The brief we gave our artists was ‘digital animals’. They each chose a three letter file extension, or digital acronym, and then set about illustrating it using three animals, and just black, white and one colour.

Colour separations we’re sent through, and with the help of the skilled staff at AUCB, here’s what we produced…

Before I wash the ink off my hands, arms, face and clothes, and out of my hair and ears, I thought I’d grab a quick beer and ten minutes to jot down a few words.

It’s been an amazing few days, hanging out in the print studios at AUCB, being expertly guided through the screen printing process, and getting messy along the way.

A small herd of regular Meetdraw attendees have given up their weekends and evenings to brainstorm, design, and finally print their own artwork. For most it was a process that was entirely alien though layered with tradition. It was fascinating to move away from digital screen to make something with our hands, something that was physically more tangible, and produce a series of identical images that are subtly unique at the same time.

We’ve produced a dozen or so designs and printed a limited edition of ten of each. They’ll be on sale at Meetdraw8 on Thursday. Each print will be £15 (sorry cash only), and once they’re gone they’re gone, so bring some dosh and get there early!

AUCB have kindly waived the costs of our workshops so we are delighted that all the proceeds from the print sales can go to charity. The charity we have chosen is Compassion in World Farming. Two thirds of the takings will go to the charity and one third will be used by their local support group Compassionate Dorset to help with local events and projects.

Compassionate Dorset is run by volunteers, including talented local digital people, like Anna and Stu, who’ll also be joining us on Thursday. Check out their cool tees, we’re hoping they’ll be able to bring some along for sale.

Finally I’d like to give a massive shout out to all who have helped with this project. To Neil and Lisa at the AUCB who lead and guided us brilliantly, to the students and technicians who helped us with unerring patience, and to all our artists who pitched in, pitched up and had fun.

See you all Thursday

It seems amazing that this will be our 8th Meetdraw. This year’s Christmas MeetBall, on December 16th, will mark two years of Meetdrawing.

Time seems to have flown by since Meetdraw 1 (hands up who remembers that evening in iBar?) We’ve come such a long way since then, and we’re delighted to be at the centre of a more open and collaborative local culture. Over the last 24 months we’ve also enjoyed meeting, and working with, some extremely talented, passionate, energetic and vibrant individuals.

Meetdraw has always been about (and for) our digital community and without the time, skills, money, advocacy and support of those mentioned above, very little would have been possible.

To try and say thank you for all this support, we’re working closely with those that have helped us, and we’re running two screen printing days with our friends at AUCB. We hope these workshops are going to be fun, we have an idea they’re going to be messy!

We’ll be producing a set of limited edition prints, which we’ll be auctioning off at Meetdraw 8. All the money is going to charity, so start measuring up your walls, dust off your cheque books, and get ready to own your very own ‘digital animals’.

We’ll also be sharing some of our 2011 plans so put the Thursday 16th December in your diaries now and we’ll see you then for our big Christmas party.

Megaphone from Jamie White on Vimeo.

It’s not just the cheap drinks that bring them out of the woodwork, besides with all us weathered old professionals guarding the bar in our practised and honed manner, they rarely get to push through to the front. If you speak to the students at Meetdraw you’ll realise there’s an enthusiasm and willingness not only to be involved with the digital industry but also to shape it.

Some of the students we’ve met have greatly impressed us with their energy, commitment and talent. So much so in fact, that when they suggested that they’d like to run a meetdraw, and were so bold to propose that they could do it better than us and perhaps “show us a thing or two”, how could we refuse?

With just days to go I know the students are still working hard on this event. So far, they haven’t disappointed, and ‘Meetdraw 7 the student takeover’ looks like it could be an epic!

No pressure guys (-;

I like the number six. I always have. It’s one of my favourites. Well certainly in my top ten, but then I guess it’s in every top ten.

• Six is the smallest perfect number.
• There are six strings on a standard guitar.
• A coffin is traditionally buried six feet under the ground.
• Six, in Latin, is sex, a fact that I’ll never forget ever since our Latin teacher made me shout it out as loud as I could (while counting to ten) as he hung me by the ankles out of a first floor window.
• A client of mine once said “all Mexicans have six sides”. With hindsight, she might have said “hexagons” but it was a dull meeting and I was staring out of the window and not really paying much attention.

Six is also, of course, the number of degrees of Kevin Bacon, and while we’re on the subject of meat, it looks like number six was quite possibly the best Meetdraw yet?

A fab evening

From the comments we’ve had via twitter, email and face to face, it seems that everyone enjoyed it.
It may have been the sunny weather, the stunning seaside view, or the great venue that tipped it, but for sure, all these things together form the very best of what Bournemouth has to offer. Add to that our mix of Meetdraw digital animals ready to chat, share, drink and have fun together then you can see why it was such a fabulous evening.

Spirits were high throughout the evening as the crowds increased, and there was an overriding feeling of determination and a sense of togetherness despite the less than cheery economic prospects that loom large.

With all our holidays, job changes, honeymoons (congratulations Mr Seys) and sabbaticals getting in the way, it’s been trickier than usual to organize Meetdraw and it certainly wouldn’t have been possible without all those who came forward to help, volunteering their time, money, or both.

Thanks again

We’d like to thank these people again, so could the following please stand up and take a bow:

• Nick (who spent 4 hours on BBQ duty and burnt his hands) & our chefs Rachel, Kriss, Tom and Neil
• Lou, and her fabulous helpers from The Green deli
• Lulubelles cakes for some seriously scrumptious cakey treats (it seems 8 is the record to get into your mouth at once)
• Folk for supplying the BBQ, food, pink plates and branded beers
• Redweb and especially Damian for the design work you may have seen here and there
• Dorset Design Forum & Creative Advantage for paying for the venue (keep an eye on DDF, there’s some big changes happening soon!)
• And our new friends from Bristol AdLib recruitment who sponsored the rounder’s tournament and the sandcastle competition, as well as being jolly good chaps and very nice to talk to

We need you

MeetDraw is an event run for, and by, our local digital community and we’re always on the look out for new volunteers to help each time and help share the love. So, give us a shout and let us know if you’d like to be part of future plans.

Meetdraw 7 ?

Yep, of course, but you’ll have to wait for the Autumn. And it’s going to be a student takeover. That’s right, we bumped into a group of students who reckon that they can put on a Meetdraw that puts all others to shame, so we’ve called their bluff and challenged them to prove it. The bar’s been raised now, so let’s see if they feel the pressure?

Now let me see, seven?… hmmm, there are seven fundamental types of catastrophes. Good luck (-;

We’ll also be handing out prizes for the best meat themed sandcastle creations. So come along, bring a beer or two, and get some sand in your pants!

Check out a whole bunch of photos on Flickr and see what other Meetdrawers want for Christmas.

Thanks to John Parker and Jamie White for capturing it all.

We’re chuffed that Creative Advantage & the Dorset Design Forum have again given us a huge chunk of money to put behind the bar. Those of you that get there early enough can swap your signature for one of our beer tokens.