When it comes to side projects, hours become days, days become weeks, and weeks can often become months or years. But what if getting a minimum viable product created could happen on a Saturday…assuming you aren’t building a flying car? Many successful entrepreneurs have been touting the benefits of the 1-Day MVP—a one-day, all-out sprint to go from fresh idea to app or hardware prototype. Sure, some projects may take a little more energy and time than others, but having the process and infrastructure in place to successfully glide ideas along is what counts the most. Which is exactly the premise behind the 1-Day MVP 2.0 online training course; one…

Founded in 1927 in Centralia, Washington by the Geier Brothers, the Geier Glove Company has been churning out some of the world’s finest work gloves for heavy wear and tear. Made from Elkskin, which is more rugged than deerskin, these gloves can stand up to just about anything you can throw at them—from nasty wood splinters to cold steel bars. Heck—they even make great winter gloves whether you use them in the shop at all. Made in the USA, you can’t go wrong with this Western staple in your workshop. Geier Glove Elkskin Gloves — $58.99 Features: Men’s elkskin gloves in a slip-on styleRugged and tough for work or ridingMade…

Frequently when you hear about a revolutionary new product idea, it’s usually something great with the potential to benefit all of humanity. Television, penicillin, the iPod; the introduction of these inventions into our world helped make it the better place that is today. But what about all of the failed inventions – the ones that should have never seen the light of day? Well, we certainly never hear about those. Dr. Samuel West, a psychologist with a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology, wondered the same thing. After hearing innovation after innovation on the news, he got sick of all the success stories and searched high and low to collect all the…

It’s time for another round of apps that cover the spectrum of your beloved smart device(s)! The Weekly App Smack is the best of new or updated design and productivity apps (and maybe a couple of fun ones, too) for the busy design or engineering professional. This week we have a list sure to make you more efficient. Do you have an app suggestion that has made your life easier or changed up your workflow? Let us know in the comments below or send it into tips@solidsmack.com. Hit it! Spectre Camera (iOS — $2.99) Spectre uses AI to help you make amazing long exposure photographs. Spectre can remove crowds, turn city…

Few shop tools—yes, we’ll call it a “tool”—are as indispensable as a reliable work apron. While not a “tool” in the traditional sense, a good, durable apron can serve many purposes ranging from tool organization to even psychologically making yourself ‘present’ in the workshop. But no two aprons are alike—and striking the balance between functional and economical isn’t always easy. Which is why we like the Cross Back Adjustable Apron from Hudson Durable Goods. Made from thick and durable waxed canvas, this stylish work apron features design details that are as carefully considered as the long-lasting materials they’re constructed from. Additionally, the cross-back (X-back) straps ensure that weight from tools…

In today’s sea of design, only a select few are truly capable of standing out as thought leaders and changing how we perceive the modern world around us. To further explore how today’s leading designers perceive design, New York City-based design firm Doberman interviewed 20 designers from leading companies around the world to share what they think is next for the world of design. Called Frontiers of Design, this compelling short film compiles different outlooks from thought leaders and leads viewers in painting a picture of what’s to come. Among others featured in the doc is Tad Toulis—a familiar face in the industrial design industry who currently oversees industrial design…