Landed in Mexico City on a sunny Sunday and checked into the cozy Casa Decu, nestled in leafy Condesa. Automattic’s team Studio 51 was gathering faces from across the globe, all buzzing with WordPress energy.
Kickoff and Ice-Breaker
Day one started with Flash talks to break the ice! As we should, somehow, talk about ourselves, I shared the backstory behind my name and how it shifts across cultures. The slides were playful, graphic-heavy, and can become a theme design someday.
Building Sprints & Theme Design
After some speed-building madness to warm up our skills, we dove into our meetup design homework. We were asked to design a theme inspired by our daily experiences, following some verticals that our users usually request.
My task was to design a small business site for an iconic figure I’d spot in the city. Instead of choosing the logical artist/public figure subject, I chose Maize as my star because it’s ubiquitous in Mexico.
Culture Dive: Pyramids to Posadas
Midweek, we ventured out to Teotihuacan. Saturday brought the Museo Nacional de Antropología, capping a journey through centuries. We also walked to Frida Kahlo’s blue house and marveled at the Palacio de Bellas Artes. The evenings of food experience also improved the work week. Good work, organizers, thanks a lot.
Seven days, countless conversations, and a deeper bond with my Automattic crew.
