Thoughts before MoTaCon: make it joyful
10 Aug 2026
In this moment:
Clare Norman
Thought I'd try an experiment. Let's look at the talk and workshop descriptions of MoTaCon 2026 and share my thoughts and reflections before the talk/workshop has happened. And then, hopefully, share my thoughts after MoTaCon — for those I'm able to attend live or watch back via the recording.
First up, Clare Norman's Make it joyful: How to build products that make people smile.
I'm instantly drawn to this cos, well, it's Clare Norman and she is a wonderful human. She always has interesting things to share and stories to tell.
And secondly, because we probably don't talk enough about building joy into products and services. It's something we've been trying to do as we build and evolve the MoTaverse platform. Keep it light and every-so-often entertaining, cos why choose the opposite?
Yes, a community of practice like ours is serious business and we're serious when it matters yet life can be serious enough. Sticking Bug (just the funnest mascot we have) in various places brings joy everyday. I can't get enough of seeing its face and various poses. Bug is everywhere cos bugs are everywhere. Geddit? 🫠
Also, there's joy in our ongoing play on numbers: 99, 200, 404 and more. All important numbers for, you know, reasons. Other examples of joy come from recent changes to the profile page. We've intentionally designed and implemented parts which we hope members will think "Ah, that's a nice touch." Plus one of my favourite joy moments is the confetti when some presses that "Thank" button. 🎉
Building joy into products that make people smile seems connected to the Ahh Test.
First up, Clare Norman's Make it joyful: How to build products that make people smile.
I'm instantly drawn to this cos, well, it's Clare Norman and she is a wonderful human. She always has interesting things to share and stories to tell.
And secondly, because we probably don't talk enough about building joy into products and services. It's something we've been trying to do as we build and evolve the MoTaverse platform. Keep it light and every-so-often entertaining, cos why choose the opposite?
Yes, a community of practice like ours is serious business and we're serious when it matters yet life can be serious enough. Sticking Bug (just the funnest mascot we have) in various places brings joy everyday. I can't get enough of seeing its face and various poses. Bug is everywhere cos bugs are everywhere. Geddit? 🫠
Also, there's joy in our ongoing play on numbers: 99, 200, 404 and more. All important numbers for, you know, reasons. Other examples of joy come from recent changes to the profile page. We've intentionally designed and implemented parts which we hope members will think "Ah, that's a nice touch." Plus one of my favourite joy moments is the confetti when some presses that "Thank" button. 🎉
Building joy into products that make people smile seems connected to the Ahh Test.
The Ahh Test is a model to help us make better decisions. It is a binary feel good signal for decision making that helps everyone stay focused on the goals that matter. When we make better decisions, it leads to better products. The Ahh Test enables higher quality products because it questions what matters in what we are building. It passes if it makes people go "ahh, that feels good" or "ahh, this decision feels aligned with where we are going'. On the understanding that the 'feels good' that it helps us achieve our goal. It helps us to understand whether we’re on the right track and whether the implementation will make our lives better.
For Clare's talk I don't really know much about the science of joy. I know how to experience joy and in some cases, build it yet I'm curious what I can learn from grabbing some joy science. I'm very much looking forward to her talk.
Simon Tomes
Community Lead at MoTaverse
he/him
Hello, I'm Simon. Since 2003 I've had various roles in testing, tech leadership and coaching. I believe in the power of collaboration, creativity and community. 🎓 MoT-STEC qualified. I get real joy working with and supporting our wonderful MoTaverse community.
“Thanks for making me feel so confident about myself.” | “I'm so grateful for all you do in the MoTaverse community, I learn so much as a result!” | “A simple chat with Simon in person absolutely changed everything.” | “Simon is one of the best people that I've ever met to have conversations with. He's so grounded in his way of thinking and articulates his thoughts so well and his feelings and his knowledge about community and everything.”
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