SparkFun’s Creative Technologist Melissa Felderman has an epic write-up on Ponoko’s blog for thinking through and designing objects for laser cutting. The blog introduces the 7 elements of graphic design: line, color, value, shape, texture, space, and form, then introduces 7 principles of design (balance, unity & harmony, hierarchy, scale & proportion, dominance & emphasis, similarity & contrast, and white space) to create a good primer for all makers to read when thinking about designing laser cut objects (and, obviously, for other modes of making as well).
If you are a designer or engineer selling the products you make, or using them to brand your business, you know it takes more than just an original idea or a unique product to be successful. In competitive marketplaces such as Etsy and Kickstarter, and in big trade shows, conferences and events, not only do your products need to be designed well, but you may also need strong branding, web presence and beautiful product photos in order to capture customers’ attention.
It may seem overwhelming at first, but fear not! This article will help you gain an understanding of basic graphic design and offer a set of practical design guidelines so you can laser cut with confidence.
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Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.
Have an amazing project to share? The Electronics Show and Tell is every Wednesday at 7pm ET! To join, head over to YouTube and check out the show’s live chat – we’ll post the link there.
Python for Microcontrollers — Python on Microcontrollers Newsletter: CircuitPython 8.1.0 and 8.2.0-beta0 out and so much more! #CircuitPython #Python #micropython @ThePSF @Raspberry_Pi
