Network Events

We figured the upstairs studio is such a nice space why not rent it out? So we do, and we now run it as a separate division called The Sense Loft. Rockstar Games quite like to use it as a testing space and the likes of Reuters, Johnson & Johnson and the BBC often use it for filming, brainstorming sessions and workshops.

We also offer the space freely to Sensers who want to put on talks, exhibitions or workshops for the benefit of other Network members. This year we have proudly sponsored It’s Nice That talks, Innovation Forum events, Service Design Thinks, and Ian Jindal’s Digital Trends event among others.

What is the Sense Network?

It all started shortly before the dot com bubble at the turn of this century, when a handful of diverse people met up in their living rooms to talk about emerging trends, and subjects that interested them. Attracted by intimate suppers and organised artistic events, this small network of creative professionals grew as more people signed up to be part of something new.

From these informal beginnings The Sense Network has grown purely by word of mouth into a global community of smart and articulate individuals who share knowledge, exchange ideas, and discuss the world around them; we call them ‘Sensers’. In client projects, Sensers work with us through interviews, workshops and Sense Worldwide’s online tools. We also set non-commercial briefs and hold events where Sensers meet up and take part, such as these….

A4art

Back in August 2002 we held the very first A4art in Amsterdam. The idea came about as the perfect vehicle to promote the idea of the Sense Network and the Sensers themselves. The idea is simple. A brief is sent out to the Sense Network and Sensers respond by creating a piece. They then send it to us and we curate the exhibition. The only requirement is that the piece must be made from one A4 piece of material. The obvious material being paper but anything is accepted as long as it’s A4.

Since then we’ve also held new A4art exhibitions in Buenos Aires, London and very recently Chongqing city in China, which was brought to our loft space in time for the 2009 Chinese New Year celebrations. For more details, visit the A4art website.

I Love My…

The I Love My… series aims to demonstrate the talent and diversity of the network by getting them to do something fun.

In 2005, after completing the Herman Miller office chair project we realised how attached people can get to their favourite chairs. So we decided to publish a book called I Love My Chair as an open source project involving the Network. We asked Sensers to send us photos of their favourite chairs and an explanation of why they love them so much. The latest topics in the series include I Love My Mum and I Love My T-shirt.

Sense Summer Art Fair

Last Summer we created a platform and offered free space in Sense Loft for Sensers to sell and promote their work to the general public over a weekend in July. To generate interest and showcase the works on offer, we also created a blog and online store for the event.

One Senser, Artist Phillip Marsden conveniently had a spot on Anthony Gormley’s fourth plinth in Trafalgar square in the middle of the private view party which was an unexpected opportunity to promote the event to hundreds of surrounding people and thousands of online viewers.

Over the weekend we managed to entice passing trade. Over 600 members of the public came through the doors to see the work and find out about Sense Worldwide and the Sense Network.