Resources
On this page you will find links to other Labs, books, articles, websites, presentations and tools which may be of value to you in aspects of developing a project or business.
Sources of Funding in the UK.
This presentation was given by Jason Ball of Greater London Enterprise at the London Innovation Lab in March 2006. It lists sources of finance for creative businesses; some will be relevant only to companies based in London.
Download Presentation: Sources of Finance
Labs, development workshops, training
AFI Digital Content Lab
Formerly the Enhanced TV Workshop, the AFI started these workshops at the same time as we launched the original Multimedia Labs at Bore Place. The AFI has chosen a slightly different model from most of the others listed here in that the Workshop extends over a period of six months.
Crossover
Crossover Australia is a creative think tank that brings together independent artists, writers, filmmakers and new media producers with the aim of developing innovative digital and interactive projects. Unexpected Media is designing and directing the next Crossover lab in February 2007.
LAMP
The Laboratory for Advanced Media Production at AFTRS in Sydney was set up by Gary Hayes, who worked with me to develop and deliver the first Interactive TV Labs at the BBC.
Performing Arts Labs
Where it all started for Unexpected Media. We developed the original model for the Multimedia Labs as a collaboration with PAL in 1996. They continue to do good work at Bore Place.
Sagas
One of the longest-established European Media Programme training projects, Sagas has been providing training and project development opportunities for people developing interactive narrative projects and games for nearly 10 years.
XMediaLab
Unexpected Media worked with Brendan Harkin to set up XMediaLab in 2002/2003. After a successful initial event in Sydney we haven’t had much further contact but subsequent Labs in Melbourne and Singapore seem to have been successful.
Articles
This paper was written for Creativity: Innovation and Industry a one-day conference designed to enhance creativity, innovation, and productivity aimed at business within the East Midlands. It looked at ways in which new technologies and new ways of thinking can be used to stimulate successful business innovation.
An article about pitching as a design tool written for the Sagasnet Reader on ‘developing interactive content’, June 2005
Books
The Act of Creation, Arthur Koestler
Part of Koestler’s trilogy on the human mind, “Creation” appears to be out of print in the UK. It’s one of the best books I’ve ever read on how creativity works.
The Web
Bruce Mau’s Incomplete Manifesto for Growth
Delivered as a conference presentation at the Doors of Perception, the manifesto is provocative and inspirational. You may not agree with all of it but it’s fun to try to complete it.
Charles Cave’s Creativity Web
A resource centre offering a range of techniques, books and other tools.