Makers

Zen and the Art of Making

Zen and the Art of Making

This week for my bi-weekly soapbox columns I thought I’d share some of my notes I’ve jotted down recently about making things, working with and supporting beginners. Lately, I’ve been thinking about how much fun it is when you’re a beginner at something as opposed to being an “expert”.

At some point, we all become experts at something. I really want to avoid being an expert in some things, only so I can continually look forward to learning more without the overhead of being an “expert”. Being an expert means your journey is somewhat over. I was going to call this column the “expert problem” but I hope you enjoy this semi-stream of conscience collected over the last few weeks. Be sure to post up in the comments about your experiences with learning a new skill and how you keep motivated to keep learning more.

Continue Reading Phillip Torrone88
Benoit Maubrey Takes “Wall of Sound” Literally

Benoit Maubrey Takes “Wall of Sound” Literally

MAKE has covered Berlin-based artist Benoît Maubrey prior work on Audio Ballerinas. Now he has created a similar, but stationary sculpture using over 1000 repurposed speakers. It’s called “Speakers Wall” and in the center is a genuine piece of the Berlin Wall. It has become something of a speaker’s corner for remote museum attendees who can call in and talk through a set of the speakers for 3 minutes. As an added bonus, the speakers are used as a PA system for DJs during concerts – I can only imagine what that would sound like.

Continue Reading Michael Colombo2
Mitch Altman’s Hacker Trip to Egypt

Mitch Altman’s Hacker Trip to Egypt

I got back from Cairo last Friday. I’m still somewhat exhausted, but definitely glowing from the experience. The main purpose for this trip was to set up a three-day hackerspace at Maker Faire Africa, which was held in Cairo this year. As you can imagine, it was an exciting time to be in Egypt! Lots of high hopes in the wake of the “Freedom Revolution.” Plus, lots of attempts by a still-ruling-military to divide-and-rule.

Continue Reading Gareth Branwyn8
Can DigiFab and Manual Craftsmanship Co-Exist?

Can DigiFab and Manual Craftsmanship Co-Exist?

Among MAKE readers, we’re nearly unanimous in agreeing that the rise of digital fabrication is a complete game-changer for crafters, hackers, and tinkerers of all stripes. Laser cutters, CNC mills, and 3D printers have altered the way we think about design, and raised the bar for quality and precision in our work. I’m a passionate adopter of these technologies, but am also wary of the cultural shift they represent as they become more ubiquitous.

Continue Reading Michael Colombo30