Bitmap News

Member Profile: Andrew Nealon

Wednesday, 29 June 2011 15:59

Name: Andrew Nealon, Principal
Occupation: Media Strategist and Consultant
Website: InsertCulture.com

Tell us about your business:
Insert Culture is a full service media strategy and research firm. We provide technology and Web-based solutions for small and medium-sized business. With so many avenues of distribution and promotion available on the Web, Insert Culture helps guide clients down the most beneficial path. Our service list includes marketing and academic research, community management, content creation, technology training, event administration and strategy development.

Are you self-employed?
Insert Culture is in her third year of existence, and I’m self-employed all the way.

Why did you choose the independent route?
If being your own boss isn’t a good enough reason, others are; flexible hours, unlimited vacation, mid-day naps with cats, choice of projects.

What issues have you run into as an independent business owner?
Navigating the first year often felt overwhelming. Learning how to balance multiple clients was a chore, but figuring out taxes every year has proven to be one of the most complicated aspects. That’s getting easier now that my network has grown and I know independent attorneys, accountants and small business consultants that are always willing to share advice with a fellow indie.

Why Coworking?
Besides growing my daytime social circle beyond my cat, I found Insert Culture was growing at a steady pace and these new projects required bringing in graphic designers or Web developers to complete. My cat, while a great sleeper, is not so well versed in branding methods or CSS. The folks I cowork with are.

Any success stories related to issues that, if working for others, would have been difficult to solve?
I’ve already mentioned having a lawyer on hand is a great thing, sharing a coworking space with one is even better. With a working relationship with Bitmap’s local Intellectual Property lawyer, I’ve been able to have five minute conversations in the hall I would have previously spent hours and dollars on getting an outside legal opinion. I probably shouldn’t have said that... I might start getting bills from Phil.

Why did you choose Bitmap as your Coworking home base?
I’d be leaving out a big part of this answer if I didn’t mention that Bitmap is an easy five minute walk from my apartment in Williamsburg. But that’s not the only reason. Bitmap’s aesthetic and collaborative environment make it a wonderful place to call home.

Invasion of the UK Illustrators

Thursday, 23 June 2011 22:49

Whew! It's been a busy month and we've had too much going on to keep the site updated. Lots of new things going on! Starting with:

Awhile back, we conducted a portfolio review for a group (10!) of driven, go-getter student illustrators from the University of Falmouth who were in town from the UK.

We were happy to meet:
Stephie Ginger
Claire Rance
Lewis Shaw (sorry Lewis, we couldn't find your portfolio!)
Grace Hawes
Julie Hrischeva
Liz Rowland
Libby Coutts
Silje Kristiansen
Lisa Prisk
Meryn Cobbin

They were all pretty much awesome and had their own unique styles, so if you're ever looking for an illustrator, we would highly recommend hitting them up! 

Scope Creep! June BKTK Meetup @Bitmap

Thursday, 23 June 2011 20:42

Hey all, Sorry for the late notice, but it's time for our June Meetup!

As usual, we'll meet up on the last Wednesday evening of the month:

Date: Wed, 6/29
Time: 7pm
Location: Bitmap Creative Labs
300 Graham Ave 1st Floor
Williamsburg, Brooklyn

We'll have pizza and beer (donations for food are welcome!) and we'll all need a strong drink or two because this month we'll be discussing one of the most dreaded topics of all: Scope Creep.

Marco Amitrano, Art Director and freelance graphic artist & illustrator, will get the ball rolling by discussing "Scope creep and how unmanaged clients can destroy usability."

I'm sure we've all had experience with scope creep in one form or another and this should be a good opportunity to share horror stories and strategies to help prevent it from both a design, development & project management standpoint.

Hope to see you all next week!

We're Looking for Interns!

Tuesday, 31 May 2011 16:32

Seeking Design/Development Intern
Bitmap Creative Labs, a coworking space in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, is seeking a part-time intern to work with the eight creative agencies operating in our space.

Currently, Bitmap is home to Web and mobile development groups, a digital creative agency, a branding and design firm, a social media marketing boutique and a practicing IP (trademark & copyright) lawyer. Apart, Bitmap's members are some of the most adventurous and creative minds in Brooklyn. Together, Bitmap is a creative powerhouse, collaborating on projects of all sorts, scaling to meet the demands of any client.

Bitmap is seeking a part-time intern to work closely with our members to provide creative and administrative support -- you'll run a few checks to the bank and hand out some flyers, but you'll also do actual design and development work. You'll work closely with established businesses and will have access to all of Bitmap's members & facilities. 

We need someone who is design oriented and technologically savvy. Aesthetics are important, and you should think so too. The perfect intern candidate also Tweets, Facebooks and Photoshops on a regular basis.

Qualifications: 
Current enrollment in a BA/MA program at an accredited college or university. Design, Media or Technology degree-seeker preferable.
Must be able to receive academic credit for internship.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
Works well with a variety of personalities and is a creative problem solver. 

Requirements:
Adobe Creative Suite, Word, Excel
Basic HTML, CSS (Advanced Dev. Work a Plus)
Social Media Platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Etc.)
Your own Laptop

Candidates with previous design, production and/or Web development experience preferred.

Commitment to a minimum of three full days per week.

To Apply:
Send your resume and a short cover letter/email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it on why you're our intern. Be sure to include "Bitmap Internship" in the subject line!

Thursday, May 26: BKTK - May Networking/Drinking!

Tuesday, 17 May 2011 19:01

Alright...it's official...spring is FINALLY here (even if it's rainy and gross today, I'm an optimist...). SO, it's time for a celebration.

As you know, we normally do our Meetups on the last Wednesday of every month, but this month our awesome hosts at Bitmap have a previously scheduled event at the space on 5/25. In fact, the event is a pretty cool workshop featuring BKTK member Phil Kimball.

Check out the details here:
"Philip Z. Kimball, our resident lawyer, will be presenting a workshop on Intellectual Property (Trademark & Copyright) law as it applies to creative freelancers & small business.

This workshop is intended for those that work with media and technology (entrepreneurs/independent contractors/employees) as artists, web/software developers, and designers and will provide a clear and useful background on the different realms of 'intellectual property' and how it applies to your creations."

The workshop is $35 for your average Joe, but BKTK members who want to attend can get admission for only $25! Just email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and let 'em know you want to go.

That said, we still need to get together. We've had really great turnout and great conversation at the last few Meetups, so we figured it's time we have a purely social/fun Meetup:

When: Thurs, 5/26 - 7pm
Where: Harefield Road
769 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn (right next to the Graham L stop in Williamsburg)
What: Drinking and networking!
Harefield Road is a great bar with lots of tasty beers on tap and a nice garden area if it's nice out. We'll just hang out and get to know each other in a relaxed setting. We'll resume our normal format at the end of June.

Hope to see you all next week!