Redon Skikuli is a citizen of Berlin and a member of betahaus since couple of months. He used to be a serious dude operating his own business. However, at some point  he made a decision to stay serious, BUT direct all the forces towards the world of making, hacking and inventing.  And soon he´s gonna hold an ARDUINO COURSE @ betahaus.

 

- Hi Redon, I know that once you used to be an entrepreneur. Now you are involved in Maker Fair Rome, a hackerspace in Albania, hold courses and workshops all around Europe – do you consider ´making/ hacking´ to be your profession?

Back when I was a teenager (late 90s) I promised myself that I’ll always try to combine my passion and what I love with what pays the rent, the bills and Italian ice cream. I’ve worked very hard not to brake that promise from that time and I will do my best do do so in the future. This for me means that my love for hacking is ‘paying off’ as we speak and I hope it stays so in the near future.

 

- How did you get involved into the maker scene?

In the beginning there was… curiosity and the feeling of being amazed at the possibilities of the personal computers. For me this happened early 00s. At the same time my exposure to the free software conferences, interactive personal projects with friends and the first visit to the Athenian hackerspace were let’s say my first steps in the amazing world of creativity, interaction and tinkering. In 2010 I moved to Tirana (Albania) and after discussions with like minded folks in town we set-up our own hackerspace and started hacking, coworking and making things with amazing people.

At the moment there is this feeling that my involvement and participation in the maker scene has just started and that there a universe filled with projects, co-working spaces and hackerspaces is waiting for me to get my hands dirty.

 

- You arrived in Berlin not so long ago, how did it turn out that you joined betahaus community so quickly?

betahaus is a coworking space (I know you are shocked) and if you want to get involved in the community and collaborate with creative people in a certain city (aka Berlin) places like betahaus and conferences usually are your first stop. My journey started at betahaus.de where I signed up for the weekly tour followed by the Maker Weekend and a coffe the days after. One thing led to another and now I ended up falling in love with the place and hosting my Arduino workshop here.

 

- How do you feel about the maker scene in Berlin? Is it really the most amazing one or those are rumors?

Rumours? No way. Everybody says that Berlin is the place to be for anyone considering to be a part of the creative industry in Europe and I certainly confirm it. It is also relatively cheap, it has great flight and train connections with the rest of Europe, lot’s of maker  events such as Codemotion, hackerspaces, a Fab Lab and some of the most creative tinkers I know. Do you need more proof?

 

- WTF is Arduino?

Arduino is a single-board microcontroller designed to make the process of using electronics in multidisciplinary projects more accessible. It was started not so long ago and it is the best tool if you want to see what happens when buttons, LEDs, sensors, small motors, resistors and an Arduino are combined. It’s like Lego bricks which work only if you add a little of árduino magic´.

 

- What can you use arduino for?

It helps you build interactive projects without being a scientist or a hard core programmer. Since the majority of the materials related with Arduino are published on open standards there is a huge community of makers, artists and tinkerers creating amazing projects with it and helping other people when they need help.

We’re learning more by playing one day with Arduino than we ever learned in schools and that is amazing or sad, depending on the way that you see the glass. I always prefer to see it half full. Or create an Arduino hack that puts more watter in the glass.

 

- How can it change the World of making for the best? In which kind of projects could it be used?

Let’s be clear, in order to change tho world you need the right tools. Arduino and similar other projects like Raspberry Pi, apc.io, 3D printing etc, have made it easy and affordable (this is important) for all of us to play around with programming, electronics and computers. This means that more and more people are playing and using all these ‘gadgets’ for any project that they might think of. Sky is the limit now and you have the tools to reach it and even change it along with the world.

There are so many projects out there, but my favourite are 3D printers (yes lots of 3D printers have an Arduino inside), Arduino robots, (small) matrix screens  and many many more published online.

 

- What should people expect to have as a ´take away´ after the´ve studied Arduino Intensively over 2 weeks?

There are two different take-aways after the workshop, a materialistic and an educational one.

Materialistic because every participant will take away a WMKIT Arduino kit full of sensors, an Arduino and LEDs. Educational because you will learn all the basics around Arduino and an overdose of fun since there is work in groups and individual experiments involved. In addition some say that there might also be BBQ and beer at some point. Can’t reveal more details about this though since it’s classified top secret information.

 

- Who is a ´Geek´?

There are different opinions about who can be considered a geek, but my own definition is: Geeks are curious people that take curiosity seriously and never stop working on ‘fixing’ this condition. Of course this is a never ending effort that creates a vicious creative circle!

 

Thank you very much! In geeks we trust!

 

 Régis Lemberthe

– Why have you decided to become a designer?
I guess becoming a designer is something I’ve had in mind since I’m a kid, in a way – but back then I only wanted to draw cars. Becoming the designer I am now, happened not because of a single reason, rather a series of encounters and discoveries that set me off each time on a different path. If I had to name a few turning points, I’d probably go for: failing at becoming a sports teacher, interacting with classmates and inspiring professionals at Design Academy Eindhoven; cofounding a design studio with Anna Iwansson; teaming up with Pedro Pineda and Sam Muirhead in Enable Berlin, and with Jay Cousins at the Maker Lab; and later organising workshops in Betahaus, that has also brought me a lot of important insight into my own practice.

   - What´s the coolest and the lamest part of being a design professional?
Can I say two of each? Coolest are clearly being able to solve problems in a creative way, sometimes working with interesting people who have skills I don’t, and to be able to use domestic objects as a medium of to express ideas. Lamest are having to make a living of the job, and therefore sometimes having to compromise a project’s integrity to a client’s idea, and the constant questioning whether we really need to produce more objects – although that last one can also find an answer in the new developments of the discipline, with collaborative and open design kicking in.

- Why have you decided to start your own projects rather than work for a company?
For the freedom it provides, and because I had no idea how much stress and effort it implies. But I’m happy having done so, after years of struggling things are paying off, and I’m now getting rewarded in terms of autonomy and happiness at work.

   - Why have you decided to share your knowledge about concrete within workshops? I mean it´s quite a specific field in which you have been experimenting  for over 4 years, right? Is it possible to teach in 4 hours?
Because I was asked to, and it sounded like a good idea and an interesting challenge. You’re right, I’ve been experimenting with that material for quite some time now, and knowing how to work with it, and what shortcuts can be taken is exactly what makes it possible to facilitate workshops and make such a long process fit into such a tight schedule.
In fact, it could have been much shorter if I had a standard project to submit the participants, and all there was to do was build a mould, make some concrete and cast it. But I’ve also chosen for it to be an actual design project, in which people can design a personal object and learn exactly how this can be made. Of course, results hardly ever are exactly what they were meant to, but I believe the skills and knowledge taken home are far greater than if the workshop was made simpler.
   

- You are a part of betahaus community since forever. How and when did you get trapped?
I started gravitating around Betahaus when organising collaborative design sessions with Enable Berlin, that were taking place at Open Design City. I later went to Milan with the Maker Lab, and ended up organising workshops as part of the ongoing Build Or Buy project. And in a few weeks, my activities at Betahaus will be completed by the Intensive Design Course, that I’ll teach for a month there.

   - What are participants going to learn at the Product Design Course that you are launching? Let´s say, what are the 3 take away?
There’ll hopefully be way more than three, but ok, let’s try that. First, I need to say that it’ll be split in two parts, that are on one hand the theoretical learning during which I’ll be providing insights, and on the other hand the hands-on practice during which participants will team up to work on a common design project of their choice. Also, it’s an intensive design project, and we’ll want to have something new to reflect on every time – which means there will be homework.

Ok, now for the three things people can expect to learn from that course:
1 – learn methods that form the routine of a design studio: research, preparation of the brainstorming, getting proper feedback, etc.
2 – acquire knowledge specific to the production part: insights on different materials and related production techniques, how to build a good prototype, how to make good blueprints that will easily be understood by collaborators, and so on.
3 – reflexion on design, evaluation of what opportunities all the new collaborative and social aspects of both the design, production and distribution parts can generate.

    – Lemon is better than peach because..?
It isn’t. Lemon has different qualities than peach, neither better nor worse. They are both tools that can be used to achieve different things – try making a lemonade with peach. Yeah, bad example, it’s probably delicious.

We will try! Thanks a lot for the interview!

http://vimeo.com/66800984?utm_content=buffer53e68&utm_source=buffer&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=Buffer

Big times and Breaking news!

You surely noticed that during past year betahaus introduced a whole row of new education formats – workshops, experimentation sessions, weekend festivals. But now things are getting serious. We put together best minds we worked with and decided to open a Summer School. You have already graduated a university or two? Exactly right time to start you education!

This summer we are launching a multidisciplinary program of courses and workshops in order to introduce you, people to the latest design, tech and business inventions and empower cross disciplinarily implementation of this knowledge. From 3D printing, Jewelry and Product Design to Arduino, Social Medial marketing strategies – there´s more knowledge out there.

It’s not gonna be about lecture halls and exams, but about skills, practical experience, people and inspiration. We want to give people access to the network of experts and assist them in realizing their projects as successful as possible. We want to make it easier to get them into doing what the betahaus community already does: work and live the way they want.

OUR LINEUP : 

The first 3 courses are already in! More is getting into schedule in June.

Updates will follow.

Yours,

Eli ,Tom & C

any questions – mail at elizaveta@betahaus.de

It’s time for making, it’s time for getting to know new technologies and techniques, because it´s Artisan Weekend! Woo-hoo!

We’re teaming up with General Assembly and Esty to bring in the best.

This weekend kicks off on Friday morning with workshops and lectures to turn you into a lean, mean creator. Textiles, electronics, 3D printing, cardboard, concrete.. we truly tried to bring in as much of crafts and technology as a weekend could squeeze.

One of the workshops we really present top proudly is a Crash Course on Fabric Dyeing. It´s held by a betahaus NY-fellow Shabd who´s simultaneously a world-wide known fabric artist. Her works were featured in Vogue, ELLE and New York Magazine.. well, to make long story short – she´s truly amazing and ready to teach you the holy magic of fabric colouring.

But once you´ll get crafty. After a ws and couple of years of hard practice. .. There will be still a lot you´ll need to know. This part is covered by GA and Etsy who brought in lectures on all the practical business skills which you would need to succeed as an artisan. Well, the lineup of lectures and workshops is pretty packed as always, so to make it easier for you – just SEE IT ALL AT ONCE.

But if all kickass workshops aren’t enough to get your engine running, we’re stepping on the gas Saturday night with the Artisan Party !  Our Dj´s (already almost in residence) – Milan Hermess and Lazercat (LIVE, Snuff Trax/Canada) will blow up the dance floor just the way they do it! From 10 pm on we promise DIY sessions from our How Do Fellows and lots of fun all around you.

So join us at any point of the awesome weekend, we´ll be there.

Besso,

yours betahaus team.

P.S. Oh, by the way, if you wanna learn some deco DIY designs – join us today (Wednesday 7pm) at Open Design City for an arty Pre-Party.  Entrance free even if you are banana-handed.

You still remember how to get things done rather than just talk about them?

Quite possibly you do since the last MAKER WEEKEND was not that long ago. But now it`s time to get back to the holy motion of making!

More exact time is 23/24 Feb – MAKER WEEKEND # 2.

Together with our fellows from the Gidsy team we have created an impressive lineup of workshops – more than 15 designers will be ready to teach you how to make thing happen. Given that the result will look awesome!

All the creative minds of Open Design City and cool Berlin-based designers will come together on a single weekend to teach you how to MAKE various stuff. From 3D printing and hacking up to concreate & leather design. See the complete LINEUP OF WORKSHOPS.

And, of course we gonna have a PARTY! A jam session, various crazy & loud DIY interactions & lots of fun will be there on the Saturday night from 9 p.m. and until an open end!

Within last weeks we will be announcing all the updates on the party content & participating designers in the FB group of the event. So not to miss it, join in.

See you there!

Yours,

Eli

Together with DREISECHSNULL, awesome Deskmag and Jovoto we are launching a worldwide design competition on creating the perfect Coworking Space of the future. The best projects will obviously win financial prices, so.. if your friend is an architect, let him know! We will weekly show you the coolest projects submitted, the best coworking ideas and, of cource will loudly announce THE winner in the begining of February.

You can just see how it developes but you could also actively join in! We ask all the coworking spaces and coworkers on the planet Earth to let each other & architects know, WHAT`S YOUR KEY TO COWORKING CHALLENGE?

We @ betahaus know it`s cool to have a bar instead of the reception desk, cool to have a board where coworkers post announcements for each other. `Zona Deistvia`, a coworking space it St. Petersburg (RU) knows it`s cool to have home shoes at the entrance to let everyone feel truly at home. What is your little key which makes it all work so much better? Share & Let each other know!

Sent a photo/video and a little description of YOUR KEY to katka@betahaus.com. We will proceed your applications and share them on all the social networks of betahaus, jovoto and Deskmag, letting the coolness of your coworking space become worldwide known!

E.g.

betahaus| Berlin _ KEY TO KOWORKING CHALLENGE:

Our `reception desk` is actually a bar. So when entering the betahaus one finds himself in a nice densely populated café. People get-together here, discuss projects, meet clients, have lunch or sip cappuccino. It gives a nice feeling of a truly open space, easy to enter and become a part of. 

Looking forward to your keys!

Your, betahaus team

Now, in the spirit of this times, we wanted to give this trees away and collect some money that will be donated to the artist that created them and to Open Design City to be able to buy some new tools and continue to do such interventions.

This trees are in beta, this means that they are all different and changing, and that you can even grow them in different ways at your home. The tree can’t stand alone, they need a whole forest around them in order to be. But this remind us of the culture we live at betahaus too. We all have realize that it is much better to be all together in one big space, that work alone from home. This trees will remind us of that. Now we hope the tree can lean on a corner at your home, making a little shelter there, and when you seat underneath, connecting you to all the other trees, to all the other people you are related to, reminding us of the big forest we make together.

If you would like to have a little tree charm at home, give a call to 017656721670 (Tom) and come over to pick up the one you like the best.

Wishing you all an excellent time,

Pedro Pineda

A single tree cost 30e. If you like more trees, or them installed at home please don’t hesitate to ask pedro.p (at) wecreativepeople (dot) com

Open Design City is a hands-on, creative coworking department of betahaus, and can best be described as a mix of fab-lab and makerspace. People come to Open Design City to prototype their ideas, get input on projects, build all kinds of things, and participate in some neat workshops.
We are looking for a marketing & communication intern who will work with us on spreading the word about our space online and offline. Your duties will include:

• Promotion of Open Design City and Build or Buy store on various social networks.
• Creating and executing guerilla marketing campaigns.
• Researching funding.
• Organising workshops, and finding people to host them.
• Co-creating events, e.g. Maker Party

If this sounds like the right job for you, and if you’re available for at least 3 months, feel free to contact us via somewhere.

Concept

You can’t get creative insights sitting behind an office desk. Everything is more or less predictable and contradictory things can be left outside. Out in the world, it’s more chaotic. You have to deal with unexpected findings, with uncertainty, and with irrational people who say things you don’t want to hear. But that is where you find insights. That is why at the Convention Camp, we are not making a presentation of how we work, neither telling about our successful stories, nor our failures. We are venturing in the Convention Camp pursuing learning without any hypothesis or script, but to challenge our comfortable assumptions (and the ones o of its visitors)

We want to know How will we un-share the world in the future? We want to learn about the limits of openness, connectedness and sharing. And imagine scenarios which narrate our insights into a story. This story is a spontaneous reflection of what happened at the Convention Camp, and we will share it at the end of the day with all.

The session is facilitated by Pedro Pineda. It is designed to visualize an spontaneous reflection to the Convention Camp and what is happening at this very moment. The session is inspired by betahaus as you know which is a co-working space. Here things are not predictable, some things are very contradictory and irrational people try to change the world.

Process

This process should not be seen as a fix scientific structure but rather functions as the drum’s player in a jazz concert. It serves as a reference for participants and it might be spontaneously updated, changed or ignored depending on the flow.

Part 1: Gathering insights (Open to all)

• 9:00 – 10:00; betabreakfast
• 10:00 – 12:00; Scout the convention looking for insights

Part 2: Understand insight and find out patterns (Open to all)

• 13:30 – 14:00; Cluster insights
• 14:00 – 14:50; Open* Discussion (The discussion is open for all to participate, but be aware that it is facilitated and that might get uncomfortable)

Part 3: Creating stories

• 15:00 – 16:30; Envisioning scenarios, Session*to translate ideas into tangible stories. (*Session for 20 participants, sign up required)
• 16:30 – 16:45; Present and film scenarios
• 20:00; Present video with the visualized story.

Team

The session will be kickstarted by Anne, Alessandro, Rick, Maximilian,  and Ricardo. All from different backgrounds, have never work together before, do not even have an action plan,  but are all co-workers willing to get out of their comfort zone. (Full bios can be find online at www.betahaus.de)

Anne Kjær Riechert: The Dreamer (anne@kaospilot.dk): Anne is a 2006 graduate from the KaosPilots in Denmark.. Since 2006, Anne organizes -We Have a Dream- global workshops to empower youth through drawings and discussions about their dreams for the future.

Alessandro Contini: The Realist (www.alessandrocontini.it): Alessandro is a designer and a tech savvy.  He works with sounds, images and coding.  Currently he’s a freelance creative technologist,  interactive artist and regular hackathon-goer!

Maximilian Doerner: The Futurist (@maximiliandoe): Max is a Future managment researcher and Business Anthropologist engaged in a multitude of fields including future analysis and foresight, design thinking as well as business culture and innovation management

Pedro Pineda: The Connector (@pedropiba): Pedro is an experiences and process designer. He develops ways to apply collective &  creative problem solving to challenges that affect us as individuals or as society. And the application of design and art to inspire activism.

Ricardo Ferrer:The generalist (@ricferrer): Ric uses his extensive experience in management, design and programming to  advise and help in the conceptual design on all projects he is involved  with. His multi-cultural  background serves him well in order to predict the needs of an emerging  digital generation of nomadic professionals.

RicK Scavetta: The Optimist (rick.scavetta@science-craft.com): Rick, as a co-founder of Science Craft, he is dedicated to offering outstanding transferable skills training to graduate students in the life sciences. Rick combines his infectious enthusiasm for science and its communication with a unique ability to inspire life scientists in their career development

The core of betahaus is doing stuff. It’s doing projects, doing it yourself, learning by doing, making things, producing or  getting things done. We figured out that this is the perfect way for people to learn things, improve their skills and stay motivated on the way. Talking – Hell now! Let’s do more stuff.

We want to contribute a whole Weekend to this. It’s called MAKER WEEKEND and we are cooking a series of workshops for you on Saturdays and Sundays that are 100% focused on making.

What does this mean? Well, it just means that say we’ll have a workshop on designing lamps, you’ll actually make your own lamp and take it home. Taking a workshop on founding a company means you’ll actually found your company on site. Code-Workshops will produce working codes, design workshops will produce products. Easy, no?

We’ll test this format with a limited number of participants on december 8th & 9th.

The Design Workshops will all be sourced by Open Design City and the Build or Buy Store. The whole event will be facilitated by our lovely friends and Artists in Residents @betahaus Capsuling.me . In the exact middle of the whole happening (on Saturday night at 6 pm) we will host an awesome Design Market where you could find truly cool Christmas presents for those whom you anyway have to congratulate. NO hart-shaped gingerbreads included – as said, ONLY cool design products!

Well, that’s it for now. Next monday we’ll have a very hand tight idea of what exactly is going on and you can start signing up for the exact workshops you want to catch.

Over and out

c