AJ Capital Partners’ Post

Perseverance Works. The Creative Hub of Shoreditch. At the hub of creativity in London is Shoreditch. And at the hub of creativity in Shoreditch is the thriving community of businesses that is Perseverance Works. Uniquely, PW is not a shared workspace – each of the businesses here, which include architects, graphic designers, photographers, TV post-production companies, editors and many more, either owns their own space or leases it directly from the owner. Each owner is also a shareholder in PWFL (Perseverance Works Freeholders Ltd), the company that manages the whole entity. So everyone, freeholders and leaseholders alike, has quick and easy access to discussions about how the site should develop and how it should be run. So you get the benefits of having your own studio, office or workshop while mixing and mingling with other like-minded businesses. You also get the benefit of some of the most advanced flexible fibreoptic connectivity, funded by a government grant of £90,000 and designed to be ready for every and any new development as it comes along. Speak to any of our resident businesses and you will hear the same thing – the atmosphere of creativity and cooperation reaches levels you won’t find anywhere else in London. Perseverance Works has its own zeitgeist, its own highly-productive, creatively-charged ambience. It is far more than just an assembly of interesting spaces in an enviable location. https://lnkd.in/dBbc9Mq

Buckle up, Ottawa creatives! The Ottawa Design Club is back with an event that's more electrifying than accidentally sticking a fork in a toaster (0/10, do not recommend BTW). 👁️🗨️ Imagine a place where "thinking outside the box" isn't just a tired office poster slogan but a lifestyle and where playing it safe is about as popular as anchovies on pizza. We're here to twist, shout, and redefine what it means to create. We will talk about finding your true artsy self, your brand, and maybe even the meaning of life (no guarantees on that last one, though). 🎙️ Meet our rebel leaders: Joel MacKenzie: The animation wizard who probably dreams in cartoons. Emma O.: An artist whose work is so out of this world, it gives the Milky Way a run for its money. Pearly Pouponneau: A visual artist so creative, she makes rainbows jealous. 🎟️ Snag your tickets on Eventbrite before they're all out: https://lnkd.in/dChQbzBm What's in it for you? 🤝 Make pals with the coolest cats in the creative alley during our networking hour. It's chill, we promise—no awkward handshakes here. 🎤 Get your mind blown by our speakers. Warning: Side effects may include inspiration overload. 📘 Grab a zine! Collect them all! 🍕 Snack, sip, and be merry! Light bites on us, drinks at the bar 🕕 Here's the rundown: 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. - Mingling, munching, and sipping 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. - Brain tickling by our speakers 8:30 - 9:00 p.m. - More schmoozing and boozing 📍 Don't miss this. Seriously, you'll have FOMO bigger than a T-Rex trying to do a push-up. Let's defy the norm together and make something unforgettable. See you there! #Ottawa #Designcommunity #SpeakerEvent #Creativity

From GAC DESIGN Film production…

Last week the Leopard Co Studio Team had the pleasure of visiting the Birmingham Design Festival! ✨ Lucky for us, it was just a short walk from the office so we eagerly popped over to dive into some of the amazing talks and workshops on offer. Check out my mini vlog to see what we got up to! 😊 First on the agenda, Joey and I headed to Laura Tinland’s talk on ‘Art and Anxiety: Trust the process’. She touched on some really important topics, and we were treated to seeing her incredible illustrations. Here are my key takeaways: 🖋  Recognising you have an "intolerance to uncertainty" is the first step to working on it 🖋 In a world where social media content is somewhat key to developing your brand, be wary to not create content at the cost of your art. 🖋 When you get stuck, remember to: Take yourself away, look back through old work, ride it out and laugh at yourself! Meanwhile, Joseph checked out the PHORM X BDF exhibition and got some super cool content from his ‘Walk and Draw’ workshop with Abbie Stephen, so of course I had to pop this in the video! Here are Joe's thoughts about the experience: 🖌 It was good to learn a new way of creatively documenting a sense of place and to do what the theme of the festival was - learn a new process. 🖌  A good thing to get creative freely, without much restriction. 🖌  It was nice to draw with new people! Finally, all 3 of us attended Stephen Smith’s talk, ‘Process: Towards a Feeling. He showcased some of his work (which was amazing – I adore his style) and chatted about his processes and experiences. Here are some of my favourite things he said: 🎨 “I love chaotic disorder” 🎨 “I’m into using deconstruction as a tool for construction” 🎨  “It’s a continual exploration of using materials in different ways” 🎨 “Process isn’t easy to understand… you should just experiment and have fun… think about what you want to make someone feel” During the Q&A, someone asked Stephen how he handles hate and negative comments about his work, and he simply replied, “Ugh… I don’t care?” We should all aspire to be a bit more like Stephen! 🤣🤔 #BirminghamDesignFestival #Birmingham #contentcreation #design #creativeprocess

For my newest It's Nice That column, I wrote about designers and studios opening IRL businesses, the fantasy of being your own client, and the potential that design has to shape communities (for better or worse) 🏙 https://lnkd.in/e3jhZSZc

Design is all around us and it shapes our world in ways we may not even realize. From the apps we use to the doorknobs we turn, design plays a crucial role in our daily lives. In honor of World Design Day, let's take a moment to appreciate the impact of good design. Sir Don Norman, a design legend, once created a door with no handle! ♀️ Good design considers how we use things. Have you ever been impacted by the power of good design? Share your story! On the other hand, have you ever been annoyed by bad design? How would you fix it? Let's start a conversation about how design can make the world a better place. Join me in celebrating World Design Day and share your thoughts on how design makes a difference. #WorldDesignDay #Design #Designers

"Give me some space. . This is what your design speaks when you fill it with too many elements and leave no white space." . ------------------------------ Are you a CEO founder handling too many tasks and have no time. let me handle your visual needs. dm ' design' to discuss your project. . #whitespace #ceo #founder #personalbrand #socialmediapost #carouselpost #saturday

🌟 Exciting News from CMJ Design Studio! 🌟 At CMJ Design Studio, we believe in the power of design to transform businesses and elevate brands. That's why our CEO and founder, CaTessa Jones, is leading the charge with a holistic approach to design strategies that align with our studio's vision, values, and expertise. Here are some tailored design strategies crafted by CaTessa herself: Client-Centric Design: We're putting our clients at the heart of everything we do. By understanding their needs and aspirations, we're able to deliver personalized design solutions that exceed expectations. Innovation and Creativity: CaTessa encourages a culture of innovation and creativity within our studio. We're constantly pushing the boundaries and exploring new design trends and technologies to stay ahead of the curve. Strategic Design Thinking: Design isn't just about aesthetics—it's about solving problems and driving business outcomes. With strategic design thinking, we're helping our clients achieve their goals and stand out in the market. Diversity and Inclusion: Diversity fuels creativity. CaTessa is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone's voice is heard and valued. We believe that embracing diverse perspectives leads to better design solutions. Sustainability: Sustainability isn't just a trend—it's a responsibility. CaTessa champions sustainable design practices that minimize our environmental impact and promote social responsibility. With CaTessa's leadership and these tailored design strategies, CMJ Design Studio is poised to make a lasting impact in the world of design. Stay tuned for more updates on our journey towards creative excellence! ✨ #DesignStrategies #CMJDesignStudio #CreativeExcellence

In my latest story for Elephant Magazine, I wrote about how the art system still favours the rich and what can – and should – be done to make it a truly equitable place for everyone. Huge thanks to Collective Ending’s co-founder #BillyFraser for the many insights and relatable observations. It is a rainy November afternoon when I jump on a Zoom call with Billy Fraser, the serious multitasker and self-professed workaholic behind Collective Ending – the Deptford-based, artist-led studio and gallery complex he co-founded with a group of fellow young artists, writers and curators in 2019. A graduate of Chelsea School of Art and Design, Fraser stood out to me for his wholeheartedly collaborative and can-do approach to being part of London’s creative scene; one which sets him aside from many of this industry’s stakeholders, particularly from the greedy galleries and artist studio providers blatantly profiting off emerging artists’ sweat and tears.  Three months fast-forward from that virtual chat, the points raised by Fraser during our conversation are as relevant as ever: “artists are taken advantage of in as many capacities as possible by the gallery ecosystem,” he says. “They are cannon fodder: this scene is designed for you to believe that, as an artist, you are only going to say something out of turn to collectors.” Afraid of any missteps, artists, explains Fraser, engage in gallery representation because it is meant to look after their best interests. With gallery commissions traditionally falling anywhere between 30 and 60 percent of an artwork’s total sale price, it is hard to imagine how creatives in the early days of their career could pay the bills with the remaining proceeds. But gallerists aren’t the only ones playing it dirty. When it comes to studio spaces, “artists are just at a very rock bottom,” Fraser says. All you get nowadays is “a one-year lease for a damp room with a leak, no guarantee of tenure and a one-month eviction clause” – a grim prospect made even drearier by the British capital’s growing cost of living and exponential rental crisis. Despite the establishment of Mayoral initiatives such as the Creative Land Trust, which since 2019 has helped workspace providers secure long leases, and Creative Enterprise Zones, a programme aimed at designating areas wherein local councils are invited to promote new spaces, the sector is still struggling to meet artists’ demand for long-term, secure and affordable studios, a recent survey by UK charity #Acme finds. Based on the results of a quick search on the London Artist’s Studio Finder database, the average price ranges from £115 a month for a 45 sqft art booth in Hackney Wick to £695 pcm for a 285 sqft bright floor unit in Willesden Junction. […] #art #class #inequality #UK #london #culture #housing #costofliving #artiststudios  https://lnkd.in/eMqX7Aft

Integrating working artist studio spaces within commercial areas can profoundly enrich the cultural landscape of cities worldwide. This synergy not only fosters artistic expression but also cultivates a deeper appreciation for diverse visual art genres while nurturing a vibrant cultural community. Firstly, placing artist studios in commercial spaces transforms art into a tangible and accessible experience for the public. By situating these spaces amidst everyday commerce, passersby are exposed to the creative process, demystifying art production and forging a personal connection with artists and their work. This exposure encourages dialogue and interaction, breaking down barriers between artists and the general public, ultimately fostering a more inclusive and engaged cultural community. Moreover, the coexistence of artist studios and commercial enterprises creates symbiotic relationships that benefit both parties. Businesses benefit from the unique ambiance and foot traffic generated by art studios, while artists gain exposure and potential patrons. This mutual support system fosters collaboration and cross-pollination of ideas, enriching the creative process and contributing to a dynamic cultural ecosystem. Furthermore, the diversity of visual art genres showcased within these spaces promotes a more comprehensive understanding and appreciation of art. From traditional painting and sculpture to assemblage, the variety of artistic practices encourages viewers to explore new perspectives and broaden their artistic horizons. This exposure to diverse genres cultivates a more discerning and culturally literate audience, fostering a deeper appreciation for the richness and complexity of visual art. Additionally, integrating artist studios into commercial spaces revitalizes urban environments, transforming once overlooked areas into vibrant cultural hubs. By repurposing underutilized spaces, cities can revitalize neglected neighborhoods, attracting visitors and fostering community engagement. This revitalization extends beyond the cultural sphere, stimulating economic growth and fostering a sense of pride and identity within local communities.