346: You Have Everything You Need

Embedded.fm · 1 Oct 2020 · 1h 07m · Episode 346

What this episode covers

Sophy Wong, a designer and author of 'Wearable Tech Projects', discusses her journey from graphic design and fashion to creating wearable technology and digital fabrication projects. She explains her broad definition of wearables, the importance of documentation in her tutorial writing process, and how she balances engineering constraints with aesthetic goals in projects like her custom space suit. Wong also shares advice on overcoming creative blocks, designing natural sensor-driven animations, and finding motivation during difficult times by focusing on personal value and accessibility.

Mentioned

Companies
Adafruit
Chips
LilyPad Arduino
Tools
Evernote
Materials
EVA foam
Also
Sophy Wong, Wearable Tech Projects, HackSpace Magazine, Make Magazine, Diana Eng, CircuitPython, Debby Millman, Design Matters, Saul, King of Misery, Stefan Sagmeister

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 06m

    An Interview with Noah Feehan - Biloquistic Blinking Blush

    Jason Kotki, a hardware engineer at the New York Times R&D Lab, discusses his work on experimental wearables and interactive art installations. He details the development of 'Blush,' a wearable that flashes when conversation topics match his browser history, and 'Fixture,' a device visualizing phone orientation. Kotki also describes building a thermal camera using the Panasonic GridEye sensor and shares his experience collaborating with Björk on the Biophilia project.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 47m

    An Interview with Jeff Rowberg - Mini Module Master

    Jeff Rowberg, a Field Application Engineer at BlueGiga Technologies and creator of the KeyGlove Project, discusses the technical and business aspects of wearable computing. He details the use of BlueGiga's WT12 Bluetooth modules and the proprietary IRAP stack to enable flexible HID profiles for his glove, while also explaining his open-source I2C dev library for InvenSense sensors. Rowberg addresses the significant delays in his Kickstarter-funded KeyGlove project, citing the difficulty of integrating electronics with flexible fabrics and his new full-time role at BlueGiga.

  • Making It · 1h 00m

    531: Using My Bad Finger... For Good.

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss their current projects, including Diresta's leather chair and boat building, Clagett's climbing wall and Karmann Ghia restoration, and Picciuto's recasing of a temperature monitor. They engage in a deep conversation about the creative constraints they place on themselves, such as minimum complexity thresholds for YouTube content, the pressure of sponsorships, and the importance of letting go of perfectionism to focus on the journey of making. The hosts share personal breakthroughs, such as Diresta using his injured finger for pottery and Clagett finding success with simple metalwork, emphasizing that audience value and personal enjoyment must coexist regardless of project scale.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 39m

    Finishing Prototypes with Zack Freedman

    Zack Freedman, the creator behind the YouTube channel Voidstar Labs, discusses his transition from freelance prototyping engineer to full-time content creator. He details his methodology for finishing prototypes by breaking projects into sub-assemblies to ensure progress is visible at every stage, and explains his strategic approach to YouTube content, including the use of a wearable teleprompter to maintain high pacing and persona. Freedman also shares insights on the challenges of the maker economy, the importance of testing unknowns early in the design process, and his philosophy on building technology that serves a clear purpose rather than just showcasing technical novelty.

  • The Electromaker Show · 1h 08m

    Documentation as Code: A chat with Alasdair Allan from Raspberry Pi

    Alasdair Allan, Head of Documentation at Raspberry Pi, explains the 'Documentation as Code' philosophy used for the RP2040 and Pico W, emphasizing narrative and accessibility. He discusses the challenges of documenting custom ASICs, the pricing strategy behind the $4 Pico, and the importance of bridging the gap between expert engineers and generalist makers. Allan also shares personal project ideas, including a Wi-Fi mesh cannon and a personal time zone clock, while critiquing the friction in modern smart home technology.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Embedded.fm. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.