As a team of product developers and designers, we’re always thinking about what makes a good product. This month, we wanted to share a few products our team is currently loving.
From Jeremiah, Product Design & Development Manager
Jeremiah loves show-and-tell. He couldn’t even be held to just one thing…he wanted to share two favorite products!
"This is a product I didn't go to the store for, and it wasn't shipped to my house. I 3D printed it - the white grid and the brown accessories. It's a modular wall storage system that works like a peg board. Most multiboard files are free to download and print, but some early access parts cost money. I also designed some of my own accessories in CAD to fit specific tools that were cluttering my desk. One of the cool things about Multiboard is its untraditional community-based business model, made possible by 3D printing. Multiboard isn't strictly developed by a centralized company. People in the community are constantly uploading new accessories that others can download and print for free. This supports the overall value of the business's product, and attractiveness of its paid services, without the business owners having to create all these hundreds of files themselves."
This product is awesome because it takes the traditional form factor of a soldering station (see the image of the blue and yellow Hakko product) and shrinks all the features and technology - plus more - down to the size of a Sharpie. It does that while costing about 5X less. The Pinecil case in my pictures was downloaded from online and 3D printed. I also made my own little addition - a lid (red) that allows soldering flux to be held in one of the case wells.
And look! Both products together: the Multiboard modular storage system from above with a 3D-printed piece to fit the Pinecil case.
From Katie, COO & Creative Director
"Lately we've been really into this toddler clock called Bee a Timekeeper. Harrison, my two and a half year old, loves it. After a day of working with it, he could tell me what the "next critter on the clock" the bee was going to be on and it replaced the annoying and anxiety-inducing iPhone timer. I can now tell him "the bee is on the bird, when it gets to the watering can it's time to brush teeth". If asked, he can repeat back to me what critter the bee will be on when we need to brush teeth. It honestly surprised me how quickly he understood it and accepted using it. Now when it's almost bedtime, he asks for his clock and wants me to use it to tell him when he will go into the bedroom to start reading."
From Elisabeth, Writer
"We’d been wanting an espresso machine ever since recent trips to Spain and France where every place we stayed had a Nespresso machine. There’s just something about the smooth taste and foamy consistency these machines create. Then I saw the one for us listed as the best on Wirecutter. It makes delicious lungos and there are so many different pods to choose from. They even provide a way to recycle them, something that was an initial concern. It’s ready in seconds, quiet, and even small enough to take with us on vacation. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a way to boost their morning routine."
Thanks for reading. We hope you enjoyed learning about products we’re currently loving. Now, we want to hear from you! What are you currently obsessed with? Comment below to share.
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