It’s not always easy to juggle multiple hats in the design and engineering worlds—but if there is a common language that will likely end up saving you a lot of time and frustration down the road, it’s having g basic knowledge of visual communication. While nobody can become an Aaron Draplin overnight, having a strong…
For certain assembly jobs, maneuverability can mean the difference between quality output and a heap of trash. And whether you’re putting together a workbench or a house, having the right tool at the right time is imperative to success. Unfortunately, accessibility and power rarely go hand-in-hand when it comes to power tools. The Bosch 18-Volt…
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…
Code. You don’t have to be a computer science hotshot to take the deep dive—heck, some people are up and running with their first project in a matter of weeks. But knowing where and how to enter can be half of the battle. The recently-launched Learn How to Code 2017 Bundle is the perfect entry…
Code. You don’t have to be a computer science hotshot to take the deep dive—heck, some people are up and running with their first project in a matter of weeks. But knowing where and how to enter can be half of the battle. The recently-launched Learn How to Code 2017 Bundle is the perfect entry…
Code. You don’t have to be a computer science hotshot to take the deep dive—heck, some people are up and running with their first project in a matter of weeks. But knowing where and how to enter can be half of the battle. The recently-launched Learn How to Code 2017 Bundle is the perfect entry…
While it may not be up there with Christmas, Easter, and your wedding anniversary, Amazon’s Prime Day is slowly but surely making it’s way into a bigger event each passing year. For one day and one day only (July 11th), Amazon celebrates its own version of Black Friday where Prime members can catch up on…
As far as colored pencils go, Prismacolors have just about everybody else beat. Whether you’re a designer, engineer, or even a professional artist, the quality of Prismacolors—whether you’re creating outlines or lightly shading—is just simply unrivaled. And for those looking to sketch intricate details with defined lines and crisp edges that just can’t be done…
Whether you’re making CAD adjustments to a rough prototype or simply double-checking a measurement guess, few tools are as indispensable in the design engineer’s toolkit than a reliable caliper. After all, precision is everything when it comes to top-notch design and engineering. Why fall short? But in order to do exceptional work, you need reliable…
No matter where you may find yourself, few things are as capable of getting you out of an annoying jam than a good multi-tool. And whether the problem at hand is an annoying package or simply popping the top off of a nice cold one, the wondrous satisfaction of having the right tool at the…
Are you a dovetail-cuttin’ master? Chance are, old Peepaw (or maybe your high school shop class teacher) taught you the woodworkin’ ropes on ‘real’ woodworking equipment. We’re talking equipment before the days of neon green laser guides, table saws that stop automatically when you stick a wiener in front of the blade, and smartphone ‘measuring…
“Alexa, order me a new set of Copic Markers.” “Alexa, play some funky accordion music.” “Alexa, what’s a good Chinese take-out place near me?” “Alexa, define cephalopod.” No matter what you use it for, Amazon’s Alexa Voice Service has proven to be one of the most convenient new interfaces of our time. From re-ordering studio…
Code. You don’t have to be a computer science hotshot to take the deep dive—heck, some people are up and running with their first project in a matter of weeks. But knowing where and how to enter can be half of the battle. The recently-launched Learn How to Code 2017 Bundle is the perfect entry…
These days, it’s nearly impossible to avoid having to use the cloud for at least some sort of file storage—even if it’s just a few photos off of your phone. And for more serious users, juggling huge amounts of important data can be cumbersome without a serious and dedicated Cloud storage account. For those looking…
Code. You don’t have to be a computer science hotshot to take the deep dive—heck, some people are up and running with their first project in a matter of weeks. But knowing where and how to enter can be half of the battle. The recently-launched Learn How to Code 2017 Bundle is the perfect entry…
These days, it’s nearly impossible to avoid having to use the cloud for at least some sort of file storage—even if it’s just a few photos off of your phone. And for more serious users, juggling huge amounts of important data can be cumbersome without a serious and dedicated Cloud storage account. For those looking…
It’s incredible what can be done with so little these days. While PDFs can now be signed from our smartphones and entire presentations can be given off of our tablets, the need for a laptop still hasn’t entirely gone away for most – particularly those who do 3D modeling. While it’s hardly a performer for any…
It’s not uncommon to feel like you’re being pulled down by constraints when you work in the field of product design. After all, everything from strict deadlines and challenging client presentations to manufacturing limitations and material costs are an everyday reality. Why not cut your creativity a little extra loose during the downtime? Heck, why…
While it may not be able to make your morning marmalade toast or scrub your cast iron skillets (or can it?), there are relatively few things that the Arduino single-board microcontroller can’t do. Considered by some to be the “World’s Friendliest Electronics Prototyping Platform”, the Arduino platform is also perfect for beginners who want to…
We’ve already made it clear that for those of you who have been on the fence about switching over to Fusion 360, taking advantage of today’s Amazon Prime Day deal of just $25 for a full year subscription (compared to $300) is a no-brainer, but it’s not the only good deal you can beckon from…
Unless you’ve been hiding under a (very deep) rock, we don’t need to get into specifics about Autodesk’s Fusion 360. That said, at $40 per month (or $300/year) for a professional subscription, the integrated CAD, CAM and CAE platform isn’t necessarily a bag of peanuts unless you’re committed to using it regularly. For those of…
While it may not be able to make your morning marmalade toast or scrub your cast iron skillets (or can it?), there are relatively few things that the Arduino single-board microcontroller can’t do. Considered by some to be the “World’s Friendliest Electronics Prototyping Platform”, the Arduino platform is also perfect for beginners who want to…