Greetings!

Hi, I’m John Hribar a.k.a. Pants, owner of Smarty Pants Consulting

What We Do

• Development: We’ll work closely with you to fill in the technical gaps on your projects, whether that is speccing lights or sensors, programming logic on an array of computers or custom-designing circuitry to make your dream a reality
• Creation: We can also help you physically build and install your project, seeing the entire thing through to completion and troubleshooting along the way
• STEM Outreach: We hope to expand the field of tech-savvy artists, conducting classes and workshops for both children and adults

Our Mission

To bridge the gap between technology and art, helping artists wield a full arsenal of digital tools in the service of expressing themselves and their communities.

Tech Stack

  $ whoami
  SmartyPantsConsulting
  
  $ cat skills.json
  {
    "languages": ["C/C++", "Python", 
      "Javascript", "Processing", 
      "Verilog-A", "Ladder Logic"],
    "hardware": {
      "microcontrollers": ["Atmel", 
          "Espressif", "STM32", 
          "RPi"],
      "fpga": ["iCE40",
        "DE2-115 Cyclone IV E"],
      "plc": "IDEC",
      "vfd": "Schneider Electric"
    },
    "software": {
      "adobe": ["Photoshop", 
          "Illustrator"],
      "microsoft": ["Excel", "Word",
          "Powerpoint"],
      "design": ["Fusion360", 
          "FreeCAD", "KiCAD"],
      "audio/video": ["Audacity", 
          "QLC+", "KdenLive"],
      "utilities": ["git", 
          "bash", "vim"]
    },
    "tools": ["multimeter", 
      "oscilloscope", 
      "logic analyzer", 
      "soldering iron", 
      "3d printer"],
    "misc": ["RFID", "Network Admin", 
      "Sys Admin", "RS485/DMX", 
      "ArtNet", "E1.31/sACN", "OPC", 
      "WS28XX"]
  }

My Journey

I first when to school to study English, focusing on folklore and poetry. Several years and service-industry jobs later, I realized there was also a kind of poetry in mathematics and science, and went back to school to get a degree in electrical engineering. Post-graduation I worked at a startup doing research in high-speed analog circuit design, mostly read-out ICs for infrared sensors. Uncomfortable with the involvement of the Department of Defense in our funding, I left to work at a design firm that specialized in designing exhibits for children’s museums and science centers. Recognizing an aptitude for the work and wanting to continue to challenge myself, I left the firm to start Smarty Pants Consulting in 2024.