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Our Impact

How Blick’s work has benefitted creative businesses and communities in Northern Ireland.

Social Impact 2021 - 2022

Small Town Big Dream Podcast

smalltownbigdreams.co.uk
Small Town Big Dreams Podcast

My Block Directory for Independent Businesses

My Block Directory for Independent Businesses

Social Impact 2020 - 2021

Belfast Design Pop-up Museum Billboard

@belfastdesignwk
Belfast Design Pop-up Museum Billboard

Belfast Design Pop-up Museum Window Design Exhibition

belfastdesignweek.com
Belfast Design Pop-up Museum Window Design Exhibition Photo by Joe Laverty

Social Impact 2019 - 2020

Blick Academy Business Workshop for Creatives

Blick Academy Business Workshop for Creatives

The Time is Now Talks for Creatives

The Time is Now Talks for Creatives

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Our next creative talk is on Wed 6th November at 7pm in our Hill St studios with graphic recorder and visual facilitator Stéphanie Heckman sharing her story.

Stephanie will talk about how she set up her creative business. Her journey so far as a creative entrepreneur, the highs and lows, what she has learned along the way, advice for others on a similar path and for artists and creatives in general on how to generate an income from their creativity.

There`s more info about Stéphanie below!

Stéphanie Heckman 
Graphic Recorder & Visual Facilitator

Stéphanie Heckman, Dutch originally but based in Northern Ireland, works internationally at conferences as a graphic recorder and visual facilitator. In this role she translates in real-time collective conversations into hand-drawn visual summaries that distill the essence of both content and undercurrent. Her visual summaries transcend language and accessibility barriers, and communicate key takeaways of complex discussions in an engaging, visual way to a much larger audience than those originally present.

Active since 2018, Stéphanie has worked with close to 200 organisations, but focuses on supporting those advancing climate action, peace and reconciliation and leadership development. Since 2020, she collaborates regularly with UN Climate Change and numerous NGOs in the global climate space. She has trail blazed a way for the field of graphic recording to support climate negotiations at the highest level and has led teams of graphic recorders to cover sessions during three consecutive COPs (annual UN climate summits) and related events. In recent years she has trained up two cohorts of graphic recorders through her Visual Practice Apprenticeship Programme, focusing both on the craft of visual practice and business skills as a creative professional.
https://www.stephanieheckman.com/

EVENT DETAILS
DATE: Wed 6th Nov
TIME: 7PM
VENUE: Blick Studios, 46 Hill Street

You can book your free ticket on our website (link in profile)

Oct 21

Open
Our next creative talk is on Wed 6th November at 7pm in our Hill St studios with graphic recorder and visual facilitator Stéphanie Heckman sharing her story. Stephanie will talk about how she set up her creative business. Her journey so far as a creative entrepreneur, the highs and lows, what she has learned along the way, advice for others on a similar path and for artists and creatives in general on how to generate an income from their creativity. There's more info about Stéphanie below! Stéphanie Heckman  Graphic Recorder & Visual Facilitator Stéphanie Heckman, Dutch originally but based in Northern Ireland, works internationally at conferences as a graphic recorder and visual facilitator. In this role she translates in real-time collective conversations into hand-drawn visual summaries that distill the essence of both content and undercurrent. Her visual summaries transcend language and accessibility barriers, and communicate key takeaways of complex discussions in an engaging, visual way to a much larger audience than those originally present. Active since 2018, Stéphanie has worked with close to 200 organisations, but focuses on supporting those advancing climate action, peace and reconciliation and leadership development. Since 2020, she collaborates regularly with UN Climate Change and numerous NGOs in the global climate space. She has trail blazed a way for the field of graphic recording to support climate negotiations at the highest level and has led teams of graphic recorders to cover sessions during three consecutive COPs (annual UN climate summits) and related events. In recent years she has trained up two cohorts of graphic recorders through her Visual Practice Apprenticeship Programme, focusing both on the craft of visual practice and business skills as a creative professional. https://www.stephanieheckman.com/ EVENT DETAILS DATE: Wed 6th Nov TIME: 7PM VENUE: Blick Studios, 46 Hill Street You can book your free ticket on our website (link in profile)

It`s the start of a new month and we are super excited to kick start the month by announcing our next Creative Talk which will be as part of our new Nurture Program with a local creative sharing their story. Speaker details coming soon!

Sign up now via the link in our profile for your free ticket! ✨️ 🌟

Oct 1

Open
It's the start of a new month and we are super excited to kick start the month by announcing our next Creative Talk which will be as part of our new Nurture Program with a local creative sharing their story. Speaker details coming soon! Sign up now via the link in our profile for your free ticket! ✨️ 🌟

Don`t forget it`s the last week to apply for our new creative support program offering free workspace and support for creatives in Belfast!

Here are some of the features of the program

Creative Workspace - Each program participant will have 24/7 access to their own dedicated deskspace as well as use of shared communal facilities throughout the program. In addition they will benefit from the following support:

Monthly one-on-one mentoring sessions – for accountability with Blick founder Christine James

Monthly peer-mentoring group sessions with the other program participants – for peer support, learning, inspiration, community and accountability.

Quarterly finance mentoring sessions – to help with financial planning and advice with Blick and freelance finance manager Rosy James

Monthly industry specific skillshare training workshops for program participants – with current and past Blick residents and team members, sharing their skills and experiences with the program participants

Monthly online business resources, worksheets and exercises – to help you refine your idea, improve your skills and knowledge and for accountability and to establish your creative practice

Quarterly creative talks – by local creatives sharing their creative journey for inspiration and peer learning

Quarterly industry specific skillshare workshops – by local creatives sharing their expertise to improve skills and knowledge

Showcasing and promotional opportunities – on our website and social media and through presenting your work at a showcase event at the end of the project

Closing date: Friday 27th October

For more info visit our website (link in profile) or email christine@blickstudios.org

--

Sep 24

Open
Don't forget it's the last week to apply for our new creative support program offering free workspace and support for creatives in Belfast! Here are some of the features of the program Creative Workspace - Each program participant will have 24/7 access to their own dedicated deskspace as well as use of shared communal facilities throughout the program. In addition they will benefit from the following support: Monthly one-on-one mentoring sessions – for accountability with Blick founder Christine James Monthly peer-mentoring group sessions with the other program participants – for peer support, learning, inspiration, community and accountability. Quarterly finance mentoring sessions – to help with financial planning and advice with Blick and freelance finance manager Rosy James Monthly industry specific skillshare training workshops for program participants – with current and past Blick residents and team members, sharing their skills and experiences with the program participants Monthly online business resources, worksheets and exercises – to help you refine your idea, improve your skills and knowledge and for accountability and to establish your creative practice Quarterly creative talks – by local creatives sharing their creative journey for inspiration and peer learning Quarterly industry specific skillshare workshops – by local creatives sharing their expertise to improve skills and knowledge Showcasing and promotional opportunities – on our website and social media and through presenting your work at a showcase event at the end of the project Closing date: Friday 27th October For more info visit our website (link in profile) or email christine@blickstudios.org --

It`s the last week to apply for our new creative support program! We are offering free workspace and support over an 8-month period for 4 creatives in Belfast to help them develop their creative business or freelance practice! Visit our website or email christine@blickstudios.org for more info

Closing this Friday!

Sep 23

Open
It's the last week to apply for our new creative support program! We are offering free workspace and support over an 8-month period for 4 creatives in Belfast to help them develop their creative business or freelance practice! Visit our website or email christine@blickstudios.org for more info Closing this Friday!

Last chance to sign up for tomorrow`s @creativemorning Fieldtrip on `Designing Your Life Through Doodles & Drawings` at 12pm UK time!

Join us for a fun and interactive workshop and use drawing and doodling to create your own mini zine you can carry around or stick on your wall to help inspire and motivate you to make better life choices to improve your health and wellbeing!

Sep 23

Open
Last chance to sign up for tomorrow's @creativemorning Fieldtrip on 'Designing Your Life Through Doodles & Drawings' at 12pm UK time! Join us for a fun and interactive workshop and use drawing and doodling to create your own mini zine you can carry around or stick on your wall to help inspire and motivate you to make better life choices to improve your health and wellbeing!

Here are some of the benefits you could experience from taking part in our Nurture Creative Incubation Program, which will provide free workspace and support for 4 creatives over an 8 month period:

- Support, community & motivation - from working alongside like-minded creatives in the free workspace and program activities

- Space to focus and work productively - as well as share ideas and inspiration in the free workspace and different program activities

- Support & accountability from monthly one-on-one mentoring to keep you motivated & on track with your creative idea

- Improved finance confidence & knowledge from quarterly finance mentoring

- Improved practical skills & knowledge from skillshare workshops with creative professionals and the different business resources and exercises provided

- Inspiration & motivation from hearing local creatives’ stories at the creative talks and workshops

- Marketing & promotional opportunities through sharing your creative idea through the Blick social media and website and at a showcase event at the end of the program

- Confidence & presentation skills from regularly talking about your work to the group and the public at the showcase event at the end of the program

For more information on the program visit our website link below or in profile or email christine@blickstudios.org

https://blickstudios.org/nurture-support-for-emerging-creatives/

Sep 18

Open
Here are some of the benefits you could experience from taking part in our Nurture Creative Incubation Program, which will provide free workspace and support for 4 creatives over an 8 month period: - Support, community & motivation - from working alongside like-minded creatives in the free workspace and program activities - Space to focus and work productively - as well as share ideas and inspiration in the free workspace and different program activities - Support & accountability from monthly one-on-one mentoring to keep you motivated & on track with your creative idea - Improved finance confidence & knowledge from quarterly finance mentoring - Improved practical skills & knowledge from skillshare workshops with creative professionals and the different business resources and exercises provided - Inspiration & motivation from hearing local creatives’ stories at the creative talks and workshops - Marketing & promotional opportunities through sharing your creative idea through the Blick social media and website and at a showcase event at the end of the program - Confidence & presentation skills from regularly talking about your work to the group and the public at the showcase event at the end of the program For more information on the program visit our website link below or in profile or email christine@blickstudios.org https://blickstudios.org/nurture-support-for-emerging-creatives/

As part of our new international collaborative project Design Your Life we are hosting a series of online design-led workshops to imagine, explore ​and create new habits and beliefs. 

- - DESIGN YOUR LIFE THROUGH DOODLES & DRAWINGS - -

About the workshops

Design your life to improve your health and wellbeing through doodling, drawing and collaging in this interactive visual journaling workshop.

Use the power of doodling, drawing, cutting and sticking to help you look inward, reflect on your life and lifestyle and use the principles of design to help you redesign a healthier, happier life.

 

Workshop agendas

The Past. We will begin the fieldtrip by exploring our past. Examining past choices, habits and any regrets, or unprocessed thoughts or feelings we may be holding on to that are impacting our health and wellbeing.

The Present. In the second part of the fieldtrip, we will reflect on our current lives and lifestyles exploring the many different individual daily decisions and choices we all make which impact how we feel, our health and wellbeing, how we live our lives and almost everything that happens in our lives.

The Future. We will use design thinking principles in the final part of the fieldtrip to help us to imagine small, sustainable changes we can each make to design our future lives and lifestyles to improve our health and well-being.

 

What to know or bring to the workshops

Pen or pencil, crayons or colouring pencils
A minimum of 2 sheets of A4 paper
Optional: masking tape or washi tape, scissors, glue and magazine images

Workshop time and dates:

Online zoom workshop:
Date: Monday 23rd September
Time: 11.45am - 1.00pm

Creative mornings fieldtrip:
Date: Tuesday 24th September
Time: 12.00 - 1.00pm

You can sign up to both via our events and workshops website page (link in profile) ✨️

Workshop time and dates:

Online zoom workshop: 

Date: Monday 23rd September

Time: 11.45am - 1.00pm

Creative mornings fieldtrip:

Date: Tuesday 24th September 

Time: 12.00 - 1.00pm

Links to sign up for both are in our profile

Sep 13

Open
As part of our new international collaborative project Design Your Life we are hosting a series of online design-led workshops to imagine, explore ​and create new habits and beliefs.  - - DESIGN YOUR LIFE THROUGH DOODLES & DRAWINGS - - About the workshops Design your life to improve your health and wellbeing through doodling, drawing and collaging in this interactive visual journaling workshop. Use the power of doodling, drawing, cutting and sticking to help you look inward, reflect on your life and lifestyle and use the principles of design to help you redesign a healthier, happier life.   Workshop agendas The Past. We will begin the fieldtrip by exploring our past. Examining past choices, habits and any regrets, or unprocessed thoughts or feelings we may be holding on to that are impacting our health and wellbeing. The Present. In the second part of the fieldtrip, we will reflect on our current lives and lifestyles exploring the many different individual daily decisions and choices we all make which impact how we feel, our health and wellbeing, how we live our lives and almost everything that happens in our lives. The Future. We will use design thinking principles in the final part of the fieldtrip to help us to imagine small, sustainable changes we can each make to design our future lives and lifestyles to improve our health and well-being.   What to know or bring to the workshops Pen or pencil, crayons or colouring pencils A minimum of 2 sheets of A4 paper Optional: masking tape or washi tape, scissors, glue and magazine images Workshop time and dates: Online zoom workshop: Date: Monday 23rd September Time: 11.45am - 1.00pm Creative mornings fieldtrip: Date: Tuesday 24th September Time: 12.00 - 1.00pm You can sign up to both via our events and workshops website page (link in profile) ✨️ Workshop time and dates: Online zoom workshop:  Date: Monday 23rd September Time: 11.45am - 1.00pm Creative mornings fieldtrip: Date: Tuesday 24th September  Time: 12.00 - 1.00pm Links to sign up for both are in our profile

On our new 8-month incubation program starting this October 4 emerging creatives will each get bespoke business support and free shared creative workspace in our new South Belfast studios. Each program participant will have 24/7 access to their own dedicated deskspace as well as use of shared communal facilities throughout the program. For more info on the program and support available visit our website (link in profile)

Sep 10

Open
On our new 8-month incubation program starting this October 4 emerging creatives will each get bespoke business support and free shared creative workspace in our new South Belfast studios. Each program participant will have 24/7 access to their own dedicated deskspace as well as use of shared communal facilities throughout the program. For more info on the program and support available visit our website (link in profile)

Our lovely Cotton Court studios, which are right opposite the Merchant Hotel in the Cathedral Quarter!

Sep 9

Open
Our lovely Cotton Court studios, which are right opposite the Merchant Hotel in the Cathedral Quarter!

Applications are now open for our new creative incubation program offering 4 emerging creatives workspace and support to develop their creative idea over an 8-month period! for more info visit our website (link in profile)

Sep 6

Open
Applications are now open for our new creative incubation program offering 4 emerging creatives workspace and support to develop their creative idea over an 8-month period! for more info visit our website (link in profile)

We are very excited to announce a brand new project we have been working on called “Design Your Life”

An international collaboration between The Design ​Salon which we are a partner of alongside Karishma Kusurkar and Kylie Chan Illustration Design Your Life will feature an ​interactive installation at AIRSIDE Hong Kong and a ​series of design-led workshops to imagine, explore ​and create new habits and beliefs.

Design Your Life has been selected to be a part of ​the British Council’s SPARK 2024 Festival in Hong Kong ​which will take place this October.

More info coming soon!

Sep 5

Open
We are very excited to announce a brand new project we have been working on called “Design Your Life” An international collaboration between The Design ​Salon which we are a partner of alongside Karishma Kusurkar and Kylie Chan Illustration Design Your Life will feature an ​interactive installation at AIRSIDE Hong Kong and a ​series of design-led workshops to imagine, explore ​and create new habits and beliefs. Design Your Life has been selected to be a part of ​the British Council’s SPARK 2024 Festival in Hong Kong ​which will take place this October. More info coming soon!

NURTURE CREATIVE INCUBATION PROGRAM

An 8-month program to help 4 emerging creatives in Belfast establish their creative practice. Providing bespoke business support and free shared creative workspace in our new South Belfast studios. Each program participant will have 24/7 access to their own dedicated deskspace as well as use of shared communal facilities throughout the program. In addition they will benefit from the following support:

Monthly one-on-one mentoring sessions – for accountability with Blick founder Christine James

Monthly peer-mentoring group sessions with the other program participants – for peer support, learning, inspiration, community and accountability.

Quarterly finance mentoring sessions – to help with financial planning and advice with Blick and freelance finance manager Rosy James

Monthly industry specific skillshare training workshops for program participants – with current and past Blick residents and team members, sharing their skills and experiences with the program participants

Monthly online business resources, worksheets and exercises – to help you refine your idea, improve your skills and knowledge and for accountability and to establish your creative practice

Quarterly creative talks – by local creatives sharing their creative journey for inspiration and peer learning

Quarterly industry specific skillshare workshops – by local creatives sharing their expertise to improve skills and knowledge

Showcasing and promotional opportunities – on our website and social media and through presenting your work at a showcase event at the end of the project

 

Program dates:

1st October 2024 – 31st May 2025

For more info visit our website (link in profile) or get in touch!

Sep 4

Open
NURTURE CREATIVE INCUBATION PROGRAM An 8-month program to help 4 emerging creatives in Belfast establish their creative practice. Providing bespoke business support and free shared creative workspace in our new South Belfast studios. Each program participant will have 24/7 access to their own dedicated deskspace as well as use of shared communal facilities throughout the program. In addition they will benefit from the following support: Monthly one-on-one mentoring sessions – for accountability with Blick founder Christine James Monthly peer-mentoring group sessions with the other program participants – for peer support, learning, inspiration, community and accountability. Quarterly finance mentoring sessions – to help with financial planning and advice with Blick and freelance finance manager Rosy James Monthly industry specific skillshare training workshops for program participants – with current and past Blick residents and team members, sharing their skills and experiences with the program participants Monthly online business resources, worksheets and exercises – to help you refine your idea, improve your skills and knowledge and for accountability and to establish your creative practice Quarterly creative talks – by local creatives sharing their creative journey for inspiration and peer learning Quarterly industry specific skillshare workshops – by local creatives sharing their expertise to improve skills and knowledge Showcasing and promotional opportunities – on our website and social media and through presenting your work at a showcase event at the end of the project   Program dates: 1st October 2024 – 31st May 2025 For more info visit our website (link in profile) or get in touch!