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For my last day here on #imakefoss (how did that go so quick!?) I want to talk about mentorship in OSS from a design specific point of view.
-Eriol @EriolDoesDesign
-Eriol @EriolDoesDesign
So I’m a big fan of #OSS internship programs in OSS like #GSoC and #Outreachy. I’ve been a support mentor on both of these programs for a technical project.
-Eriol @EriolDoesDesign
-Eriol @EriolDoesDesign
And over the last few years, there have been more OSS projects asking for design interns for these programs. Which is a great move towards design inclusion in OSS from multiple experience level.
-Eriol @EriolDoesDesign
-Eriol @EriolDoesDesign
But there needs to be more opportunities for non-code functions to participate in OSS through schemes that offer support and mentorship throughout.
-Eriol @EriolDoesDesign
-Eriol @EriolDoesDesign
What I’d really love to see is a dedicated fellowship, mentorship and support scheme for designers doing projects in OSS.
-Eriol @EriolDoesDesign
-Eriol @EriolDoesDesign
And for the OSS projects to have enough support internally (or through the scheme) with designers that have both management/mentoring experience and OSS experience in order to help the OSS ask for what they need!
-Eriol @EriolDoesDesign
-Eriol @EriolDoesDesign
I remember talking to @simplysecureorg about one of the programs they ran for fellowships for designers in Privacy, Security and OSS tools:
https://simplysecure.org/blog/SUDS
-Eriol @EriolDoesDesign
https://simplysecure.org/blog/SUDS
-Eriol @EriolDoesDesign
As well as this internship/fellowship structure, I’d like to see non-OSS organisations, companies and agencies offer on-staff designers the opportunity to give back to OSS like some do for non-profit/charity projects. but in a sustainable way.
-Eriol @EriolDoesDesign
-Eriol @EriolDoesDesign
We often speak in the ‘tech for good’ sector that ‘drop in’, ‘pro bono’ or ‘short term’ volunteer help is actually hard to maintain as sustainable work in the long term. Many OSS projects also can struggle with this.
-Eriol @EriolDoesDesign
-Eriol @EriolDoesDesign
When something like design support is given in small pieces, when there isn’t an existing design resource, the contributions can be extremely difficult to take through to implementation.
-Eriol @EriolDoesDesign
-Eriol @EriolDoesDesign
So trying to form a longer-term relationship with an OSS project as a designer is really useful for the project.
-Eriol @EriolDoesDesign
-Eriol @EriolDoesDesign
When design becomes a consistent presence in the project you’ll be doing just as much (or more!) good as a big and shiny project ‘re-design’
-Eriol @EriolDoesDesign
-Eriol @EriolDoesDesign
There are so, so many topics to talk about with Open Source Design! I’ve barely been able to scratch the surface of the topics and discussions!
-Eriol @EriolDoesDesign
-Eriol @EriolDoesDesign
I’d like to warmly invite folks over to the @opensrcdesign discourse forum to explore, chat, share and learn about how design and FOSS continue to move forward.
https://discourse.opensourcedesign.net/
-Eriol @EriolDoesDesign
https://discourse.opensourcedesign.net/
-Eriol @EriolDoesDesign
and to keep an eye on the @SustainOSS Design and UX working group: https://sustainoss.org/working-groups/design-and-ux/
Especially for when we start to drop our podcast episodes around sustaining Design and UX in OSS!
-Eriol @EriolDoesDesign
Especially for when we start to drop our podcast episodes around sustaining Design and UX in OSS!
-Eriol @EriolDoesDesign
