Thoughts on Being a Maker

Why making is important. Given to a group of young women in University for Microsoft's Codess Day.

3. There is something obscenely rewarding about making. There is a certain amount of self sufficiency. The ability to have an idea and execute it singlehandedly, or as part of team is empowering. Creation is amazing. We have known this for some time. 3
4. We spent our childhood making things. We made drawings. 4
5. We created worlds, with our own logic and our own rules. http://www.flickr.com/photos/megotthebeat/261637852/sizes/l/ 5
6. We bridged ideas and execution http://www.flickr.com/photos/jacie87/5015009883/sizes/l/ 6
7. We embraced play. At some point some of this changes a bit. http://www.flickr.com/photos/friesen4/9723089833/sizes/l/ 7
8. We become adults. And suddenly play becomes foreign. It is no longer a priority – it’s not the first thing we want to do and our idea of what play means has changed. We become more reserved. Everything we experience through a filter of restraint. http://markyoungtrainingsystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/hands-tied.jpg 8
9. We develop insecurities. Our definition of play changes. Being a maker means that we can find opportunities to encourage play. 9
10. Makers create moments. We craft experiences that create these moments – where the artifact that remains is a memory. http://markyoungtrainingsystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/hands-tied.jpg 10
11. We can build pop machines that dispense only if you hug it. http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/-A-7H4aOhq0/maxresdefault.jpg 11
12. We can create technology that enables other people to create - Eye Writer http://eyewriter.org/images/data/RoundOne/P1060131.JPG 12
13. http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/02/11/article-2556668-1B62B4EB00000578- 255_634x444.jpg We can provide an experience 13
14. We can draw, on draw on everything. http://jonburgerman.com http://www.brooklynstreetart.com/theblog/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/brooklyn- street-art-jon-burgerman-jaime-rojo-crestfest-2011-web-2.JPG 14
15. Seb Lee-Delisle Pixel Pyros http://pixelpyros.org/ We can take an interest and a passion and blow it up into something that other people can experience and help create 15
16. Debbie Sterling Goldiblox We can create new ways to empower others http://www.goldieblox.com/ http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-leadership/files/2013/11/Goldie_wall.jpg http://solidsmack.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/goldie-blox-02.jpg 16
17. Libs Elliott We can use code in non-traditional ways to create tangible artifacts http://www.libselliott.com/ http://2.bp.blogspot.com/- eQM5WH1eEkY/USQWzHrF9NI/AAAAAAAAAL0/aUVYfQEU4ys/s1600/detail.jpg 17
18. Adafruit – Limor Fried http://www.adafruit.com/ http://cdn.physorg.com/newman/gfx/news/hires/2013/sdg5ygtr.jpg We can create a business around making and enabling makers. 18
19. Brendan Dawes http://brendandawes.com/ We can take a simple idea and bring a sense of delight to everyday. http://brendandawes.com/content/02-projects/happinessmachine/DSC_0174.jpg 19
20. We develop insecurities. Our definition of play changes. Being a maker means that we can find opportunities to encourage play. 20
21. Don’t let fear stop you. Makers make. Perfection is paralysis. Avoid it. Just do. Make more. 21
22. Thank you? 22