Bitmap News

Free Day at Bitmap this Thursday!

Monday, 18 July 2011 17:41

Yeah, you read that right - we're opening our studios for a FREE DAY on Thursday, July 21st!

Come in during our normal business hours (10am-6pm) and check out what we've got going on. Meet our current members and enjoy as much free coffee and WIFI as you can drink in!

Word. 

Member Profile: Rob Barnickel

Wednesday, 13 July 2011 11:07

Name: Rob Barnickel
Occupation: Principal, Barnickel Design
Website: BarnickelDesign.com

Tell us about your business:
So let me tell you about my business (cue Steve Zissou music)...

We are a botique brand development studio specialing in working with start-up companies, but we also enjoy a good re-brand or brand makeover. When clients come to us to design a logo and to brand their business or product we learn as much about the client, their business and their competition to produce an appropriate brand solution that separates them from the crowd.

Are you self-employed?
Yup 

Why did you choose the independent route?
After spending a lot of time at two different start-up companies helping them launch, brand and develop said companies I decided it was time to start putting the sweat and tears into my own business.

What issues have you run into as an independent business owner?
Bookeeping and general administrative work along with seeking new clients while keeping my current clients happy takes up about 60% of my time. I was depressed at first about having less time to design and create, but I've realized that having less design time makes me focus on the projects that I am best at and enjoy the most.

Why Coworking?
The first two years I started and ran my business from my living room. My wife and I have a small apartment and I definitely felt the space getting smaller in that second year. As a creative person it's very important for me to be around other creatives so we can push each other's work and be exposed to new things and ways of working. Also, it's just nice to be around people during the workday... eating alone every day sucks!

Any success stories related to issues that, if working for others, would have been difficult to solve?
It's definitely nice to be the one with final say. I have turned down jobs that I felt just weren't a good fit for my studio, but when I was working for other studios I saw some pretty bad decisions being made in that regard that ended up being disastrous for the studio as well as the client.

Why did you choose Bitmap as your Coworking home base?
My wife and I walked by Bitmap on our way home from the gym for months before the space opened. We were both excited at the prospect of having such a great space to work in that is just blocks from our apartment, but it was just the vision for a collaborative atmosphere that was most exciting to us. I'm already working on a project with one of the resident web developers and have pitched several projects with other members of the space. Plus you get free coffee!

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!