In possibly his oddest/coolest video yet, designer Eric Strebel breaks down the making of a one-of-a-kind toilet paper holder. But unlike the version you have at home, which has no technology whatsoever, this rectum-cleaning receptacle holds a couple of smartly-designed magnet discs to make pulling the right amount of toilet paper squares a one-handed process. Making-of: Smart Magnet Toilet Paper Holder As with all his projects, Strebel starts the design process by sketching out plans for the toilet paper holder. Basing his concept on magnetic detents within a knob which can be adjusted for different toilet paper plys and lengths. After his initial design sketching, he goes on to create…

If you’ve yet to get your CAD jabbers on SelfCAD, you can spin it up and start modeling in less time than it takes to juice a pack navel oranges with your elbows at your co-worker’s desk–Tis a fact. SelfCAD is the web-based modeling/sculpting/3D printing tool that works in all modern browsers and on Windows, Linux, or Mac. Last time I looked at it, they were just getting started. Now, they’re on SelfCAD 2.0 with more sculpting brushes, modeling tools, and all-new selection modes. They’ve also started releasing content daily to help you better understand SelfCAD, the tools, and the crazy-simple user interface. Over Christmas, they released a series of…

Despite the unpredictable nature of CEO and founder Elon Musk, Tesla cars are still taking the industry by storm. With their all-electric motors, many argue the vehicles are better in every way compared to just about any gas-guzzler…provided you don’t have to travel more than 300 miles at a time between charges. The company’s latest model, the Tesla Model 3, aims to improve on existing Tesla designs with an all-wheel drive, dual motors, autopilot features, and the ability to use your smartphone as a personal car key. It’s lightweight, goes from 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds, has a top speed of 155 mph (not bad for an electric motor), and…

For those who spend their days slicin’ and dicin’ material—be it for rough prototyping or simply just opening up all those Amazon purchases—having the right utility blade is an absolute must. While we love the simple and old-fashioned X-Acto blade, we’ve found them to be better for precision cutting versus all-around, at-the-ready utility. This grippy heavy-duty cutter makes use of OLFA’s unique snap-off blade system, so you’re never without a sharp blade at the ready. And with an anti-slip rubber grip design featuring a ratchet-wheel blade lock for safety, you won’t have to worry about slipping or unexpected pocket surprises. OLFA 18mm Rubber Inset Heavy-Duty Utility Knife — $10.98 Features:…

Get that stretch out of your system with this week’s Spotify-powered SolidSmack Radio Playlist. It’s fashioned up, ready to make you pull your shoulder blades back and knock out another week of meaningful work while you bob your head to the beat. Whether you’re in the shop milling aluminum, sketching the latest product prototypes or modeling up a 3D storm, consider these tracks as a tool for your process. This week on SolidSmack Radio we’ll get the groove going with “Proportion” the brilliant French outfit Air before diving into killer new tracks from the Dandy Warhols, Moby, Maus Haus, Neon Indian, and others before wrapping up with “Baby Come Down”…

EWhile it’s important to make your design projects look good, this goes double for the tools you use to peddle your craft. How else are clients going to know you make well-made products if the sketchbook you’re using has a Hello Kitty cover on it? Taking a break from working on commissioned projects, Eric Strebel shows his audience how to make custom sketchbook covers by pouring acrylic paint over some matte boards: Taking two 7-inch by 10-inch, 2.3mm thick matte boards, he wraps the outside covers in bond paper using white glue and some spray mount. Once the adhesive has settled in, he sets in the inside covers to cover…