Hello everyone!

Wondering how this all started?

Well, I've loved interactive experiences for a very long time. Escape games, scavenger hunts, augmented reality games. Unless it's horror-related, you name it, and I probably like it.

I came across augmented reality as a concept in 2013, while I was still a computer science student, and was intrigued by how technology can enhance the information you get from the real world. And then in early 2016 (April, I believe), I attended a seminar on game development and gamification. So a few months later, when Pokémon Go came out, I got excited to see that an augmented reality game could exist and that I could combine augmented reality and gamification. I remember talking to some friends in 2017 (fresh out of university then) about that and telling them I'd love to be making game experiences in the future - you know, when I'll be "grown up" and have "things sorted out".

But then, I didn't really have a plan. So I started working as a software developer because it's something I knew how to do - and don't get me wrong, I LOVE programming, so it wasn't really a burden. Yet, later, when I went for my Master's degree, and I had to choose a topic for my thesis, what a surprise, I went for augmented reality and gamification. Which, to be fair, can be used either from a programming aspect or an experience. But still, at the moment, I was a programmer, and I should be working as a programmer, right?

It took a few more years to realise, though, that this is not what I want to do in my life.
And things will never be sorted out, and the timing will never be perfect.
I just had to go after my dream, and with enough work, enough persistence, a lot of failures, and some luck - I will have to MAKE it happen.

Anyway, inspirational words aside, in 2023, I decided to start working on any interactive experiences I could find. Personal projects, as a volunteer, or for friends. Having worked for a few years as a software engineer helped A LOT with the technical aspect of things, but I knew I needed some experience in events to get a better grasp of how live experiences work, so I started volunteering as an event coordinator. I met some amazing people there, and I even got to lead a couple of events. And having gotten more confident in my skills, I started working on experiences for others outside of my circle of friends.

Overall, I consider it a nice journey. I like that I tried different things I enjoy doing. How would I know what I want to do professionally otherwise? Theory only doesn't cut it.
I'm glad I have a variety of skills that help me understand and use concepts from different fields.
I'm glad I can write code myself because I understand what is possible, what is easy to implement and what problems may arise during the implementation.
I'm glad I have organised events because I know how to plan event logistics, how to engage with people, and how to deal with issues that come up.
I'm glad I have created augmented reality games and know how to make experiences that people enjoy spending time on.
And more importantly, I'm glad I found what I want to build a career around while I'm still young.

This is only the beginning!