northern Street Studios where we have a small private studio coming available from April! Get in touch if you would like more info 🌞 ☀️

We have loads coming up over the next couple of weeks!

- Womenfolk Peer mentoring - Tuesday 25th March 7pm, Blick Hill Street

- Creative Hubs Meetup - Friday 28th March, 11am, Vault Artist Studios

- Creative Skills Workshop - Adventures in ChatGPT - Wed 2nd April, 7pm, Blick Hill Street

- Creative Talk - Lauren Kelso Illustrator - Wed 9th April, 7pm, Blick Hill Street

More info and booking details for all on our website blickstudios.org/events or links in profile ✨️ ✨️

Mar 24

Thanks to everyone who joined us on Wednesday evening for a brilliant, intimate and super informative creative talk by Juliette founder of Le Contour Contemporary Candle Company @lecontourcandles it was a great evening! I learned so much and really loved Juliette`s energy and her mindset. Lots to try and emulate in my own work when dealing with the ebbs and flows and ups and downs of running a creative business!

Mar 21

Thanks to everyone who joined us on Wednesday evening for a brilliant, intimate and super informative creative talk by Juliette founder of Le Contour Contemporary Candle Company @lecontourcandles it was a great evening! I learned so much and really loved Juliette's energy and her mindset. Lots to try and emulate in my own work when dealing with the ebbs and flows and ups and downs of running a creative business!