Conventionally electronics that are built from a kit-of-parts have been optimized for speed, efficiency and repeatability of assembly. While this approach demonstrates the power of modular systems that have made many of the technologies we rely on possible, it also constrains us to particular styles of building, influencing what we build as well as impacting how we come to think about electronics. A Kit-of-No-Parts demonstrates a new approach to building electronics that emphasizes the expressive qualities of diverse materials as well as the skill and creativity of the builder. I believe that a more insightful and skilled process is also capable of producing more intelligible and personal results. In order to promote a different approach I have developed a series of techniques that allow us to build electronics using a variety of craft materials and tools. This website documents these techniques in the form of “recipes”. Besides containing instructions on how to build electronics these recipes are also detailed accounts of my development process that aim to promote further exploration and material investigation, instead of straightforward replication. This website is both the documentation and result of my thesis work towards a masters degree in the High-Low Tech research group at the MIT Media Lab. My thesis describes A Kit-of-No-Parts as an approach to crafting electronics, rather than designing discrete components. While the thesis has been written and handed in, this website remains a work in progress. I continue to add new information and update the existing. >> Download Thesis
Kit-of-No-Parts
Conventionally electronics that are built from a kit-of-parts have been optimized for speed, efficiency and repeatability of assembly. While this approach demonstrates the power of modular systems that have made many of the technologies we rely on possible, it also constrains us to particular styles of building, influencing what we build as well as impacting how we come to think about electronics. A Kit-of-No-Parts demonstrates a new approach to building electronics that emphasizes the expressive qualities of diverse materials as well as the skill and creativity of the builder. I believe that a more insightful and skilled process is also capable of producing more intelligible and personal results. In order to promote a different approach I have developed a series of techniques that allow us to build electronics using a variety of craft materials and tools. This website documents these techniques in the form of “recipes”. Besides containing instructions on how to build electronics these recipes are also detailed accounts of my development process that aim to promote further exploration and material investigation, instead of straightforward replication. This website is both the documentation and result of my thesis work towards a masters degree in the High-Low Tech research group at the MIT Media Lab. My thesis describes A Kit-of-No-Parts as an approach to crafting electronics, rather than designing discrete components. While the thesis has been written and handed in, this website remains a work in progress. I continue to add new information and update the existing. >> Download Thesis
(PDF) A Kit-of-No-Parts Poster2
PDF | When we build electronics from discrete components our designs are shaped by their standardized forms and func- tionalities. While datasheets... | Find, read and cite all the research you need on ResearchGate
Principles for crafting software
My principles for deciding what to work on and how to build it.
A corner of the web for builders.
My name is Will King, and I am a design engineer...among many other things. You can find all of that work below and if you see something you like then let's be friends.
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Everything is ugly, so go build something that isn't — Raiza Martin, Huxe (ex NotebookLM)
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wafer.space - Budget silicon manufacturing.
Create integrated circuits without breaking the bank!
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Designers now turn ideas into working products. Explore a curated collection of apps, tools, websites, and experiments designed, built, and shipped by designers.
