Building dotmap

Over the past months, I’ve been exploring a question that kept coming back in my own work:

Why is discovering tech professionals still so fragmented — even though talent is everywhere?

This series documents the journey behind dotmap:
not as a product launch, but as a way to think out loud about visibility, discovery and how professionals show up in today’s tech ecosystem.

It’s written in public, step by step — from the first idea to early design decisions, challenges, feedback and what’s next.

What this series is about

This is not a technical deep dive.
It’s about concepts, choices and experience.

Topics include:

• why discovery often feels harder than it should be
• how location changes the way we see professional networks
• why multi-stack careers don’t fit traditional labels
• how design and UI influence visibility
• what it means to build something calmly in public

If you work in tech — as a freelancer, consultant, developer, designer or founder — parts of this will probably feel familiar.

The Episodes

Episode 0 — Discovery vs Visibility
How the idea started by reframing discovery as a visibility problem.
→ Published

Episode 1 — Why I Started Building dotmap
The problem, the inspiration and the personal motivation behind the project.
→ Published

Episode 2 — Designing the Concept
Why dotmap became map-first, minimal and intentionally quiet.
→ Published

Episode 3 — A Map-First Way to Explore Tech
How a visual landscape changes the way professionals are discovered.
→ Published

Episode 4 — Building the MVP
The messy, clarifying phase where the idea became real.
→ Published

Episode 5 — Why Multi-Stack Matters
Why modern careers don’t fit single ecosystems — and how discovery tools should adapt.
→ Published

Episode 6 — Branding, UI & the Badge System
How calm design and clear roles shape perception and visibility.
→ Published

Episode 7 — The Challenges of Discovery Platforms
Network effects, chicken-and-egg problems and avoiding engagement traps.
→ Published

Episode 8 — Early Community Impressions
What early feedback revealed — and what it changed.

Episode 9 — The Road Ahead
Where dotmap is heading next, without losing its simplicity.

Episode 10 — Launch Recap & What’s Next
Reflections, lessons and the beginning of the next phase.

How to follow along

New episodes are published regularly and shared on LinkedIn and X.
The series evolves alongside the product — openly and intentionally.

If you’re interested in how discovery, visibility and professional presence can be rethought, you’re very welcome to follow along.

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