Baltimore Tech Businesses are Thriving

Towson Global Business Incubator, Maryland Bay Bridge Sunrise

I enjoyed the show and tell variation of recent Baltimore Tech Breakfast meeting, August 31, 2011. To give you and idea about our MeetUp group I've posted my recent comments about the new format and venue. Everyone who is involved in any aspect of technology is welcome to attend. I am seeking to offer graphic design assistance and share visual communication expertise at the meetings and perhaps work with other techs on new projects collaboratively.

The pace of this last meeting of the summer felt just about right for timing, even though we ran long. I think there may be show and tell projects where the content might be able to be presented in shorter time, but it depends upon the subject. I would suggest to perhaps break out the meeting with one longer presentation and three smaller ones. I liked the questions and comments and thought the positive energy of the group was inspiring. In some cases, I would like to devote more time to providing feed back or suggestions, but only if it is requested, otherwise it might feel awkward to critique. I suggest, if each presenter could ask what they'd like to hear from the group then, we could always send comments and suggestions in our own time to help keep to the schedule.  I also am interested in the scaling topic which is moved to the next meeting. I would welcome a more technical discussion after each meeting, for those who would like to broaden their knowledge and exchange tips.


Clay Hickson at the Towson Global Incubator was very welcoming to our group and offered a very good space for us to host the meetings. His mindset and connections in the Maryland business environment are helpful towards anyone looking to grow their company or idea, as well as broaden their client base. The location is easy to get to and parking is plentiful. I'd like to see more tech breakfast events here at TGBI. They affiliated with Towson State University and are sponsored by Baltimore County Maryland.

The Baltimore TechBreakfast is a very inviting group of aspiring programmers, entrepreneurs and marketers. The open forum works very well and is free to make changes to be the best. It is fascinating to experience a diverse range of individuals representing businesses where technology is evolving to bring innovative ideas to market. I am glad to be among the group who provides a forum to discuss and receive feedback on emerging real world projects.  Thanks for sharing the inspiring positive energy.
You are invited to attend the next months Baltimore TechBreakfast MeetUp by visiting the link at the top of this post. Contact me with any questions and I welcome your comments to this post.

The art of a paperless graphic design studio

Now, where did that paper go. Do you ever wish you could perform a 'search' on your desk, or in your studio? I have a great memory, but there are times when that elusive slip of paper has not been found, or not when I needed it. So I have enacted the digital paperless graphic design studio. Now you may ask, how in the world can a visual artist not have a printed or written process? I say, easy. Once the switch has been made, it's really hard to go back. I strive to not print anything that isn't imperative. To NOT have to file anything is a wonderful fringe benefit.

The digital artist studio saves time, money and resources. Not to mention that frustration of what happened to that sketch. Ah, it's in the computer. This process leaves room in my life for more important things. Like, living! I do love my job. I love my clients. I love everything about being a graphic designer and am particularly grateful for being self employed for the past 18 years.

This virtual production studio filing helps with my biggest manufacturing client. I have several binders now of the archives of files all listed alphabetically. I'm looking to digitally catalog the catalogs of file listings. That way, they can be searched by date, by name, by client, by project, by what ever I can remember or a client can cite. There are so many benefits to finding stored graphic presentation files. It's obvious it saves time and money.

There will be more on how to make your own archive catalogs digital with my next blog installment.

Suffice it to say I am appreciative of my art background and my earth sensibilities to strive to make my life easier and my work life greener and more peaceful. Now, if I could search my purse with a digital function, that would be something. I'm sure there is an iPhone app already dedicated to helping one find the item among their briefcase or messenger bag contents. If not, I'll happily take some small credit for suggesting this new iPhone app. I'm excellent at product development and brainstorming, so feel free to contact me and we'll work out the details of this new personal utility application. It's all very clear in my head, not on a scrap of paper, but soon to be written in my digital notes file for later retrieval.

Thanks digital world for getting me back out to rock climbing in Maryland and yoga in the parks of Baltimore.

Now, if my house would sell in Westminster, we'd be on to something with the blog advertising. BTW, it would make a fantastic graphic design or artist studio. It's the perfect size of home to justify a home office and the surrounding property give the best peace of mind with just the right amount of seclusion, privacy and creative inspiration like you can't believe.

Feel free to contact me to help your studio setup a digital archive. For small to medium size studios, from the sole-proprietor to the s-corporation.

Happy digital world to you all.
Lucy