The Nanaimo Design Nerds and Nanaimo Fringe Festival came together on August 24th to JAM THE FRINGE! Theatre enthusiasts, artists, Fringe volunteers and community members generated new ideas and plans for the future of Nanaimo’s Fringe Festival. Nanaimo Fringe ran from August 14-24 2014 and will be back next summer with a jam-driven BANG. Thanks to everyone who came out and shared the best of themselves and thanks to Fringe organizers for having us!

Serena, Design Nerds co-director chalking ideas

Mark, Design Nerds co-director à la facilitation

Chelsee Damen, Fringe Director

Jam Hug!

All photos courtesy of OK Denisa

The Nanaimo Design Nerds organization is at a decision point regarding the Intersection project. We have found there to be considerable interest in the coworking experience, to date, but we have not received sufficient commitment from subscribers to proceed with the project. Simply put, there isn’t enough money committed to pay the real and significant cost of starting and operating this business. We are supportive as ever of the coworking model and would love to see this project through. However, the Nanaimo Design Nerds have limited capacity and many great opportunities. Intersection can no longer be one of them. We thank you for your support to date and welcome you to visit us at Design Lab to check in to the latest Nanaimo Design Nerd Projects. Nerd ON!

We are thrilled to welcome Erin Shuttleworth and Erin Heeney to co-work with us in our DESIGN LAB, as we secure the space to continue working with local organizations and clients. Come on by and say HELLO! A12 Victoria crescent > between DNBIA and the Thirsty Camel.

Erin Shuttleworth: is a Digital Media Artist who specializes in graphic novels and Flash animation. Her work attempts to bridge a world of childlike fantasy with the anxieties of an adult, through the use of horrific elements in tandem with fantastical environments and scenarios.  www.erinshuttleworth.com

Erin Heeney

Bring your wildest imaginings for this new magical space, bring your sense of play, and let your mind explore all kinds of possibilities Thursday June 19th at the Port Theatre! This Jam is going to be ESPECIALLY fun! See you there:-)

In partnership with the DNBIA, the Nanaimo Design Nerds Society are thrilled to unveil Design Lab at A12 Victoria Crescent, from June 1 to July 31, 2014. The China Steps space, sponsored by the DNBIA and Hogler Enterprises, will play host to a series of public and invitational events with the goal of animating civic spaces in the downtown arts district. The storefront space will be hosted part-time by local designers, who welcome the public to drop-in for a visit between 10am and 2pm, Tuesday to Thursday during the months of June and July. Design Lab will be a centre of collaboration and change-making in the public realm.

Nanaimo Design Nerds will be hosting a Jam at The Port Theatre to engage the public around the the new Community Performing Arts centre, Thursday June 19th, 5:30-9pm @ The Port Theatre Lobby.

Join us for a super fun and explorative evening, where all ideas are welcome and your contributions only make the outcome that much BETTER!

Proposed design for the Community Performing Arts Centre

Jelly #2 is just around the corner. Come downtown to the Painted Turtle Guesthouse (121 Bastion St.) on Monday April 14 anytime from 9:30am-12:30pm. Bring your laptop, experience a pop-up coworking session, enjoy free coffee and treats from our sponsors at Perkins Coffee Company and learn about the progress of the Nanaimo Coworking Space.

Come down to the Vault Coffee shop on Monday March 17th to experience the culture of a ‘pop-up co-working space’ and learn more about the great new co-working space soon to open right here, downtown Nanaimo!!

Listen to this great SPARK podcast to learn more about how social interaction in the workplace results in higher creativity and productivity. Sociology from the perspective of a mathematician; HERE

Our first JELLY (Simulated pop-up co-working session) will be held on Monday March 17th, 9:30am-12:30pm @ The Vault Coffee shop, Downtown Nanaimo. Bring your laptop, your work, your interest to connect with other entrepreneurs and creative thinkers, as well as any q’s or thoughts you have to share with us on what you think a Co-working space should look like, with your specific needs in mind. We look forward to seeing you there!