Urban Learning Space Seminars

Vital Signs: Marks, Codes and the Future, part 1

Knowing what is the 'next big thing' is a factor in success and survival: no surprise then that the study of signs is known as 'semiotics' from the greek word for oracle. But how does one become good at reading signs and why does it matter so much? Signs dominate everyday life: they can be natural signs, for example a rumble in the sky gives advance notice of a thunderstorm, emotional signs, such as a smile, or manufactured road signs, shop signs and product signs. Signs are the essential building blocks of our communicative environment, and in the context of brand development, the 'right' mark is analogous to success; yet many people, although ready to acknowledge the importance of sending out the right signals, feel ambivalent about signs. Shona Maciver explores the compelling nature of the sign, its capacity to bully and confront, and the gulf between what it is and what it stands for. Audience Ideal for all those who work in the creative industries in Scotland; designers, creatives, artists, writers, researchers, architects, cultural academics, thinkers, teachers, students, gamers and stylists’. Biography Shona Maciver is MD of Locofoco Limited (www.locofoco.co.uk). The consultancy has a strong reputation for creativity in print and screen and an impressive client list, including the likes of s1homes, jobs and play.com, (UK Marketing Society Brand of the Year 2005), Museums Galleries Scotland, Visit Scotland and Road Safety Scotland.

Ourselves, Online: A Musician's Quest For A New Business Model In The Age Of Networks (part 2)

The music business is in meltdown - and professional musicians are having to re-assess everything about how they sustain their livelihoods. If people simply won't pay £15 for a CD from the high street, what will they pay for? Recorded music is tending towards being ubiquitous and free(ish), but live music is tending towards high prices for a unique experience. In the face of these trends, how can the power of the internet - particularly broadband and social networks - be used to forge a new connection, both cultural and commercial, between musicians and their audience? With a new self-financed Hue And Cry album in his USB, Pat Kane set out on a journey with his brother Greg to find a new way to being 'Ourselves, Online'. This seminar tells the story of that journey, which might (or might not) end up happily ever after...

Ourselves, Online: A Musician's Quest For A New Business Model In The Age Of Networks (part 1)

The music business is in meltdown - and professional musicians are having to re-assess everything about how they sustain their livelihoods. If people simply won't pay £15 for a CD from the high street, what will they pay for? Recorded music is tending towards being ubiquitous and free(ish), but live music is tending towards high prices for a unique experience. In the face of these trends, how can the power of the internet - particularly broadband and social networks - be used to forge a new connection, both cultural and commercial, between musicians and their audience? With a new self-financed Hue And Cry album in his USB, Pat Kane set out on a journey with his brother Greg to find a new way to being 'Ourselves, Online'. This seminar tells the story of that journey, which might (or might not) end up happily ever after...

Learning Spaces, Working Places (part 2)

There is a revolution in the design of learning spaces all round the world and inevitably this is now impacting on the design of corporate space too. As corporations aspire to become learning organisations and move away from their training rooms and training culture they're increasing looking to designs for schools to inform their transformation. At the same time the design of schools and universities has much to learn from the radical new ways that people organise their working lives : for example in the new media industries. This talk explores how, in designing spaces for learning and working, there is a need for dialogue.

Learning Spaces, Working Places (part 1)

There is a revolution in the design of learning spaces all round the world and inevitably this is now impacting on the design of corporate space too. As corporations aspire to become learning organisations and move away from their training rooms and training culture they're increasing looking to designs for schools to inform their transformation. At the same time the design of schools and universities has much to learn from the radical new ways that people organise their working lives : for example in the new media industries. This talk explores how, in designing spaces for learning and working, there is a need for dialogue.