A Year-End Reflection from the Creators of HERE, HERE
Dear Friends,
As 2024 comes to a close, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on the journey of the HERE, HERE newsletter. Over the past 28 episodes spanning nearly three years, it’s been our absolute pleasure to create engaging content that celebrates the quirky, wonderful world of geospatial technology and the amazing community that surrounds it.
Matt here! As Bad Elf’s Art Director, I wake up every day excited to craft visuals that not only educate but also bring a smile (and maybe the occasional laugh). Turning geospatial jargon into artful and approachable toons is my favorite kind of creative challenge. It’s where maps meet mirth.
Nik here! I’ve had a blast penning the cheesiest geospatial content out there. Whether it’s a pun about projections or a heartfelt note to our partners, customers, and friends, it’s a joy to connect with all of you through words and (let’s face it) some delightfully dad-level geography jokes.
Behind the Scenes of HERE, HERE
Every character you meet in HERE, HERE is intentionally crafted. Each toon, from the overly precise surveyor to the rogue rangefinder, is a reflection of the real-world tools, technologies, and personalities that make this industry so unique. Our goal? To make work fun and to boldly go where no geospatial newsletter has gone before.
Because let’s face it, the world is better when we can laugh about UTM zones and make light of coordinate conversions gone wrong. And yes, we’re still convinced the answer to “What’s your datum?” is always “It’s complicated.”
Final Thoughts…
As we wrap up the year, we want to thank you for following along, laughing with us, and sharing your passion for geospatial tech. Your support inspires us to keep pushing the boundaries (both spatially and creatively). We’re looking forward to the next three years of cheesy jokes, bold toons, and building connections across our incredible community.
Wishing you a holiday season filled with joy, laughter, and well-aligned layers,
Matt Ryan & Nik Smilovsky
Creators of Bad Elf’s HERE, HERE Newsletter
Dr. Smilovsky is the Geospatial Solutions Director for Bad Elf, a GNSS technologies company. Dr S is a faculty member at Arizona State University teaching various GIS and design classes. He is a certified Geographic Information Systems Professional, a certified Arborist, and a Part 107 certified UAV pilot. As a geospatial evangelist, custom geospatial solutions provider, and geographic researcher Dr. S is widely versed in all things geodetic. He is a proud Geoholic!