An AI-native DIY ecosystem that helps you turn household trash into creative projects
Solo, Design and App Developer
Digital Product Design + AI Prototyping.
ScrapLab AI: Making it easy to start making.
The Big Idea
For a DIY project to actually happen, the stars have to align perfectly. You need the materials, the tools, and the creative spark all at once. Usually, they don't. You might have a box but no idea what it could be, or a great idea but you're missing a specific lid.
The Why
We are surrounded by materials we call "trash," but they’re actually raw assets for building. At the same time, childhood is getting more digital 90% of toys are plastic and end up in landfills within months, while kids spend over 6 hours a day on screens.
The Struggle: Why don't we make more?
The Junk Pile:
We save empty boxes and jars thinking, "I'll use this someday," but we never do because we don't have a plan.
Creative Block:
It’s hard to look at a cereal box and see anything other than a cereal box.
The Cycle of Giving Up:
we get frustrated and give up. Once you're done waiting for that spark to hit, you also lose the material it usually ends up in the bin because it’s just taking up space
ScrapLab is the "nudge" that forces those stars to align before the moment passes.
How it Works I wanted the app to do the heavy lifting so you can focus on the building. 1. Take a Photo: You show the app a photo of your "trash" (or type in what you have). 2. Pick a Vibe: You tell the app if you want to make something Useful (like a pencil holder) or Fun (like a robot). 3. See the Future: The AI shows you a picture of what your specific materials could look like as a finished project. 4. Real-World Proof: It gives you a Pinterest link so you can see that real people (not just AIs) have actually made cool things with those same items. 5. Print & Build: You can print out a single-page instruction sheet or save a few ideas to create your own custom DIY booklet.
Who is it for?
Designed to be used by anyone who likes making things.
Parents & Kids:
A way to build something together on a Tuesday night without needing a fancy kit.
Adults:
A "digital detox" for people who want to unwind by making something physical.
Schools on a Budget:
Many schools can't afford expensive Kits. ScrapLab turns their recycling bin into a free Maker Kit.
How it Works I wanted the app to do the heavy lifting so you can focus on the building. 1. Take a Photo: You show the app a photo of your "trash" (or type in what you have). 2. Pick a Vibe: You tell the app if you want to make something Useful (like a pencil holder) or Fun (like a robot). 3. See the Future: The AI shows you a picture of what your specific materials could look like as a finished project. 4. Real-World Proof: It gives you a Pinterest link so you can see that real people (not just AIs) have actually made cool things with those same items. 5. Print & Build: You can print out a single-page instruction sheet or save a few ideas to create your own custom DIY booklet. How I Built It I didn't just design the screens; I used AI tools to help me build the app itself. • Faster Prototyping: I used tools like Claude Code to write the logic that helps the AI "understand" materials. For example, it knows that a cardboard tube is strong enough to be a car's axle. • Safety First: I made sure the app is smart enough to know that a 6-year-old shouldn't be told to use a sharp knife. • Privacy: I built it so your photos stay private. The app looks at your scraps, finds an idea, and then moves on. What’s Next? I’m ready to take this out of my home studio and into the real world: • Testing in Schools: I want to see how teachers use this to teach engineering when they have zero budget. • Museum Activities: Imagine walking into a museum and being able to build a quick project using just the scraps from the cafe.
