Member Spotlight: James Dozier
Recently, we posted an interview with CO:Member, James Dozier, in the Jackson Sun. But there was a lot more to the interview that didn't get published. Here's the discussion in full!
How did you get into coding and programming?
I love programming, coding and video games in general. I’ve had a love for it since high school. I started just tinkering around with my TI-83 calculator one day and took it apart. After that, it just took off from there.
Any projects you’re working on right now?
Yeah, I publish role play miniatures on a website called Thingaverse.com. They’re called “flat minis” and they only take about an hour or so to make. I actually use the 3D printer at theCO to make them, although I also own one at my home that I use as well. In the future, I’d like to host a video game programming workshop at theCO. I know there are many people interested in programming that just need to know how and where to get started.
As a programmer, I’m sure there has been times you’ve felt like leaving Jackson to pursue other opportunities. What has kept you here?
Jackson is a smaller city with a large town feel. There’s always lots of things to do. If you do what you love, no matter where you are, it never feels boring or feels like work. Programming is what I I love to do, no matter where I am. Jackson also has great restaurants and theCO is here, of course.
In your opinion, what draws people to theCO?
I love the fact that I can come here and people actually understand what I’m talking about. There are a lot of like-minded people here who love to create and are really innovative. That’s great energy to be around. I really enjoy sharing what I’m working on and general enthusiasm during CO:de meetups. It’s nice being around people with a shared passion in programming. One of my favorite memories in particular was once when I was learning how to use the laser cutter/etcher. I was working with a piece of acrylic, and there was a horrible smudge on it from trying to raster a picture onto it. There were a couple of other guys there, and they not only showed me how to clear it up, but also ex-plained why it happened and what I could do to prevent it. Later, when they were trying to cut their own acrylic, they really needed a tool they had seen me use earlier, and I let them borrow it. The sharing of tools and knowledge is one of my favorite things to come out of theCO so far.
Is there a place we can go to check out all your amazing creations?
Yes! You can actually see all of my creations and designs on flatminis.com
Samantha Curry is an intern, writer, designer, and author of this piece.