When it comes to being at the right place at the right time, nothing beats that old saying, “the best camera is the camera you have with you.” Perhaps the same can be said for sketchbooks—the best sketchbook is the one you have with you when inspiration strikes. Which is why the pocket-sized Field Notes have always been a favorite for designers and engineers. At just over $3 a pop, these no-fuss 48-page memo books are perfect for laying down rough ideas without worrying about wasting precious paper in a leather hardcover book. Plus, they’re the perfect size for throwing in a shoebox to keep a record of all those…

Yeah, that Periodic Table of Elements on your wall? The shirt of the Periodic Table you got for your college graduation? The tattoo you got of your name in Periodic table notation? Yeah, people laughed. But turns out, JOKES ON THEM. The Periodic Table is still… So, you’ve got all that, maybe a mug and pajama set printed with the chemical formula for coffee (C8H10N4O2), but do you have a 3D printed Periodic Table? Well, maybe you got a brand new 3D printer for Christmas and you’re wondering what havoc you can wreak, or you have a 3D printer and you’re looking for a print to kick off the year.…

With the ability to let users explore and communicate their ideas directly in 3D though AR and VR, few design tools have come along in recent memory that is as unique as Gravity Sketch. Designed to be intuitive in a VR or Mixed Reality workflow before sending over to a more robust CAD program, the tool is ideal for early-stage concept exploration in automotive, architecture, product design, and engineering applications. Among others who have adopted the new design sketching tool into their workflow is NYC-based industrial designer Nicholas Baker, a Savannah College of Art and Design who regularly updates videos of his VR sketches to his Instagram feed. “The world…

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! Weather Line (iOS — $3.99) Your brain processes images 60,000x FASTER than text. SEE your forecast. Scribble Online (iOS – Free)…

While just about everybody loves dogs, caring for their daily needs is far from easy—the midnight yelps, the endless appetite, and perhaps the most time-consuming of all, taking them out after every meal. The last problem in particular is what the designers of BrilliantPad aim to solve. The BrilliantPad is a self-cleaning dog potty which, when used by a dog weighing under 25 pounds, soaks up liquid waste and dries out solid waste before tucking it away for weeks until the absorbent roll is used up: As to be expected, certain precautions have been made to prevent the BrilliantPad from stinking up your living space. Among others, these include an…