Hello, I'm

Nicholas Medland

Electronics Engineering Student

I combine electronics, mechanical design, fabrication, and software to turn ideas into working physical experiences. I'm especially interested in interactive machines, robotics, and the small details that make technology feel delightful to use.

Explore my work

Selected work

Things I've made.

A mix of school, commissioned, and personal projects—each one built by getting hands-on and figuring things out.

Assembled automated card shuffler prototype — Working prototype

Card shuffler electronics and control system diagram — System design

School project 2025

Automated Card Shuffler

A working electromechanical prototype designed to shuffle a standard deck at the press of a button.

I designed the mechanical system, iterated through 3D-printed parts, and integrated an Arduino with motors, sensors, buttons, and a remote. The project turned a deceptively simple action into a useful lesson in tolerances, testing, and physical systems.

Tools & skills

ArduinoElectronicsCAD3D PrintingPrototyping

01 The challenge+

Move inconsistent playing cards reliably without jams, while keeping the machine compact and easy to operate.

02 What I learned+

Small mechanical tolerances matter, and the fastest route to a reliable design is often to build, observe, and revise.

Custom black honeycomb organizers installed at a bar — Installed on location

Detail of custom cup and glass organizers — Fitted compartments

Another installed custom barware organizer — Designed for service

Commissioned project 2026

Custom Barware System

A family of fitted organizers that keeps cups and glassware tidy, protected, and ready during busy service.

Created for a live hospitality environment, these pieces were measured, modelled, printed, and refined for the exact spaces where they would be used. The honeycomb construction keeps each part strong while limiting material and print time.

Tools & skills

Fusion 3603D PrintingProduct DesignClient Work

01 The challenge+

Fit awkward, high-traffic spaces and multiple container sizes without slowing down service.

02 What I learned+

A useful product starts with watching how people actually work—not just measuring the available space.

Finished large gold FIFA World Cup trophy replica — Finished display piece

Black assembled trophy replica sections during fabrication — Section assembly

Trophy replica components during priming and painting — Surface preparation

Commissioned project 2026

FIFA World Cup Trophy Replica

A large-format display prop built from a digital idea into a finished, event-ready centrepiece.

This project required breaking an organic form into manufacturable sections, assembling the full-scale structure, filling and finishing the surface, and completing a convincing metallic paint treatment.

Tools & skills

Large-Scale Fabrication3D PrintingFinishingAssembly

01 The challenge+

Translate a detailed sculptural object into printable sections while keeping the assembled form rigid and visually seamless.

02 What I learned+

The last ten percent—surface preparation, assembly, and paint—can determine whether a prototype reads as a prop or a finished product.

SFU HUB student website homepage — Student dashboard

SFU HUB parking information and campus map page — Parking tool

BACKENDBuilt for the teamREST APIs · Prisma · Unit tests

Backend contribution

School project 2024

SFU HUB

A student-focused campus web app, built with a team to make everyday SFU information easier to find.

I worked primarily on the backend: building REST APIs, connecting data through Prisma, and writing tests so the app’s features stayed dependable as the project grew.

Tools & skills

TypeScriptREST APIsPrismaUnit TestingTeam Development

01 The challenge+

Organize several student utilities behind a consistent, testable interface while coordinating work across a development team.

02 What I learned+

Clear API contracts and tests make teamwork faster because everyone can build against shared expectations.

Black honeycomb can holder installed at a bar — Installed on location

Detail view of the can holder — Honeycomb construction

Can holder loaded with cans and a bottle — In daily use

Commissioned project 2026

Service-Ready Can Holder

A compact holder designed to keep cans organized and easy to reach in a working bar environment.

The final part was shaped around real containers and an existing station, then printed with a lightweight honeycomb structure. It is a small object, but a good example of design that quietly improves a repetitive task.

Tools & skills

CAD3D PrintingRapid IterationHuman-Centred Design

01 The challenge+

Create a stable, durable organizer that fits a limited footprint and can handle everyday commercial use.

02 What I learned+

Simple commissioned projects reward careful measurements, fast feedback, and respect for the person using the object every day.

Thermostat cover glowing red with an SFU mark at night — Illuminated at night

White thermostat cover installed on a wall — Clean front view

Angled view of the installed thermostat cover — Mounting detail

Personal project 2026

Illuminated Thermostat Cover

A clean wall cover that hides a thermostat and turns a practical object into a subtle illuminated feature.

I modelled the enclosure to sit neatly on the wall, designed the mounting details, and used light through the printed surface to create a playful SFU reveal after dark.

Tools & skills

CAD3D PrintingLightingEnclosure Design

01 The challenge+

Hide an existing wall control without making access difficult or adding visual clutter to the room.

02 What I learned+

Material thickness can be a visual tool: the same printed part can look solid in daylight and glow with detail at night.