Helen Goss
Social Media Strategist, Web Developer, Creative Educationalist, Trainer & Interactive Artist
This page is curated so you can see the highlights of my career so far. You will experience how I see those different chapters fitting into my whole vision, so they aren’t necessarily in chronological order.
The SMMAP [Social Media Map] 2025/26
photo: Port of Call Media
Introducing the SMMAP to POSE
(Portsmouth Open Studios Event 2025)
This project is bigger than the beta version released in oct 25. It is built out of 30+ yrs experience, it reimagines how we experience, connect & become a part of our cultural & community information. The modular system is being released in the latter half of 2026
The SMMAP [Social Media Map]
Create an event specific map, with popups that link to your SMMAP ID & back to any other maps you are associated with.
smmap.net/pose2025/
The SMMAP is a tool that answers the many needs I have identified through consultations, participation groups & 1to1 conversations with people and organisations, looking at how we use information technology.
The POSE 25 event map was the first SMMAP event map created. It was built to compliment the booklet & connect visitors & artists with each other, whist providing a navigating tool to use when on the trail. Each contributor now has a SMMAP ID & will be ready to go onto any other maps the SMMAP opens for submissions.
Interactive Arts Degree [University of Wales] 1992/94
Final Major Degree Piece 1994
This is the work created from my Interactive Arts BA hons (University of Wales).
I was sponsored by Wacom & with the help from our technician Raj, built this User Interface which uses symbols depicting the evolution of early language.
The speed & intention with which you applied pressure to each symbol, resulted in the speed the symbol morphed into another.
When you choose the images you want a gateway is opened & a newly designed image is accessed.
This was where it all started for me. I had been studying communications & Interactive Art since 1990. The Internet/www was emerging into the edges of peoples worlds, my passion was ignited & my fascination has never wained ever since.
These are some of the images that become visible when going through the gateways. They are derivatives of ancient symbols of earth’s elements & microscopic through sections of cells of plants, fish etc
Full Stack Web Development Bootcamp [Step8Up] 2026
In Jan 2026 I completed a 3 month Full Stack Web Development course, that taught me how to build front end, back end and apps. It was an intensive course that has upskilled me so entirely that I am able to do the things I was looking to employ a computer programmer to do.
This course has enabled me to build the full SMMAP app I’ve been designing for over 15 years. I’m building it with the help of AI & my new found knowledge of programming. I will be able to launch the full version in 2026.
The Play Office [Portsmouth Historic Dockyard] 2025
The PlayOffice is situated in Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard & provides free access to artists & creatives who want to experiment with XR & immersive technology. In 2025 they ran a number of workshops, these are the ones I attended:
Overview of XR
AR and 3D Modelling Artist Workshop
3D Modelling in VR for XR Experiences
Motion Data / Capture Rigging and Photogrammetry
Interactive Projection Mapping
Model to Matter – 3D Printing
Professional Practice – Branding, Funding, Messaging
Sound & Storytelling
https://www.play-office.com
The Playoffice & Thomas Buckley, who is the founder of the space & the wonderful delights it offers, have provided an incredible re-introduction to the tech I have been watching emerge, looking at how it can be used in the mainstream & in line with the communications I care so much about.
This space gave me a place to re-emerge after a period of caring for my father. It is full of other artists, keen to experiment & share their knowledge. This is a place where I will rediscover my Interactive Artist, after 30 years of R&D.
CCIXR [University of Portsmouth] 2022
When the University opened its CCIXR studios, they held a number of taster days. This is a snapshot of what we achieved in that time
As an Alumni, I returned to this space, enthusiastic & full of joy. I met so many people & learned so many new things. It gave me an overview of what I wanted to pursue, right in the middle of caring for my father.
AAG [The Alternative Archiving Group] 2026
I am part of a group of artists archiving the assets of Downtown Pompey. They will be presented in a site designed for engagement, alternative styling & experience. Launch Sept 2026
This group is an opportunity to work with other artists & challenge the norms for archiving our heritage & cultural work. It is wonderful to work in a team again.
1st INTERNET AT GLASTONBURY [the Way Collective] 1995
After my graduation, forming this collective gave many of us a place to carry on our work when the rest of the world were playing catch up. I will be forever grateful to the people I met & for the opportunities it gave us all .
In 1994 I cofounded the Way Collective with Paul Sergeant & Saj Mohammed.
In 1995 we collaborated with Technotribe (The Centre For Alternative Technology’s outreach collective) Friendly Fire & Rainbownet to take the Internet into Glastonbury for the first time.
We were given glastonbury.org by Netnames & demonstrated how to upload information to the site from the middle of the Green Futures field. It was a Technomadic demonstration [Word coined by Steve Roberts] using low density dwellings [Buckminster Fuller’s Geodesic Dome], wind & solar power [Friendly Fire] & mobile phones [Sponsored by WebMedia]
We took photos & uploaded them to the site, live from in the festival.
This article was written by Sean Clark in Internet & Comms Today Oct 1995
This is a paste up of some of the photos from the event. You can see the domes, the Way Collectives’ bus and Friendly Fire’s wind turbine in the top photo collage & the bottom photo collage is from inside the dome, where you can see the members of the Collective using the laptop, phone & digital camera to upload the data to the site.
If you want to contact me please send me an email or contact me through my LinkedIn profile.