Josh Sager Media: Creative Technologies Blog

Okay so that’s a little cheesy, but seriously there is a lot going on in Pittsburgh concerning Web, Art, Design, and Development. Over the last 10 years Pittsburgh has developed into a hotbed of niche communities.  I only wish I could represent them all in this post but I only know what I know. It seems there’s a group for just about anything.  Which is great! As knowledge workers we no longer have to suffer alone slowly sinking in solutions that are just out of reach. There’s a strong community ready to help support the every day web warrior.

Last night just further confirmed in my eyes that we’ve got to have one of the best communities in the country. It’s seems like every month I’m learning about another niche technology group that’s been meeting for several years.

More than Meets the Eye

So if you’re keeping tabs and are looking for something to do stop by any one of these fine user groups. Again this is NOT a complete list.  Only things that I’ve run into.

Organizations - Meetings - Gatherings

• Flash Users Group
• Refresh Pittsburgh
• Pittsburgh Dev House
• Hack PGH
• PHP Users Group
• E-Learning Guild
• Drupal Users Group
• Pittsburgh SEO Group
• Pittsburgh Internet and Marketing SEO Group
• BlogFest
• Cold Fusion Users Group
• Artist Imaging Resource - Screen Printing
• Dr. Sketchy
• Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators
• Pittsburgh Film Makers
• AIGA
• Tweet Ups
• Drink and Draw
• Pittsburgh Web Design Meet Up
• Build Guild
• DorkBot
• PGH Coding Dojo
• Geek Night
• Western PA Linux Group
• Java User Group
• .Net User Group
• PCUG

Annul Events

• FlashPitt
• Web Design Day
• Podcamp Pittsburgh
• Art and Code
• Handmade Arcade
• Pinball Championship (okay it’s not art or code, but come on that’s awesome!)
• AIGA Portfolio Reviews
• Various Gallery Crawls
• 3 Rivers Arts Fest

These are just the things that I’m aware of in the Web, Art, and Design scene and it’s growing every day. If you want to see what’s happening, need advice on a project, or just want to talk shop with other people who understand “you do computers?” and “dis one deer draws perty pitchers n’at” is not a accurate description of what you do for a living get involved.

Every now and again I come across some ideas I wish I had first.  Some of them are really clever, some are just really simple. Mostly my appreciation comes from thinking DAMNIT I should have thought of that.  Nevertheless I wanted to pass along a few things that are fun, clever, and definitly good ideas.

There is a designer disclaimer here by the way.  If you don’t get it I apologize cause you’re not in the club.  If you do get it then congrats you should be receiving your cool designer live-strong bracelet and horn-rimmed glasses in the mail within the next few weeks.

• A Font Game - Rachel: Credit for showing me
• Font Periodic Table - Ben Pritchard: Credit for showing me
• Study of A-Holes - Samantha Warren: Credit for showing me

Every other Wednesday for the past year I’ve hosted an open mic night at the coolest coffee shop in Pittsburgh, Affogato. These are fliers to help promote the event.

Eventually these suckers are going to be screen printed. It’s my latest addiction

It’s a great time and it’s still going on. So if you’re free on a Wednesday night, stop by grab a cup of coffee, enjoy the tunes, and if you’re feeling spicy grab the mic and join in on the fun.

Tonight was the big screen printing adventure.  As mentioned before, the last time I tried this it was a huge failure.  So big in fact I think it was on the fail blog for like 10 weeks straight.

Jim Dandies Screen Printed Cards

Anyway I was very nervous about messing up, but in the end it all worked out.  I went in with a simple game plan.  Take it slow and keep it simple. That was just what the doctor ordered. Before I knew it I had about 30 cards printed and people were walking up to me and giving me props on my work. Totally awesome!!!

I went with a one color design and I doubled up on my acetate. A co-worker of mine suggested I do that and he was right on the money. So all of your Pittsburgher’s out there that want something cool to do on a Tuesday night.  Check out AIR.  I did all of this for only $5.

I’m already thinking about doing a 2-color print.  Ohh the possibilities.