The Independents Hall website was launched yesterday, and I cannot tell you how good it feels to contribute to an organization such as this. The IH meeting earlier this week left me very anxious for more. Alex has given me the coworking bug and I am studying all I can on the subject. It has also made me revisit the foundations of my design philosophy.

Alex’s little synopsis of what Independents Hall was all about, and how the idea of coworking could really benefit the Philadelphian freelancer, gets right in line with my Bauhaus driven design philosophy. Echoes of the Wiener Werkstätte and the Werkbund, founded by Hermann Muthesius and Peter Behrens; rang in my ear as the meeting progressed. I could not help but consider that both of those early design organizations probably started the same way.

Both were founded on the idea …

About an hour ago I was informed that this site and Miskeen Originals were featured on The Best Design! This is my debut on a CSS design showcase and I hope it is not the last. It means so much to me to have not just one, but two of my sites featured.

Thanks TBD! I will not forget it!

I also discovered that I am showcased on Pro Web Art as well! It appears that my exposure is more widespread than I had originally thought!

This is really a good feeling, I mean I knew I was a decent designer, but to be highlighted on showcases just reinforces my confidence as a designer.

Thanks All!

Tuesday of this week Alex Hillman and myself meet-up for a couple of beers at Eulogy. I had only known Alex through the PANMA list-srv, where we traded occasional banter. I knew he was a developer who had recently returned from SXSW, and really had his hand on the pulse of current, positive, web trends. Someone who’s experience and talent I could really get on board with and start coworking.

Independents Hall, is a philly based coworking community started by Alex earlier this year. The basic premise is to create a community of independents; sharing off of mutual success in a professional, yet cafe-like atmosphere. The idea; while I am sure was thought of by many independents, was placed into motion in San Fransisco by Brad Neuberg, back in 2005.

As a newly independent/freelance designer I was starting to feel the rough edges of working from …

This is an exchange between my brother and a fellow Match.com hopeful named VitaminC29! Vincent noticed that one of the friends in her profile pictures was an old high school buddy. So Vincent decided to have a little fun asking about his friend, by emailing VitaminC29; this is the result:

Vincent:
I’m sorry, but is that Jackie Basgil in that picture with you?

VitaminC29:
Sure is…how do you know Jackie?

Vincent:
We actually went to high school together. I haven’t seen her in quite sometime, but I hear she’s married now.

VitaminC29:
Not yet but close. The wedding is this summer. Who should I say asked about her?

Vincent:
My apologies, my name is Vincent Bilotta III (actually, I was kidding about the III part, it just sounds pretty funny) So yeah, if you can pass along my regards that would be great. I’m sorry for making you a liaison, it was not my intention.

Thanks!

Vincent

P.S. Li-ai-son (noun)
1. a channel …

Below are the PANMA badges that I created for all the members of the group. I did three for different uses. The smallest is the traditional 80×15 web badge, the other two are light and dark button styles.