Ep 18: Demoing Gogomi at Atelier S02 Showcase!
Atelier UBC is a coworking space I’ve been visiting every other weekend to work on Gogomi, an app for tracking and visualizing walking adventures. After attending their first session, I was captivated by the energy and decided to make it a bi-weekly ritual over the past three months. It’s been a fun journey, filled with cool people and productive co-working sessions.
Today marked the end of Season 2 with a grand demo session. Creators all came together to share their projects and progress. I registered to present Gogomi, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness.
As I rushed into the room at 12-ish (admittedly, slightly late), I was greeted by a bustling atmosphere. People bounced around, chatting about their projects amidst the scent of coffee and Tim Hortons treats. A few instruments were scattered about, and fellow presenters hunched over their laptops, making last-minute tweaks. I quickly found a seat, hurriedly finishing my slides before the showcase began.
The organizers kicked off the event with inspiring speeches about Atelier UBC's origins and vision, which resonated with me. One of the valuable aspects of this space is its 'demo culture'. Having to present regularly has been a powerful motivator, pushing me to focus on tangible progress. This culture influenced Gogomi's direction, steering me towards developing a user-friendly iOS app so that others could use it.
When my turn came, I displayed the giant map of my adventures, sharing stories behind new walks I'd done, including the heart-shaped route from yesterday. I also went into some technical details of the project. Afterwards, folks asked good questions and shared kudos, with many expressing interest in getting their own Gogomis for their own walks!
Seeing the diverse range of projects was inspiring: from webcomics to classical arrangements. It's clear that spaces like Atelier UBC play a crucial role in fostering creativity and community. As Season 2 closes, I'm looking forward to the next one, ready to share and learn again.
Here's to a season of building, learning, and growing together at Atelier UBC! Check out the Twitter thread from Atelier UBC for event highlights.