Like clockwork, the number of designers, engineers, and makers who launch their projects on crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo never ceases to amaze us. After all—doesn’t everybody love a great success story? For those curious to see if their side project ideas are worthy of a successful funding campaign, the best way to head into battle is to learn everything you can about why certain crowdfunding projects thrive—while many others, sadly do not. With over 98 lessons and 8 hours of content, this Ultimate Crowdfunding Bundle is a surefire way to ensure that you have your ducks in a row when it comes to launching your very own campaign.…

It’s time for another round of apps that cover the spectrum of your beloved mobile 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 and 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! Lens Distortions (iOS — Free) Lens Distortion gives you the highest quality ingredients to craft the look you want. Travelear: Listen…

We all know how magnets work – two metals with different poles attracting each other – but they still give an aura of wonder whenever they magically stick to one another, as if driven by something more than science. To that end, YouTube creator Magnetic Games made it his mission to deliver some of the most awesome-looking magnet builds and experiments this side of the Internet. Last year’s Christmas Build sees him taking 504 magnetic cubes and 174 magnetic balls to create a hypnotic star: By alternating between cubes and balls, he creates a single “point” of the star. He does this six more times since a one-pointed star is…

When it comes to precision assemblies and repairs, no two screwdrivers are alike. And while you may have an entire tool caddy loaded with precision screwdrivers for whatever job comes at you, you’re still not doing your wrist any favors. WIth a 100+ RPM motor with both forward and reverse controls, the first-of-its-kind General Tools 500 Cordless Power Precision Screwdriver is a must for effortless work sessions—be it assembling your latest prototype or simply swapping out batteries on your favorite device. The quick-change chuck allows for effortless swapping between 1/8-inch slotted, Phillips and Torx bits while an ergonomic handle design provides multiple grip positions to accommodate a variety of working…

If you miss the joy of throwing quarters down a cheap arcade machine or working on a gigantic LEGO creation, then this unique project might fill both of those gaping holes from your youthful glory days. LEGO creator Bre Burns’ love for arcade machines was so strong, she decided to make Benny’s Spaceship Adventure – a pinball machine made from over 15,000 LEGO bricks without any glue, screws, or fabrication (which makes it all the more impressive when you see it stand on its own)! The machine runs on three LEGO Mindstorms NXT bricks which connect via Bluetooth. These control the seven touch sensors, two color sensors, nine NXT servo…

We’ve said it time and time again, but the Raspberry Pi is just so dang cool and we believe all designers and engineers should have one in their toolkit—if not on their desktop. While there is a bit of a slight learning curve, it’s nothing that today’s designers and engineers can’t handle on a leisurely Saturday. So why not start now? The Raspberry Pi Mastery Bundle includes 8 courses to get started creating your very own Amazon Echo or even a ‘vintage’ streaming internet radio over a weekend. Throw in your own 3D printed housings, and the opportunities are limitless! For a limited time, The Raspberry Pi Mastery Bundle is…