How I Began My NFT Venture

On August 30, 2021, my friend KJ invited me to collaborate on a new NFT project. Just a month later, on October 2, we held our first blind auction, which turned out to be a great success. Our community embraced the Pixel Head NFTs, and the payment and minting processes were seamless.

At that time, Cardano NFT projects were rare, especially those utilizing decentralized application (dApp) wallets. We were pioneers in allowing users to make payments effortlessly with just a click. This innovative approach was refreshing and unlike anything the community had previously experienced.

Initially, I had no experience with blockchain development, so how did I acquire the necessary skills to create a complete system encompassing auction, payment, and NFT minting? In this article, I’ll share four essential tips to expedite your learning curve, which can also be applied to mastering any new skill.

1. Learn by Building: Create Reusable Packages

Our NFT initiative was built on the Cardano network, and I began by following a tutorial on Minting Native Assets. This guided me through the setup process and basic blockchain queries via the command line.

To make the most of my learning, I focused on developing reusable packages and functions. For instance, to retrieve a list of assets from a wallet, I could execute the command below in the Terminal:

cardano-cli query utxo --address $address --mainnet

However, I opted to write a function in Node.js for the same purpose:

const execSync = typeof window !== "undefined" || require("child_process").execSync;

function getAssets(address, network) {

const execString = cardano-cli query utxo --${network} --address ${address};

const utxosRaw = execSync(execString).toString();

// format and return the list of assets

}

By creating these functions, I simplified the asset retrieval process and enhanced integration within my project. Additionally, this approach allowed me to understand the functionality of each command, the required inputs, and how to utilize the outputs effectively.

This method of developing integrative functions fosters an environment conducive to learning new technologies and helps you iterate on your project progressively. While I focused on writing a reusable JavaScript function, you can adopt a similar approach in any new area, such as machine learning.

2. Tap into Community Knowledge: Engage and Ask

Unlike the fields of machine learning and software development, where plentiful online courses exist, diving into Cardano development posed challenges due to the ongoing evolution of the technology. Many resources found online were often outdated, and searching for help sometimes yielded no results.

To overcome this, I sought out communities of fellow developers. For Cardano, the IOG’s Technical Community server on Discord became my go-to place. Like most online platforms, it has guidelines for engagement, and it’s essential to be polite and articulate your questions clearly.

For example, while I was working on the Cardano Serialization Library, I found the GitHub issues page to be a valuable place for inquiries. Remember, do not expect others to solve your problems outright. Instead, clearly present your questions, describe your efforts, and outline the issues you face. This clarity often leads to constructive guidance from experienced community members.

These interactions not only helped me troubleshoot but also provided a wealth of knowledge as I received advice and explanations while tackling challenges hands-on.

3. Stay Curious: Collaborate with Non-Technical Individuals

In today’s world, technology is integral to business operations, necessitating collaboration between developers and non-technical personnel. My project partners, KJ and Dev, were not software engineers but had a solid grasp of the NFT market. Their insights were invaluable in helping me understand project requirements.

Understanding user needs refines your learning focus. Rather than attempting to learn everything at once, knowing the specific requirements allows you to tailor your learning path. Once you grasp the expected outcomes, you can identify gaps in your knowledge and strategize on how to bridge them.

In a small team, recognizing each member’s strengths and contributions is crucial. A skilled engineer appreciates the value a great non-engineer brings to the table, similar to how a basketball player respects a talented musician.

4. Contribute Your Skills: Collaborate and Learn

Currently, I am collaborating with Martify Labs, a provider of Cardano smart contract APIs for marketplaces and the metaverse, alongside Abdelkrim and Alain, both graduates of the Plutus Pioneer Program. I feel privileged to work with them and learn about smart contracts through real-world projects.

How did I become part of this team? By expressing genuine interest in their work and showcasing how I could contribute, I was able to join them. Our collaborative efforts exposed me to smart contract development, allowing me to acquire new skills.

Engaging with others not only facilitates knowledge-sharing but also enhances your learning experience. As Dale Carnegie famously stated, “You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”