Hello SparkFun Nation! My name is Feldi and I am the newest creative technologist here at SparkFun. I am so excited to start sharing our latest products and projects with you! Before I do, I’d like for us to get to know each other a little bit.
I come from New York, where I was introduced to the world of programmable electronics while working in advertising. A department in my agency was dedicated to building physically-interactive experiences and I felt excited by the creative possibilities I saw. Problem was, I didn't have any of the necessary practical skills! This led to my decision to pursue my master's degree at the Interactive Telecommunications Program at NYU, where I focused my studies on programmable electronics, wearable electronics, digital fabrication, and design. I spent my time exploring the intersection of technology and craft - working endless hours in Arduino, designing circuits, and on the laser cutter. I received my degree in May and I am thrilled to begin this next chapter at SparkFun!
As a maker, I like to think about how we can leverage emerging technology to alleviate mental and emotional stress in everyday life. One of my latest projects, PRISMATIME, looks to minimize feelings of anxiety and stress surrounding time.
I also love designing interactive experiences that create small moments of joy, such as The Digital Graffiti Wall.
My background as an artist and designer frequently influences my work. I am an avid crafter and love all things handmade. I regularly incorporate elements of these disciplines in my projects. An example of this is Lady in LED, a handmade dress with an LED collar that illuminates only when the dress is on.
I’m so grateful to be a part of the SparkFun community and I cannot wait to get to know you all better! I would love to hear from you - please share your favorite projects, questions and ideas with me on Twitter @feldimade or in the comments!
FELDI FUN FACTS
- Bob’s Burgers is my favorite TV show.
- I am very passionate about pizza.
- I have two pets: a cat and a dog. They do not get along. Yet.
- I met J.K. Rowling once when I was a kid. BEST. DAY. EVER.
- Mountains over beaches.
- Coffee = life.
So PRISMATIME is essentially an rgb led + rtc breakout board?? And this is the level of technical qualification that can be expected of a sparkfun "creative technologist"? Honestly I question the technical qualifications of most of Sparkfun's "creative technologist" staff. How many of them have spent "countless hours" writing their own stl compatible containers, writing their own iterators, and more "countless hours" debugging when they end up segfaulting? I wonder how many of them also refer to using the "arduino programming language" rather than c / c++?
Can we please get some more interesting videos / projects / tutorials from some of the classic sparkfun presenters like Nick (the beard guy)? "Creative Technology" videos shouldn't be ONLY leds and variations of leds and el-wire on clothing but lately it's like that's all that comes out of sparkfun. Back like 2013 - 2014 projects used to be more fun, and more.... engaging (I remember the video where Nick was building an rc plane and it didn't really work but it was fun watching him try).
Not saying you're wrong but it isn't always necessarily the technology itself; it's the application of it. It takes a special person to be able to think up a project, and design all aspect of it from start to finish. No offense to you but most of the time those programmers who spend hours debugging and such only do programming. A creative technologist does much more than that; they have to think up an idea (oftentime a client's idea in the workplace) and take that idea from start to finish, be it designing a PCB, a custom enclosure, writing code for Arduino, Processing, Python, whatever. It's not their job to be a professional programmer; it's their job to make stuff.
Hey Feldi, just curious about something: did you look at any other master's programs in NYC before you chose NYU?
Welcome Feldi, your going to love Sparkfun. I've been doing this sort of thing for over 40 years. I'm an old Z80 hacker. Looking forward to your ideas and contributions to the maker world. Live Long and Prosper....
Excited to see your work in the future! You got this!
Oh, also... In your picture at the top of this blog you kinda look like Dr. Kiki. ;-)
Welcome to the SparkFun family, Feldi! :-D
A couple thoughts I had about your PRISMATIME thesis.
I look forward to seeing what ideas you add to the SparkFun library of tutorials and blogs.
Thanks for the feedback! I'm definitely interested in learning more about circadian rhythms and applying it to PRISMATIME! I consider some of my work products and some projects - it depends on the concept more than weather or not I want to bring it to market! :)
All my life, I've been at loggerheads with time. I love seeing someone smart and creative attacking my issues with time head-on!
Happy to help!
Well, everybody knows that coffee equals life! Welcome to the front range.
Congrats Feldi, super excited to see all the nifty pizazz you will bring to Sparkfun.
Congratulations on your new role, Feldi!
Thank you!