F_side

If you want to honor people in a community, you need something that makes their effort real. A physical object becomes a mechanism of culture. A shared focal point. Something people recognize and talk about.

To me, this award represents a piece of the spirit of Fireside. The part we gather around. The light within is a small piece of our fire, meant to live with the person who carries it as they continue building the future.

I asked to design it as I’ve trusted him to help shape Fireside since day one. I imagined something functional, and something you’d actually want to display. Not a trophy, but an object. Grounded, futuristic, and intentional.

Ivan mocked up early forms using AI, then built and refined the final design in his studio. The glow inside became the essence. The outer form feels stone like, architectural. Familiar, but forward looking. Every piece was sculpted, printed, and assembled by Ivan’s own hand.

When I held it for the first time, I was blown away. Not just because I wanted one, but because as I looked into the light I could almost see the spirt myself. I knew it belonged to the people who keep the fire going.

The spirit of Fireside should be shared with those who carry the flame.

More to come in ‘26. —

Tonight we close out, fireside by looking back on the year and celebrating the people who helped shape this community.

Fireside only works when people contribute when they share their tools learn their energy and help carry the flame that keeps this space alive.

captured every session and built the archive that powers are Patreon
showed up consistently, supported the work and modeled the kind of curiosity and engagement that holds a community together.
contributed motion, visuals and gave a talk that elevated firesides creative identity, and helped connect our work to a wider audience.

These contributions move a community forward
As we head into 2026 far side grows through the people who step in share and lift a culture with them.

We want to send a special thank you to all of our Patreon supporters without your support this year Fireside would be a dim light.

Final [Meetup] - Fireside closes out with one final gathering

December 11th, 6pm to 9pm

A moment to reflect on an incredible year of sharing work, ideas, and inspiration. Last chance to connect before we look towards what comes next. Check our profile for the RSVP

I’ll have a short presentation open conversation and plenty of time to hang out with the people who made this communicate what it is.

Fireside is a creative tech community in Portland focused on sharing work ideas and inspiration to meet up presentations and collaborative gatherings.

Check the links on our profile to get connected to the community and check out our Patreon.

Design by
🎶 Land by

Looking back at the last three years one thing has stayed constant. Fireside works because people show up, learn together and build with one another.

Fireside has become a place where ideas turn into collaborations, where one person’s demo becomes another’s inspiration, and where new teams form because they happened to meet in the same small room.

Fireside was built for this. A place where ideas come alive together. That’s the real story of the last three years.

As we head into our final [Meetup] of the year, we’re celebrating the connections that shaped everything we’ve become.

Announcement coming soon, see you in December.

If Fireside has a measure of success, it’s in those connections.

Three years of speakers, storytellers, artists, technologists, and friends who shared their worlds with us.

Three years proving that when creative work is shared openly, it strengthens our entire community.

Every talk, demo, and conversation that followed, has helped shape what Fireside is becoming.

Join us for our final [Meetup] of the year to gather once more and celebrate what we’ve built together.

Fireside [Meetup 010]
Thursday, August 21st | 6–9PM
📍 Portland, OR
🎟 RSVP in bio

This month, we’re joined by writer-director and animator the creator of NOIR and CAGE, two breathtaking works exploring ritual, memory, and visual storytelling at its most surreal.

Nikita’s work has been featured by Netflix, Nintendo, Riot Games, and Disney.

Expect a stunning presentation and a room full of curious, talented, and generous people from across our city.

Motion graphic by
Fireside is Directed by

🎫 Tickets: sliding scale $15 → $10
Or support us on Patreon to attend for $5/month: patreon.com/FiresideCreativeTechnology

See you at the Fireside 🔥

Fireside [Meetup]: Designing Tomorrow
Thursday, April 24th | 6–9 PM | at
RSVP | link in bio – space is limited!

This month, we’re stepping into the near future of creative technology with two speakers who are not only using the tools of tomorrow, but helping define them.

Peter Vickery |
A visual storyteller and immersive design veteran, Peter will walk us through how tools like ControlNet and ComfyUI are shaping new creative workflows. With nearly two decades of experience across film, AR, and branded experiences, Peter brings technical fluency and sharp creative strategy—perfect for those looking to deepen their understanding of visual AI tools in real-world production.

Andrea Nieto |
A creative technologist and futurist, Andrea will zoom out and explore the coming AI era. From her roots in fashion and innovation leadership at Adidas and Lululemon, to her current work designing AI agents and speculative futures. Her talk will speak to the mindset, strategy, and storytelling we need to navigate this rapidly evolving space.

This will be a rich night for designers, artists, technologists, and anyone curious about how we shape what’s next.
Poster by Jackson Callaway

Free to attend—but RSVP is required.

How do simple rules create complex beauty?
This month’s Fireside [Meetup] dives into emergent patterns, generative design, and interactive experiences.

✨ Jackson Callaway – GPU shaders & real-time flocking behaviors in TouchDesigner.
✨ Bryant Place – A creative technologist behind 40+ interactive installations worldwide.

Come see how technology mirrors nature and learn how these creative tools shape immersive worlds & dynamic motion.

📍 Goodies Snack Shop, Portland
💡 Tag a friend & RSVP now!

Softwear for those who build, create, and dare to define what’s next. ⭐️

Not just made for the moment.
Made for what’s next
Wear it. Build it. Be it.

Every Movement Begins with a Spark.

Fireside started with a simple idea // What could we create if we worked together?

From those first conversations to this very collection, it’s always been about empowering creative technologists to build something bigger.

Fireside Softwear reflects that, and made for what’s next. \\ Wear it. Build it. Be it.

What does Fireside mean to you? Let us know below.

Models: