Review Jona Andersen

Jona Anderson studied political science and history at the University of Amsterdam. He’s a developer at startup Nouncy, and is founding his own project: Mesoica.

He joined the Hackers & Designers summer academy because he is interested in the field of digital art, and design thinking. He wanted to develop a better understanding of the economical, cultural and social implications that working as a software developer can have.

After the Hackers & Designers summer school we asked him about his impressions.

Workshops

The 8 day summer school was very learnfull and interesting but at the same time very demanding and intense. Next time I'd prefer less workshops and more days to work on idea’s, collaboration and do extensive feedback/discussions session with all participants about it. It would also be good to insert a break of a day during the summer school so the participants can relax and maybe do another non Hackers & Designers related activity togheter. On the other hand the strict and fast deadlines made sure the different working groups 'made' something. The groups had to come up with a solution or idea as quick as possible. I really liked the workshop of Daniël van de Velde, Error Messages, because it had a theoretic approach of design and coding. Level hackers was easy for example: python plant. But James: lifted it up an took it further> did more then what was expected.

Participants

Liked the contact with other disciplines Contact with participants: Mark-Jan van Tellingen for example: way of working, doing research about digital media and receiving a grant for it. Group dimension: more interaction between Hackers & Designers 80% designers 20% hackers Good that Anja, Selby and James (organisers) also participated with the workshop. > informal atmosphere

Excursions

Waag: I already been there and after seeing the labs I really felt like doing something with the available material.

Impact

Work: attitude change. Interaction and new ideas.

Suggestions for next year

relation print and web. Theoretic approach of Hackers and Designers. Invite Rune Madsen: Printing code: intersection graphic design and code. Generative form.