speaking on Ashley Kolodziej - Boston Freelance Web Designer

Prototyping, reflection, and identity: Unusual applications of the WordPress REST API

ashley@lastletterdesign.com (Ashley Kolodziej) — Fri, 23 Feb 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Speaking at LoopConf was an incredible (and terrifying) opportunity. Going up to that podium as someone who knows just enough PHP to get by - and speaking about my experiences to a room full of the smartest WordPress developers out there - is something I’ll always be grateful for. But I’ll never forget the feeling of having K. Adam White introduce himself to me and say how much my talk meant to him. It didn’t fully hit me until later that he wrote the REST API.

His words go on record as some of the kindest things anyone’s ever said about anything I’ve ever done.

From the teaser:

In this talk we present case studies of two unusual real-world uses of the WordPress REST API: a rapid prototype which leverages existing course feed data to test the interface of a course scheduling tool, and a compelling editorial story on identity, trauma, oppression, and hope whose design updates with readers’ answers in real time. We’ll explore the unique benefits and challenges of each situation and how the REST API empowered us to face each challenge, from improving usability testing and feedback on a short schedule to appropriately curating and protecting the experience of contributing to and interacting with personal, intimate, and sensitive subjects. You’ll get to see the full thinking and process behind each project so when you go home, you have what you need to inspire your team to create those new and exciting possibilities you’re always hearing about at the end of REST API talks.

Presented at LoopConf 2018.

I do(n't) belong here

ashley@lastletterdesign.com (Ashley Kolodziej) — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 00:00:00 +0000

From the teaser:

Have you been faking it this whole time? Yeah, me too. In this session we’re going to have a heart to heart about what it’s like to experience imposter syndrome and what leads us to put unending pressure on ourselves to achieve. We’ll talk about growing up, entering the workforce and the challenges imposters face in their careers.

And if you’re not an imposter, that’s okay too, because we’ll also talk about ways to create environments that encourage everyone to contribute and take risks. The causes of these feelings are complex and widespread, and there is no simple way to get rid of them. But we can take steps to help everyone become more comfortable with what they don’t know so we don’t leave the smartest people in the room behind.

Presented at WPCampus 2017.

Creating meaningful editorial experiences with the WordPress REST API

ashley@lastletterdesign.com (Ashley Kolodziej) — Mon, 20 Mar 2017 00:00:00 +0000

See the post on Link: The Journal of Higher Education Web Professionals

Let's Just Build It: Seven Years of Framework Development at Boston University

ashley@lastletterdesign.com (Ashley Kolodziej) — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 00:00:00 +0000

From the teaser:

The inside look at how the four most terrifying words ever uttered in development history have worked out for Boston University. We’ll cover seven years of successes and lessons learned in framework development, including enforcing brand guidelines in the site, when to allow customization and when to say no, and how on earth to make one codebase flexible enough to accommodate the requests we foresee – and the ones we don’t. If you’ve ever considered using a theme framework to power your WordPress sites, this is the case study for you.

Presented with Steve Rudolfi at WPCampus Online 2017.

WordPress in Higher Education Panel

ashley@lastletterdesign.com (Ashley Kolodziej) — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 00:00:00 +0000

From the WordPress in Education Panel at WordCamp Boston 2016.

Learn to Love Documentation

ashley@lastletterdesign.com (Ashley Kolodziej) — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 00:00:00 +0000

From the teaser:

You don’t know it yet, but documentation is actually AMAZING. Channel your inner educator and get inspired! We’ll talk about the different ways developers and end users try to solve problems, where they look to find information, and how you can get ahead of those needs by putting your recommendations in those places. Documentation is an amazing and complex problem that doesn’t end at a wiki full of pages—so let’s talk about how we can use our UI, different ways of phrasing and explaining, and the features we have available in WordPress to be the best teachers we can be.

This was my first time ever speaking at a conference and I did two back to back. And then I was subtly volunteered (volun-told?) to do a panel on WordPress in education to boot. I’ve come so far in terms of public speaking in the past few years, and it was incredibly empowering and fulfilling to be able to share my knowledge and passion with others. I’ll definitely be doing it again soon.

… but maybe not two back to back.

Presented at the 2016 WPCampus Conference and at WordCamp Boston 2016.