Live co-creating sessions on Zoom
In 2023 we've been trialing live sessions to enable you to connect in real-time to other members.
In Phase 1 of the trial, Anna ran a pilot series of live co-creating sessions.
If you didn't make it to any, here's a little peek at what they were like:
Because these sessions were popular, we set to work on preparations to move to Phase 2 of the trial, which is now active.
What's happening in Phase 2?
We've set up an Events Calendar which you can find in the Community Hub. It enables you to connect with other members in real time, either online via Zoom or face-to-face.
You can browse the calendar to find and join events other members have arranged, and you can arrange your own events too.
You can even drop into the Zoom Room anytime to see if any other members are up for a co-creating session right now.
Phase 2 will run until the end of 2023, when we'll briefly pause to review how it's going and whether any further developments are needed. Providing this feature proves popular, it'll then become a permanent feature in the website.
Live co-creating sessions FAQ:
You can drop into the Zoom Room anytime to co-create with other members. There are no rules about how to use the Zoom Room, but it's nice for others if you can have your camera on even if you choose to mute yourself. If you're watching a tutorial or have lots of other background noise, other members would appreciate it if you'd mute your microphone.
Members organising their own live co-creating sessions may choose to run them differently to the below, but here's how Anna's live co-creating sessions run:
Q: What's a live co-creating session?
A: The idea is that we join each other over a Zoom meeting where we all have our cameras on, but not our microphones.
Whoever is hosting speaks briefly to welcome the group and encourage you to wave to each other and show us what you're working on. 👋
We have our microphones off, but there's the option to use the chat/text messaging function in Zoom.
When the hour is almost up, the host finishes the session by inviting you to hold up your artwork to show each other the progress you've made. The Zoom session then ends, but of course that doesn't mean you need to stop creating at that time.
Q: Can the group members see each other?
A: Yes, we encourage members to keep their camera on for the session, as seeing each other working will be part of what makes the session feel fun and create a greater sense of connection with one another.
If during a call you're not able to see the other participants, you'll need to adjust a setting in your Zoom. Here's how to do that.
Q: Can participants hear and talk to each other?
A: This will be at the discretion of the session organiser. If the group is big. it may not be practical for everybody to be able to communicate out loud.
Q: So is it silent for most of the session?
Yes, apart from the beginning and end, and a very short reminder that the session if halfway through, there will be no audio.
This leaves you free to listen to tutorials, music or radio, chat on the phone or hum to yourself whilst you work. Nobody will know! (We might see if you start playing air guitar though!)
Q: Will there ever be live instruction during Anna's live sessions?
A: No, these sessions won't have live instruction. They're a chance to work on your own thing (that might be a tutorial, a piece of indy artwork or perhaps some sketchbook experimentation) in the company of other members who'll be working on their own thing at the same time as you.
Owing to facts that we have members in all time zones AND that everyone works at their own pace, it wouldn't be practical for Anna to offer live instruction. But you can follow the video tutorials at the same time as being on a live session.
Q: Can I watch tutorial videos during the live co-creating sessions?
A: Yes. We all have our microphones off during the sessions, apart from at the beginning and end when the host speaks. So you can play the tutorial videos at the same time as joining the group.
Q: Will I be able to ask questions and get feedback on my work?
A: Not at these sessions. The purpose of them is to co-create in the company of other community members. 🖌️ You might find that other members set up sessions with this purpose, but we recommend also requesting feedback through the website in the usual way.
Q: Do I need any special software to be able to join?
A: You'll have the best experience if you download Zoom, a free software app. You can download it free here.
You can also access the session by using Zoom in your web browser. To do that, you'll need to follow these steps.
Q: Who can join the sessions?
A: Our live co-creating sessions are for our community members only.