After four decades of engineering, problem-solving, and building things that had to work, I’ve officially entered a new phase: building things that are simply… fun.
For years, my work lived in a world of requirements, constraints, and deadlines. It was rewarding, challenging, and meaningful—but somewhere along the way, I realized something: the joy of creating doesn’t always have to come with a spec sheet. Now that I’m retired, I’ve given myself permission to explore some fun engineering, or what I call the “Fun Side of Design.”
So what does that mean?
It means designing things because they make me smile. It means creating products that bring a little personality to a workspace, a game night, or a hobby bench. It means blending engineering precision with a bit of playfulness—whether that’s a rotating card holder for family game night, a display stand for a favorite model, a design guide for an indoor free flight model, or a helipad that just looks cool sitting on a shelf (or actually gets used in the backyard).
Some of these ideas will be practical. Some might be a little quirky. A few may even surprise me along the way. But they all share one thing in common: they’re built with the same attention to detail I’ve always had—just with a lighter spirit behind them.
This is just the beginning. I’ve got a growing list of concepts, prototypes on the bench, and more ideas than I probably should admit. If you enjoy thoughtful design, a bit of creativity, and the occasional “why not?”—you’re in the right place.
Welcome to the Fun Side.
