Speaking at CHAOSScon Africa 2023 | Lessons Learned
I was allowed to present a lightning talk at CHAOSScon, a moment I will never forget. CHAOSScon Africa is a conference that brings together developers, designers, community managers, and others interested in contributing or building open-source software. I met members of the CHAOSS community in Africa and gave a talk titled (A Day in the Life of an Open-Source Designer.)
I returned home after completing my final-year exams. I started an internship immediately, but unfortunately, I was terminated a month later for reasons unknown. I did not know what to do; I was running in circles until, one faithful afternoon in August 2022, I came across a series of tweets that Layer 5 was looking for UX designers to contribute to their project. I filled out the form and waited for a couple of days with no response. I decided to take matters into my own hands; I looked them up, joined the Slack channel, introduced myself, took part in meetings (even the ones I wasn’t supposed to be a part of), and three months later, after design contributions, I bid the project farewell.
Wonderful Wins
Invitation to Participate in an NDA Project
I had the opportunity to contribute to a project. I declined because my service year was about to begin, and I could not juggle those responsibilities.
Presenting at Hacktoberfest Prep
I was invited to speak at the Hacktoberfest Prep session, a virtual event aimed at empowering designers to make meaningful contributions. In my lightning talk, I discussed the importance of thoughtful design, user-centric approaches, and collaboration within Layer 5.
Recognition as a Community Profile
I received recognition for my diligent efforts. My consistent contributions and commitment to the open-source community led to a community profile highlighting my achievements and dedication. It was a humbling moment to see my name alongside other contributors who were making significant impacts on the project.
Spectacular Setbacks
Accidentally Deleting the Newcomers Resource Guide
While decluttering my Google Drive, I deleted the newcomer's resource guide. An act I still regret to this day. I reached out to the project maintainers to apologize for my unintentional act. All was forgiven, but the damage had already been done.
Stagnation on Tasks
I would find myself stuck on tasks; I did not ask for help, nor did I let someone else tackle them. This happened a few times, and while at it, I realized I needed to reflect and seek new sources of inspiration and perspectives. I eventually came out of it.
Non-participation in Hacktoberfest
My convocation ceremony and preparation for orientation camp took my focus away from this event. Looking back, I see this as an excuse because if I wanted to contribute, I would have done so no matter what. This year will be different. I know it.
I realized that Hacktoberfest is more than just a month-long event; it embodies a spirit of collaboration, inclusivity, and open-source contributions that transcends time.
Moving Forward
Do not be embarrassed by your failures, learn from them and start again
Through my journey, I’ve discovered the power of being proactive, documenting experiences, and sharing them with others. This mindset has allowed me to showcase progress, learn from mistakes, and inspire fellow contributors to open source. It is crucial to overcome the fear of asking for help, as guidance from others who have faced similar challenges provides valuable insights and support. In a rapidly evolving world, curiosity and openness to knowledge are essential for personal and professional growth. Let’s be proactive, document, share our journey, seek help, and never stop learning.
Feedback from the audience
After my talk, we had another session, followed by a short break. I asked a few attendees what they thought about my session and suggested areas for improvement. These are what I discovered:
- Started with storytelling to keep the audience engaged, a great presentation.
- I could have been more vocal; attendees at the back of the venue struggled to listen to me.
- I started great and rushed to the end without really talking about the design aspect of my presentation.
- My slides were minimal, meaning the attendees listened more.
Conclusion
My key message in the presentation, this article, and generally would be to take the extra step and be proactive. Ask questions, do not be afraid to ask for help when you are stuck, and document and share your journey, as this can help someone we never know. The opportunities in the world of open source are endless—not just for designers and developers but for everyone!
What next?
Looking to get started in Open-Source? Here are some resources to get you started; please share in the comments any I might have missed.
- https://opensource.guide/
- https://oscafrica.org/
- https://movi.hashnode.dev/designers-can-contribute-to-open-source-too-1
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FA0PoIx_x4M
- https://opensauced.pizza/
- https://twitter.com/victorybrown_/status/1666480373843238917?s=61&t=wvOfjGQu81UVX-34jW1qzA
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVD1LNDxOnc
I am grateful to CHAOSS Africa for the opportunity to present this talk. Thank you, Victory Brown, for helping in the preparation of my slides and delivering the talk. Thank you to all the amazing speakers and the stellar attendees for reading this article. I appreciate you.
