Introduction

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on contributing to open source projects as a designer! This site is designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make meaningful contributions to the world of open source software.

Our mission is to empower designers like you to:

• Improve the user experience of open source software
• Make open source projects more accessible to a wider audience
• Encourage collaboration between designers and developers
• Foster innovation in open source design
• Create opportunities for designers to grow their skills and expand their portfolios

What's Included

This guide consists of 12 chapters, each focusing on a crucial aspect of open source design:

1. Introduction to Open Source
2. Understanding the Designer's Role
3. Getting Started
4. Collaborative Workflows
5. Design Process
6. Tools and Resources
7. Contributing Design Assets
8. Improving User Experience
9. Building a Personal Brand
10. Advanced Topics
11. Case Studies
12. Final Project

Each chapter includes detailed explanations, practical tips, and real-world examples to help you understand and apply the concepts.

By completing all chapters, you'll gain:

1. Practical skills for contributing to open source projects
2. Understanding of open source culture and workflows
3. Experience with collaborative design processes
4. Knowledge of tools and resources specific to open source design
5. Insights from real-world case studies
6. A significant portfolio piece from your final project
7. The ability to make a real impact on software used by people worldwide

Whether you're a student, a professional designer looking to expand your skills, or simply interested in giving back to the open source community, this guide will provide valuable knowledge and experience.

How to Use This Guide

Here are some tips to get the most out of this course:

1. Sequential Learning: The chapters are designed to build on each other, so it's best to go through them in order.
2. Hands-On Practice: Don't just read – practice! Try out the tools and techniques discussed in each chapter.
3. Join a Community: Look for open source design communities or study groups to share your journey with others.
4. Take Your Time: Feel free to spend more time on chapters that are particularly relevant or challenging for you.
5. Do the Exercises: Each chapter includes practical exercises. Completing these will reinforce your learning.
6. Final Project: The final chapter guides you through a substantial project. This is your chance to apply everything you've learned, so give it your best effort!
7. Continuous Learning: Open source is always evolving. Use this guide as a foundation, but keep learning and staying updated on new trends and practices.

Ready to begin your journey into open source design? Here's how to get started:

1. Read through this introduction to get an overview of what's ahead.
2. Set aside regular time for studying and practicing.
3. Prepare your design tools – both digital and traditional.
4. Join online communities related to open source design.
5. Start with Chapter 1 and work your way through the guide.

Remember, the open source community values initiative and enthusiasm. Don't be afraid to jump in and start contributing, even as you're learning. Your fresh perspective as a newcomer can be incredibly valuable to projects.

We're excited for you to begin this journey into open source design. Your contributions have the potential to improve software used by millions of people around the world. Let's get started!

For educators

We're thrilled that you're considering using this curriculum in your educational program! Whether you're running a bootcamp, an online workshop, or integrating this into a broader course, we've designed this curriculum to be flexible and adaptable to various learning environments.

How to Use This Curriculum

1. Modular Structure: Each chapter is designed as a standalone module, allowing you to mix and match based on your program's needs and time constraints.
2. Hands-on Projects: We've included practical exercises and a final project. These can be expanded into larger assignments or group projects for your students.
3. Discussion Prompts: Each chapter includes topics that can spark meaningful discussions. Use these to encourage critical thinking and debate among your students.
4. Real-world Examples: The case studies provided can be used as starting points for more in-depth analysis or as inspiration for student projects.
5. Customization: Feel free to supplement our material with your own examples, exercises, or additional resources that are relevant to your specific audience.

Tips for Different Settings

• Bootcamps: Focus on the practical aspects and hands-on exercises. Consider having students contribute to a real open source project as their final assignment.
• Online Workshops: Break the content into digestible segments. Use the exercises as homework between sessions and dedicate live time to discussions and Q&A.
• University Courses: Expand on the theoretical aspects, perhaps inviting guest speakers from open source projects. Encourage students to critically analyze existing open source designs.
• Self-paced Online Course: Provide clear milestones and create a community platform where learners can discuss topics and share their work.

Additional Resources

We're committed to supporting educators in delivering this content effectively. Here are some additional resources:

• Slide decks for each chapter (TODO)
• Additional exercises and project ideas (TODO)
• A forum for educators to share experiences and best practices (TODO)

We welcome your feedback and suggestions on how to improve this curriculum for educational use. Please share your experiences and ideas through our GitHub repository or educator's forum.