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The Story of Blick

We now have approximately 70 businesses across our studios with 115 creatives working in our spaces.

We are excited to be turning 10 and can’t wait for the next decade of creative adventures and projects and to continue supporting entrepreneurs.

Future

CREATIVELY EXPANDING

In 2017 we set up a brand new venture called Womenfolk to celebrate and promote women design entrepreneurs. We were excited to be involved again with Belfast Design Week in its 3rd year & new design events such as Late Night Design.

We moved from 52 Hill Street to Cotton Court in the Cathedral Quarter – a building full of creative companies.

We set up Flock, a trading arm of Blick that brings together the creative talent involved with Blick to work on multidisciplinary creative projects.

2017

SUPPORTING MORE CREATIVES

Increased income from growing our organisation gave us the opportunity to expand the free support we provide for creative entrepreneurs including:

  • Blick Academy for Creative Startups
  • Share 6 inspirational talks for creative entrepreneurs
  • 25 Pop-Up
  • The Faculty workshops and courses
  • Creative Business Bootcamp
  • Belfast Design Week &
  • our Graduate residency programme

2016

GROWING MORE

We opened Eighty81 Creative Workspace in Derry-Londonderry providing workspace for 18 businesses as well as the Nest incubation program, creative events and support.

In Belfast there was a growing market for our services so we opened a second set of premises in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter providing workspace for an additional 18 businesses.

2015 was the year of Irish Design and we secured funding to run a variety of design events and co-founded Belfast Design Week.

2015

EXPANDING TO THE NW

We secured a 3 year contract to manage the creative hub in Ebrington in Derry/Londonderry to provide incubation space, workspace and events and support for the creative industries within the city.

We developed the brand and concept for Eighty81 Creative Workspace on behalf of Ilex Urban Regeneration.

2014

GROWING BLICK

We moved into our first Cathedral Quarter premises allowing us to provide space for an additional 15 businesses.

With the premises being so close to Ulster University, we were able to connect more with students and startups and build our existing creative community through meetups and events.

2012

CREATIVE EVENTS

From 2008 – 2010 we ran a variety of events and courses to support small and startup creative businesses within Belfast including Blick Business Blitz and the Evolve Programme.

We saw a need to create more interactive and engaging enterprise events and set up Creative Camp Belfast – an interactive un-conference style event design to connect local creative entrepreneurs and encourage them to share their stories and speak on various topics.

2010

MOVING INTO MALONE

With support from Ulster University and Belfast City Council we moved into our first permanent space at 51 Malone Road.

We focused on becoming independently sustainable by renting our studio spaces, event spaces and offering virtual services. By the end of 2008 we provided space to 15 different creative businesses.

2008

BY CREATIVES FOR CREATIVES

Blick was set up by a group of creative entrepreneurs struggling to find suitable creative studio space in Belfast.

Our first studio was a rented warehouse in the City Centre which we set up with the help of £5000 from UnLtd.

2007

Our Locations

Malone Road, Belfast

Hill Street, Belfast

Cotton Court, Belfast

Talk to Blick

If you are interested in workspace, virtual services, room hire or coming to any of our events or any general enquiries get in touch.

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    This week in the final month of the year, as the year draws to a close we are thinking about what we want to get done before the end of the year. ...

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    Dec 5

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    This week in the final month of the year, as the year draws to a close we are thinking about what we want to get done before the end of the year. Having a look at what tasks we have been avoiding so we can get them done and out of the way and start 2023 without anything hanging over our heads. Is there anything you have been avoiding in your business that you know you would feel better if you just got it done? #creativestartup #creativebusinessowners #creatives #smallbusiness #smallbusinessbelfast #smallbusinessowner #businesssupport

    blickstudios

    January seems the return of our kids animation workshops in partnership with Can Do Academy

    These mini animation master classes by Can Do ...

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    Nov 29

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    January seems the return of our kids animation workshops in partnership with Can Do Academy These mini animation master classes by Can Do Academy are a great introduction for children to the colourful world of Lego animation! The workshop will allow participants to make a complete animated Lego film on an iPad, using sound effects, visual effects, titles and lots of imagination! Your child will learn to use special iPad apps and they will receive a copy of their film at the end of the session! They can bring their own Lego characters or use the ones supplied by us. EVENT DETAILS Date: Saturday 14th January 2023 Time: 10am – 12pm Venue: Blick Shared Studios, 51 Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 6RY Age: Children 7 – 14 years Cost: £20 + booking fee Book through our website link in profile

    blickstudios

    It’s that time of the year again, this week in our Creative Roundup we are highlighting some local festive markets and workshops, all ways you can ...

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    Nov 19

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    It’s that time of the year again, this week in our Creative Roundup we are highlighting some local festive markets and workshops, all ways you can support local creatives this Christmas. We have also listed some other opportunities and events that might be of interest to NI Creatives. CHRISTMAS WORKSHOPS & MARKETS CREATIVES COLLECTIVES MARKET DATE: Sat 19th Nov TIME: 11am - 4pm LOCATION: The MAC Belfast ASTRAL FIBRES POPUP DATE: Sun 20th Nov LOCATION: Bullitt Hotel, Lobby HUNTER PAPER CO - LETTER WRITING TO SANTA  DATE: Sunday 27th November TIME: various COST: £5 WINTER WREATH MAKING SHARED THREADS FUNDRAISER DATE: Saturday 10th December  TIME: 10am - 12 noon LOCATION: Portview Trade Centre COST: £30 BEARDED CANDLE MAKERS MAKE YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS GIFTS - CANDLE EDITION DATE: 25th Nov  TIME: 5.00 - 7.00pm LOCATION: Teolai, 30 Main Street, Castlewellan COST: £55 WOMEN IN BUSINESS MERRY MARKETPLACE DATE: 30th Nov TIME: 5.30 - 8.00pm LOCATION: The Merchant Hotel, 16 Skipper Street, Belfast COST: Member £5, Non-member £10 OPPORTUNITIES 100 ARCHIVE The 100 Archive charts the past, present and future of Irish design by publishing 100 notable communication design projects, selected each year following an open call. CLOSING DATE: 31st Jan 2023 EVENTS SIGNIFICANT OTHER EXHIBITION Group exhibition showcasing women artists DATES: 21st - 26th Nov LOCATION: Artcetera Studio CRAFT NI MAKER FORUM DATE: Thurs 24th Nov TIME: 10am - 12pm  LOCATION: The F.E. McWilliam Gallery and Studio, 200 Newry Road, Banbridge FOYLE FILM FESTIVAL DATES: Friday 18 – Sunday 27 November 2022 LOCATION: Various NAVIGATING EMOTIONS AT WORK DATE: Nov 21st TIME: 5.00 - 6.00PM GMT LOCATION: Online HOW OUR SOCIAL CONNECTIONS IMPACT OUR ECONOMIC SECURITY DATES: Wednesday 23 November 2022 TIME: 18:00 – 19:00 LOCATION: online PIXEL MILL LEGAL WORKSHOPS DATE: Thursday 24th November DESIGN LEADERSHIP: HOW TO SOLVE BIGGER PROBLEMS AND LEAD BIGGER TEAMS DATE: Tue, 29 November 2022, TIME: 17:00 – 18:30 GMT LOCATION: Online INVEST NI WEBINAR: SPOTLIGHT ON JAPAN DATE: Thu, Dec 1, 2022  TIME: 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM GMT LOCATION: Online Link to full blog with details and links on our profile

    blickstudios

    What do you want to achieve this week? This week’s question for reflection is super simple, but also a really good way to start the week. What do ...

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    Nov 14

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    What do you want to achieve this week? This week’s question for reflection is super simple, but also a really good way to start the week. What do you want to achieve this week? Be really specific and honest with yourself. What is genuinely achievable within the timeframe and what is most important? Setting realistic and achievable goals is important, so you stay focused and don’t feel discouraged but also so difficult. It is easy to be overly optimistic with your goals and to-do lists or to focus on the things that are most enjoyable or easier, not what you actually need to get done to move forward. I have to remind myself every week to be realistic about what I hope to achieve. Breaking down my weekly to-do list into urgent tasks (usually client work, admin etc) and things I would like to get done (big picture work, funding applications, new projects etc). I try and map out my urgent tasks then set aside some time and schedule in at least one thing from my things I would like to get done list each week so that I keep moving forward and working to achieve my overall goals. How do you work out your to-do list and set your goals and priorities? #creativeentrepreneurs #creativebusinessowners #smallbusiness #creativestartup #creative entrepreneurship

    blickstudios

    Did you know we have lots of free industry expert videos on our @womenfolk.co website? We have highlighted them on this week's creative roundup ...

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    Nov 8

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    Did you know we have lots of free industry expert videos on our @womenfolk.co website? We have highlighted them on this week's creative roundup on our blog alongside different events and opportunities for creatives this week

    blickstudios

    We're excited to be bringing back our @womenfolk.co peer mentoring group

    It’s very simple, but also very effective. Starting in ...

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    Nov 2

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    We're excited to be bringing back our @womenfolk.co peer mentoring group It’s very simple, but also very effective. Starting in January 2023 on the last Tuesday of each month we will host a get together with a small group of self-employed creative women or women in the process of starting a creative business to chat about business and life. Each person will get the chance to speak. Sharing their monthly progress, plans for the following month, future goals and aspirations as well as any challenges they may be facing. This process gives you the opportunity to connect with and learn from like-minded creative women and helps with motivation, accountability, goal setting and planning.  As we want the group to be a safe-space for sharing we will be limiting numbers to a maximum of 8 participants. There is no cost to joining the group, but to ensure commitment and suitability participants need to fill in a short online registration to secure a space. You can find the registration form on our website (link in profile) or if you have any questions about the group email christine@blickstudios.org #workforyourself #womeninbusiness #womenfolk #womenindesign #creativewomen #creativebusiness #creativewomencommunity #womenentrepreneur #womenentrepreneurs #womenentrepreneurship

    blickstudios

    Sunday mornings have just become available to hire the Main Room in our Malone studios. Perfect for yoga, meditation, classes, workshops etc, only ...

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    Oct 26

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    Sunday mornings have just become available to hire the Main Room in our Malone studios. Perfect for yoga, meditation, classes, workshops etc, only £15 an hour for regular ongoing bookings. Get in touch for more info

    blickstudios

    This week's question for reflection is a tough one. It can be hard to be honest with yourself about where you find fulfillment especially with a ...

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    Oct 24

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    This week's question for reflection is a tough one. It can be hard to be honest with yourself about where you find fulfillment especially with a creative business that may have started out as a passion project. Things change, just because we once found something fulfilling or enjoyable doesn't mean we still do, especially when it has turned from a hobby to a way of earning a living and all the pressures that brings. Of course for practical reasons we may still need to do it for the time being at least, but it's worth reflecting on for the future

    blickstudios

    After a week being away doing my first business/ solo travelling since before the pandemic. This week's question for reflection is a simple one. ...

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    Oct 18

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    After a week being away doing my first business/ solo travelling since before the pandemic. This week's question for reflection is a simple one. What do you want more of in life? and in your business? #personaldevelopment #businessdevelopment #reflection #intentions #questions

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    This week's question for personal reflection came from a conversation we had in the studio about wanting to improve our writing skills. In this ...

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    Oct 3

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    This week's question for personal reflection came from a conversation we had in the studio about wanting to improve our writing skills. In this instance it was for a funding application, but I would also love to be able to write better for our website and social media and just think it would be a really useful skill to have for so many areas of business. It got me thinking about other things I would like to improve my skills on over the next period including social media (it's so hard to keep uptodate with all the changes) and listening (covered in our creative roundup and the subject of a blog we will be releasing later in the week). Time just flies by and nothing changes if you don't take the time to think about what you would really like to do with your time and what would really add value to your business and life. Its worth taking some time to have a think about what skills you would like to develop and invest your time and energy in for both your personal and professional life #personaldevelopment #skills #investinyourself #improveyourself #improveyourlife #reflection #intentions

    blickstudios

    Like many others we have been slowly rebuilding our business following the pandemic. Doing a lot of work behind the scenes and trying to be more ...

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    Sep 26

    Open
    Like many others we have been slowly rebuilding our business following the pandemic. Doing a lot of work behind the scenes and trying to be more intentional with both what we put our energy into, but also how and why we are doing things. As we continue to get busier I want to continue this process and plan to begin each week with a question for reflection for myself. I thought some other people might also find it a useful exercise so if i get time each week I will share them here. I love this week's question "what did you enjoy working on most last week?" We so often forget why we started a business and what we used to feel passionate about as we get bogged down in the day to day work. We forget that it's possible and also ok to enjoy our work and to try to create more of that joy.