The SinaCafe Renewal is Amazing!

This is an introductory article about SinaCafe, which collaborated on the Art Fun Fes 2023. From the perspective of Marukari, a SinaCafe member, I would like to share what kind of community it is, including the background of the project and the management team, Sekiyuo-san and Mariko-san.

The story of how this collaboration was decided

As the organizer of the Mother Base Project, I, Marukari, wanted to hold the Art Fun Fes and approached the two managers of SinaCafe, a place where creative talent gathers, with this project.

Usually, you would propose a project six months in advance, but I approached them only a month and a half before. (It was a long shot, assuming I would be turned down)

Marukari“I want to hold an art contest with the SinaCafe members. Is something like a banner contest possible? I know there isn't much time left, though... lol (explaining the background of the Mother Base Project)”

Sekiyuo: “I see! We are actually in the middle of a major renewal...”

(Ah, I knew it... it's impossible, right...)

Sekiyuo“We can do it once that's finished! Right, Mariko-san?”

(Wait, we can do it?!)

Mariko“Art Fun Fes sounds wonderful. You can set up your own events in the renewed SinaCafe. For event planning, something like a design collage might be interesting to make it easier for members to participate.”

(Wait, really? Is it okay?)

You can go ahead and set it up!

SinaCafe is a community where members are the stars

It's true! It says it's a community where every member is the star.

Actually, even in the old SinaCafe, there were member-hosted events and we could announce them on Slack, but the renewed SinaCafe is a bit different—you can actually set up hosted events.

So amazing. So amazing.

(How should I set up an event? I'm nervous, maybe I should ask someone...)

When I thought that, I found the UI was incredibly simple. There's no way to get lost. You can set up an event just like a blog. What is this? As expected of web production pros. The UI and design are designed from the participant's perspective, thinking about how to make the community fun, easy to use, and how to foster communication.

In fact, not only the management but also members are actively hosting events.

Communication among members is thriving

I believe this is the result of the management team's daily efforts, as they make sure to listen to every single piece of feedback from participants.

Some might think this is obvious, but in a community with nearly 160 members, maintaining diligent communication outside of one's main job is a difficult task. I imagine they are doing a lot of individual support behind the scenes as well...

There is an atmosphere where no one is ignored, and many comments welcoming newcomers come from members other than the management team.
Even without speaking, people use reactions like "Hi!" on platforms like ovice, and there are "Good work" reactions when leaving ovice.
This ability to build such a culture is a hallmark of SinaCafe.

However, I was actually full of anxiety.
(It's nerve-wracking to be the one launching an event... What if there are zero participants...)

Then, Mariko from the management team made a decisive suggestion...

Mariko"Marukari-san, let's create the contest entry together!"

(Oh... I have friends... *tears*)

When I went to the work event's ovice venue, I was moved to see so many members there.
Good friends from the gaming club, whom I usually spend time with in SinaCafe's club activities, also came. Divine ✨

▼ Here is an image of what it's like.

A feature of SinaCafe is that this ovice space acts as a virtual shared office, and it is well-received because you can feel the presence of others while working, which helps with productivity.

In fact, I sometimes see people working silently without talking to anyone.
For those people, we don't talk to them and leave them be.
It is like a classroom of classmates that also possesses this kind of kindness.

And Sekiyuou-san also entered the contest!

Solid support for content for creators as well

A characteristic of SinaCafe is that many members are involved in web production.
There are many designers, coders, SEs, and web directors.

My work is in media consulting, which is a bit of a special case, but I joined after hearing rumors that the SinaCafe community was amazing.
A community is a medium that connects people; I wanted to learn how they co-create value and how they grow the media.
That is why I joined.

I have actually been a member for about two years, and I feel that if you can join for the price of having tea at a cafe once or twice, it is worth it just to be a member...

However, the true greatness of SinaCafe is that it is also packed with content for those who want to improve their skills.
*All video archives are saved

There is also plenty of content for beginners and freelancers.
The sheer volume of accumulated content is also incredible.

Isn't it too cheap? I think anyone involved in Web production would be surprised just by watching all of this content alone.

How to join SinaCafe

For those of you who are already itching to join!
We are waiting for you at SinaCafe ♥

Monthly payments are,1,300 yen (tax included) per month for new members
・Credit cards (VISA, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, Discover)
・Debit cards (only cards that support subscriptions)
・Wallet app "Kyash"
are available for payment.

Please check the service provider's website for details.

Please be sure to check out past SinaCafe activities here

There is still more I would like to introduce, but please take a look for yourself 👀

The Art Fun Fes 2023 project is also currently underway!

The SamuraiGG community, which we collaborated with this time as well, is wonderful.
Please be sure to read the related articles too!