One of the things I really love about doing this master’s is having access to a tech lab that lets me explore both physical computing and 3D modeling. Lately, I’ve been obsessed with Blender and Arduino, and it's been equal parts awesome and frustrating!

Let’s start with Blender. Blender is a powerful (and free!) 3D modeling software that lets you sculpt, animate, and render anything from basic shapes to entire characters and environments. With enough time and power, you could even create something Pixar-level with it. I used Blender to create a 3D model of our “energy gym” for our Unit 3 task for Shambala. The idea was to present the digital model alongside a real-life prototype in a PowerPoint presentation, with accurate dimensions to match.

The hardest part? The steep learning curve. Blender gives you endless possibilities, which is exciting but also overwhelming. You first need to figure out what to do before you learn how to do it. It takes creative problem-solving to go from a basic cube to a full structure or character, and understanding how to rig armatures for movement was its own puzzle.

Now onto Arduino. Working with Arduino felt like stepping into the world of electrical engineering. Tons of great tutorials helped me use different inputs through a breadboard to power components for a moment, and I felt like a proper electrician!

The toughest part was actually constructing the components. But once that was sorted (with help from the lab technicians), the circuitry came together easily. That said, thinking through how to run multiple inputs in parallel, like getting the LED strips to light up incrementally, was definitely a brain workout.

I'll share more about the process soon, but overall, it’s been a challenging and rewarding ride!