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The Maker's Field Guide: The Art and Science of Making Anything Imaginable [Expanded and Updated]
Introducing The Maker's Field Guide: Your Shortcut to Building the Future
Welcome to The Maker’s Field Guide – the ultimate, one-of-a-kind blueprint for anyone ready to transform ideas into reality. Whether you're building a robot, crafting jaw-dropping special effects, or designing the next-gen gadget, this book breaks down every tool, tech, and process you need to create professional-grade prototypes. Born from over a decade of gritty, hands-on experience in advanced R&D by acclaimed industrial designer Christopher Armstrong, it’s a powerhouse guide that blends old-school craftsmanship with bleeding-edge technology.
When it first hit the scene in 2018, The Maker’s Field Guide exploded into the design and engineering world, earning top honors as the #1 Industrial Design book and a spot among the Top Design Books of All Time by BookAuthority. Major industry names like Iron & Air, Urban Workshop, and The Entrepreneur Motivation Podcast took notice, fueling a movement that showed just how hungry makers like you are for real, practical know-how.
After years of collecting feedback and fine-tuning every detail, we've revamped The Maker’s Field Guide into a brand-new, supercharged edition that fills every gap and answers every question. With a sleek new cover and over 80 pages of fresh, cutting-edge content – covering everything from AI-assisted fabrication to next-level prototyping – this guide is designed for everyone, whether you're just starting out or already a pro.
Unleash Your Inner Maker!
Ready to take your ideas from concept to reality? Whether you’re an innovator, entrepreneur, student, or DIY creator, The Maker's Field Guide is your ultimate roadmap to building cutting-edge prototypes and products—without needing a fancy degree or breaking the bank on expensive consultants. Forget the over-complicated theory, the endless academic jargon that serves no real-world purpose, and the long road to knowledge. We’ve boiled down everything you need into one compact, powerful book that you can carry in your backpack, toss in your gear bag, or keep on your workbench.
What’s Inside?
This isn’t your average “build a birdhouse” manual. The Maker’s Field Guide is packed with the tools, tips, and tricks that innovators use to turn wild ideas into real-world tech, from robotics to wearable tech, apps to gadgets. Whether you're starting your own side project or dreaming of launching the next big product, this book has your back.
Here's why you NEED this book:
1. DIY Like a Pro
Learn the cutting-edge techniques used by top engineers and creators, but in a way that’s totally approachable for self-taught enthusiasts. You can now get the knowledge you need to tinker, prototype, and invent—just like Tony Stark—without needing to attend a decade-long university program. This is your blueprint for building the future on your own terms.
2. Access to the Secret Sauce
Ever wonder how successful creators hack their way to product-market fit? This book unveils the tips and shortcuts that took years of trial and error (and probably a few tears) to learn. Forget expensive consultants; get The Maker’s Field Guide and start innovating today.
3. Tools for Every Innovator
From robotics nerds to hardware hackers, from app creators to makerspace enthusiasts, this book has something for everyone involved in the Maker Movement. Whether you're in a school maker lab or running your own garage-based startup, this guide will help you bring your projects to life faster and more efficiently than ever.
4. For Students & Educators
This is the perfect addition to any maker-space or STEM classroom. Packed with real-world advice and projects, The Maker's Field Guide is a hands-on tool for educators to inspire the next generation of innovators—and for students to get practical, immediately applicable knowledge.
5. Supercharge Your Startup
Thinking of launching your own product? This guide will help you navigate the maze of prototyping, product development, and commercialization, all with a DIY spirit. No need for a massive budget or an MBA. Start small, build smart, and scale up—this guide will show you the ropes!
6. Backed by 2,500+ Innovators
The 2020 edition had over 2,500 backers, but this new version is even bigger, bolder, and sexier. We're not just improving the content—we’re changing the way you learn to innovate.
If you're driven by curiosity, innovation, and the thrill of creation, this is YOUR chance to join a community that’s rewriting the rules of design and technology. The future of making is here, and it starts with you.
Welcome to The Maker’s Field Guide – the ultimate, one-of-a-kind blueprint for anyone ready to transform ideas into reality. Whether you're building a robot, crafting jaw-dropping special effects, or designing the next-gen gadget, this book breaks down every tool, tech, and process you need to create professional-grade prototypes. Born from over a decade of gritty, hands-on experience in advanced R&D by acclaimed industrial designer Christopher Armstrong, it’s a powerhouse guide that blends old-school craftsmanship with bleeding-edge technology.
When it first hit the scene in 2018, The Maker’s Field Guide exploded into the design and engineering world, earning top honors as the #1 Industrial Design book and a spot among the Top Design Books of All Time by BookAuthority. Major industry names like Iron & Air, Urban Workshop, and The Entrepreneur Motivation Podcast took notice, fueling a movement that showed just how hungry makers like you are for real, practical know-how.
After years of collecting feedback and fine-tuning every detail, we've revamped The Maker’s Field Guide into a brand-new, supercharged edition that fills every gap and answers every question. With a sleek new cover and over 80 pages of fresh, cutting-edge content – covering everything from AI-assisted fabrication to next-level prototyping – this guide is designed for everyone, whether you're just starting out or already a pro.
Unleash Your Inner Maker!
Ready to take your ideas from concept to reality? Whether you’re an innovator, entrepreneur, student, or DIY creator, The Maker's Field Guide is your ultimate roadmap to building cutting-edge prototypes and products—without needing a fancy degree or breaking the bank on expensive consultants. Forget the over-complicated theory, the endless academic jargon that serves no real-world purpose, and the long road to knowledge. We’ve boiled down everything you need into one compact, powerful book that you can carry in your backpack, toss in your gear bag, or keep on your workbench.
What’s Inside?
This isn’t your average “build a birdhouse” manual. The Maker’s Field Guide is packed with the tools, tips, and tricks that innovators use to turn wild ideas into real-world tech, from robotics to wearable tech, apps to gadgets. Whether you're starting your own side project or dreaming of launching the next big product, this book has your back.
Here's why you NEED this book:
1. DIY Like a Pro
Learn the cutting-edge techniques used by top engineers and creators, but in a way that’s totally approachable for self-taught enthusiasts. You can now get the knowledge you need to tinker, prototype, and invent—just like Tony Stark—without needing to attend a decade-long university program. This is your blueprint for building the future on your own terms.
2. Access to the Secret Sauce
Ever wonder how successful creators hack their way to product-market fit? This book unveils the tips and shortcuts that took years of trial and error (and probably a few tears) to learn. Forget expensive consultants; get The Maker’s Field Guide and start innovating today.
3. Tools for Every Innovator
From robotics nerds to hardware hackers, from app creators to makerspace enthusiasts, this book has something for everyone involved in the Maker Movement. Whether you're in a school maker lab or running your own garage-based startup, this guide will help you bring your projects to life faster and more efficiently than ever.
4. For Students & Educators
This is the perfect addition to any maker-space or STEM classroom. Packed with real-world advice and projects, The Maker's Field Guide is a hands-on tool for educators to inspire the next generation of innovators—and for students to get practical, immediately applicable knowledge.
5. Supercharge Your Startup
Thinking of launching your own product? This guide will help you navigate the maze of prototyping, product development, and commercialization, all with a DIY spirit. No need for a massive budget or an MBA. Start small, build smart, and scale up—this guide will show you the ropes!
6. Backed by 2,500+ Innovators
The 2020 edition had over 2,500 backers, but this new version is even bigger, bolder, and sexier. We're not just improving the content—we’re changing the way you learn to innovate.
If you're driven by curiosity, innovation, and the thrill of creation, this is YOUR chance to join a community that’s rewriting the rules of design and technology. The future of making is here, and it starts with you.
390 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2025
1 person want to read
About the author
Christopher Armstrong
3 books59 followersChristopher Armstrong is a designer, creator, and passionate problem-solver who believes that anyone—whether you're a student, teacher, parent, or curious tinkerer—should be able to bring their ideas to life. After years spent working on real-world projects with brands like Sony PlayStation, Microsoft Xbox, Hot Wheels, and the NFL, he’s learned that innovation isn’t about fancy degrees or access to endless resources; it’s about the willingness to experiment, learn, and build.
Chris’s journey started with a desire to make things, not just think about them. After studying at The Art Center College of Design, he worked with clients across the globe, from small startups to major companies, to create products that solve real problems. But what really drives him is empowering others—like you—to do the same. Whether you’re a student looking for a hands-on way to learn, a teacher wanting fresh ideas for the classroom, or a parent hoping to spark curiosity in your kids, Chris’s goal is simple: to make the process of creating accessible, fun, and rewarding.
He’s also spent years teaching and mentoring, sharing his experiences with students at schools like Art Center and Concept Design Academy. He knows firsthand what it feels like to be stuck in a system that doesn’t always give you the tools to think outside the box, and he’s here to change that. This book is his way of offering you the shortcut he never had—so you can jump into the world of creation without the pressure or the high costs.
Chris is originally from Texas and now calls Austin home, where he continues to work on projects that push boundaries and encourage others to do the same. You can find his work and creative updates on Behance www.behance.net/christopherarmstrong, Instagram (@christopher_armstrong_) and X (@MrCarmstrong), or simply dive into this guide to start building the future, one idea at a time.
If you’re ready to get hands-on, experiment, and make something amazing, you’re in the right place. Chris is here to show you how.
Chris’s journey started with a desire to make things, not just think about them. After studying at The Art Center College of Design, he worked with clients across the globe, from small startups to major companies, to create products that solve real problems. But what really drives him is empowering others—like you—to do the same. Whether you’re a student looking for a hands-on way to learn, a teacher wanting fresh ideas for the classroom, or a parent hoping to spark curiosity in your kids, Chris’s goal is simple: to make the process of creating accessible, fun, and rewarding.
He’s also spent years teaching and mentoring, sharing his experiences with students at schools like Art Center and Concept Design Academy. He knows firsthand what it feels like to be stuck in a system that doesn’t always give you the tools to think outside the box, and he’s here to change that. This book is his way of offering you the shortcut he never had—so you can jump into the world of creation without the pressure or the high costs.
Chris is originally from Texas and now calls Austin home, where he continues to work on projects that push boundaries and encourage others to do the same. You can find his work and creative updates on Behance www.behance.net/christopherarmstrong, Instagram (@christopher_armstrong_) and X (@MrCarmstrong), or simply dive into this guide to start building the future, one idea at a time.
If you’re ready to get hands-on, experiment, and make something amazing, you’re in the right place. Chris is here to show you how.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
November 9, 2025
This little book is an absolute bible for any hobbies, maker, or creator. I helped Vol one come out and likewise with Vol 2.
The new one is a much smaller format making it easy to carry.
So much info and lore, so many topics.
If you have a creative interest this will contain so many hints on the best way to do things.
One word of warning - glue a GPS tracker into it because your friends will be borrowing it constantly.
10/10 for this little gem.
The new one is a much smaller format making it easy to carry.
So much info and lore, so many topics.
If you have a creative interest this will contain so many hints on the best way to do things.
One word of warning - glue a GPS tracker into it because your friends will be borrowing it constantly.
10/10 for this little gem.
Displaying 1 of 1 review