Read the Full Series
This article is one part of a walkthrough detailing how we recreated an NXP i.MX 8M Mini–based computer using Quilter’s physics-driven layout automation.
Every engineering career hits inflection points.
A design that doesn’t converge.
A team that stalls.
A decision that feels irreversible.
At those moments, what matters most isn’t another framework or tool.
It’s perspective—from someone who has already made the mistakes.
That’s what Build is.
A Mentor in Print
Before creating the iPod, iPhone, and Nest, Tony Fadell spent a decade failing in Silicon Valley. The lessons in Build come from that full arc—not just the wins.
The book is deliberately unglamorous.
It covers things builders actually run into:
- How to make hard calls with incomplete data
- What to do when a project or career stalls
- How design and leadership decisions compound over time
- Why hero culture breaks engineering teams
- How to recover—technically and personally—when things go wrong
Follow Us on X
At Quilter, we spend our time on a related problem: How to remove bottlenecks that slow down iteration.
Progress comes from disciplined iteration, not mythology.
That statement resonates because it mirrors the philosophy behind Build:
- Tools matter
- Mentors matter
- Learning cycles matter most
- Practical engineering resources
- Hard‑won lessons from real hardware programs
- Clear thinking on Hardware‑Rich Development—how teams iterate faster
- Breakdowns of why certain approaches work, and where they fail
If you care about compressing iteration cycles in hardware without hand‑waving or hype, that’s what we publish.
The Giveaway
We’re giving away 20 copies of Build, signed by Tony Fadell.
How to enter
- Follow Quilter on X (Twitter)
- Mention us in a post sharing the best mentor advice you’ve ever received (optional)
That’s it.
On January 20, we’ll randomly select 20 winners from all followers—new and existing. Winners will be contacted via DM from our official account to coordinate shipping. (That means anyone else contacting you otherwise isn’t really us.)
If you’re the kind of person who builds things—and wants to get better at it—this book belongs on your desk.
Terms & Conditions (The Practical Details)
- No purchase necessary
- To enter, follow Quilter on X by January 20, 2026
Winners must be located in one of the following regions: USA, Canada, Brazil, Chile, UK, EU (including Schengen zone), Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Australia, or New Zealand
