design with software and electronics
Andy Sigler
About
I'm a designer who uses software and electronics. I use emerging technologies to design novel devices and interactions. I hope to use these tools to bring some magic and playfulness to everyday objects. These days, I'm most interested in finding new forms of interaction at the intersection of machine-learning, hardware, and connected devices.
Check out my portfolio, my blog, or my NYU graduate course Homemade Hardware.
Work
ITP Fellow 2020
@ ITP-NYU
@ ITP-NYU
- Developing software tools and experiences for ITP's robotic arms
- Teaching wider ITP community how to safely use large robotic arms
- Developing curriculum for a future class around the robotic arms
Freelance Consulting 2019-Present
@ self
@ self
- Advising and developing on IoT systems and products, for startups, companies and regional artists
Software / Electronics / Systems Engineer 2014-'19
@ Opentrons-Labworks
@ Opentrons-Labworks
- First employee at startup, writing entire software stack for Kickstarter release
- Designed and developed the Opentrons Python API on a small team, released winter 2016
- Lead design and systems engineering of the OT2 liquid-handling machine and pipettes
- Wrote OT2 and Module device firmware, motion control software, and production line testing software
- Sole electronics designer for the OT2, pipettes, temperature module, and magnetic module
- Lead early product ideation, R&D, testing, and design for all hardware products, focusing on electronics and systems design
- Helped grow factory and production process in Opentrons' Shenzhen factory, growing from two employees in 2016 to greater than fifty in 2019
Adjunct Professor 2015-Present
@ ITP-NYU
@ ITP-NYU
- Teaching a course of my own design, entitled Homemade Hardware
- Graduate students from all types of backgrounds learn to design and fabricate DIY circuit boards
Electronics Design Engineer 2015-'16
@ Tomorrow Lab
@ Tomorrow Lab
- Designed and tested production-ready prototypes and beta runs of wireless devices
- Designed electronics and firmware for devices utilizing wireless protocols, including Bluetooth LE, WiFi, LoRa, and ANT
Research Resident 2014-'15
@ ITP-NYU
@ ITP-NYU
- Research focusing on internet-of-things design tools, as well as circuit board fabrication techniques
- Mentored graduate students with their projects, as well as held office hours to teach relevant engineering skills
- Created the ITP "Hard-Lab", which is a section of the facility dedicated to circuit board fabrication, using pick-and-place machine, micro-milling machines, reflow ovens, parts management, and diagnostic equipment
Tools
- Python
- Javascript (ES2019, NodeJS, HTML5/CSS)
- Firmware, Embedded C/C++, Arduino
- Tensorflow 2.0, Keras, TensorflowJS
- PCB Design, DFM, Eagle CAD
- MaxMSP/Jitter
Techniques
- Product Development
- Wired/Wireless/Embedded Systems Design
- Interaction Design
- Solder, multimeter, tweezers
- Duct tape, Gaffer tape
Education
Master's Degree 2012-'14
@ ITP-NYU
@ ITP-NYU
- Self-lead master's degree, focused on interaction design through emerging hardware and internet technologies
- Presented a master's thesis, Patchbay, a wireless framework for designing wirelessly interoperable toys and musical instruments
Bachelor's Degree 2006-'10
@ Hamilton-College
@ Hamilton-College
- Political science major, and music minor
- Varsity lacrosse player, three years starting at defensive midfield and close defense
- Member of Alpha Delta Phi fraternity