As if it even needs to be said to the many thousands of designers and engineers that read SolidSmack every day, the best way to learn just about new skill is through project-based learning—AKA gettin’ your hands dirty. And while we all clamor for a just a few extra minutes in the day to pursue that side hobby or learn a new skill, it can be challenging to do so without some structural foundation in place. Which is one reason why we love the Raspberry Pi Beginner’s Bootcamp. Designed to be a comprehensive and structured introduction to the Raspberry Pi platform, the 2-hour course is catered for different ages and…
While not the sexiest of all products, stable and secure WiFi routers have become increasingly more important as we increasingly depend on the internet to drive our businesses, commerce, and entertainment. Unfortunately, many home router designs spend their entire lifetime hidden behind a shelf or in a closet—both no-nos regarding maximizing WiFi coverage. Not to mention—the concern for a secure network is higher than its ever been. Designed specifically to address both of these issues, the Norton Core is intended to be displayed proudly on a shelf or side table (and thus, offering more coverage than if it was confined to a closet) while providing award-winning Norton security. Not to…
#896 on the list of things you’ve never thought about? What type of planter you plant your toe roots in if you were a chubby little succulent. Let me answer that question for you. Because they’re the same planter, but different, but THE SAME. How? They all use the same shape made from the same, super slick, super shapey, 3D printed mold. Antonio García, Motion Grapher and 3d Artist, of Duke Doks is the designer and creator behind the planters you see above and he breaks down the entire process he used to make each, from modeling to molding, in this excellent video: https://youtu.be/f5ssOHKA1rI Tell me you don’t want to try this…
Most professional and amateur filmmakers and photographers have probably used a camera dolly at some point for everything from time-lapse imaging to creating smooth horizontal camera movements. Suffice it to say, those dollies can be costly depending on the rig, which is why some creative aficionados decide to build their own, which is precisely what our friend and industrial designer Eric Strebel (of Botzen Design) whipped up with his ‘HotRod’ Camera Dolly. Eric’s dolly design was initially based off a simple $20 PVC-based camera dolly from the Frugal Film Maker, which features an adjustable pipe mount with opposable wheels. The difference between the two is Eric modified his with a…
The last we heard from SolidSmack favorite Love Hultèn, the Swedish designer had just announced a retro-inspired portable wood arcade cabinet containing 100 classic 2-player arcade games back in the Fall of 2017. Hultèn, who seamlessly blends traditional wood craftsmanship with modern technology, is already at it again with yet another take on the retro gaming experience. Built as a tribute to the Commodore PET 2001, released in 1977, Hultèn’s PET De Lux is a self-described “luxurious one-of-a-kind tribute” made by hand from American walnut. https://youtu.be/utxJg13-yEM While Hultèn preserved many of the iconic design features from the original including a cassette deck and chiclet keyboard, the PET De Lux houses…
Welcome to our new ‘Ask An Engineer’ series, where Dan Slaski addresses questions that have you losing sleep or staring off into space during important meetings. Have a question for Dan? Send it in. Question: My company doesn’t create product requirements I feel they are necessary to do my job effectively. What can I do? Dear Metrics Minded, Advise that research shows better requirements lead to better on-time delivery and higher quality products that are more successful over time.” Start by making a business case. Point management to books or articles that articulate how requirements are critical to project success and highlight how creating them is in their best self-serving interest.…