If you’re a self-confessed tech geek, finding your next immersive project or hobby is always a top priority. Fortunately, there is an endless variety of hobbies and activities perfect for improving your tech skills, regardless of your age or capabilities. Furthermore, taking up a new hobby can be immensely rewarding, boosting your self-confidence and giving you a renewed sense of purpose. Let’s take a look at just a few of the exciting and gratifying pastimes for your consideration.
Digital Art
Art is an excellent form of self-expression. It can help us process emotions, communicate socio-political information and understand the world through a medium practised since the dawn of humanity. Art has undergone numerous changes throughout the years, and while some purists and art critics still regard digital art with scepticism and cynicism, there is no denying its prevalence in the modern world of art. With the right software and a few basic techniques, you can experiment and allow your creativity to flourish.
Artificial Intelligence
The continuous development of AI. technology cannot be ignored. From process automation for large-scale companies to making visual art, there are few things modern AI can’t do. While some believe the prevalence of AI will soon become out of hand, it’s hard to deny the many ways in which it has already enriched our lives. Additionally, experimenting with AI can also be remarkably enjoyable. For instance, you can feed AI generators with information to make visual art, scripts, poems, animations and more.
3D Printing
Over the past decade, 3D printing has gone from a niche subject to something many of us are trying for ourselves. The availability of affordable 3D printers has risen considerably, making them ideal for art projects and product development. At around £150 for an entry-level model, you won’t have to fork out much for a good quality 3D printer. Furthermore, 3D printing doesn’t have to be intimidating – by following online tutorials and starting with straightforward projects, you’ll get the hang of things relatively quickly.
Coding
Learning to code can be a tricky yet highly rewarding process. If you enjoy activities that involve problem-solving skills, creativity and critical thinking, there is every chance that you can become a talented and successful programmer. First of all, you’ll need to decide which coding language you want to learn, such as Python or C++. Learning to code can be tremendously fun, but it also expands your skill set, which could be extremely beneficial for your career options.
Building A Gaming PC
If you’re a tech enthusiast, you’re probably already a seasoned gamer. However, tinkering with your gaming system could enrich your gaming experience considerably. Gaming PCs require regular upgrades and updates in order to function at full capacity, providing the player with high-quality, immersive gaming experiences. To guarantee high-performance gaming, consider upgrading your pc parts, such as your graphics card or CPU. If you’re a console gamer, you could make the switch and start building a gaming PC from scratch with exceptional hand-selected components.
Retro Gaming
If you’re tired of the continuous barrage of AAA titles, it may be worth exploring the world of retro gaming. You may have an old console gathering dust in the attic, like a Sega Mega Drive or an original PlayStation. Alternatively, you could install an emulator on your gaming PC, giving you access to an endless list of retro classics, from Mario Kart 64 to Street Fighter. Retro gaming can help you tap into nostalgic memories whilst reminding you just how far modern gaming has come.
Drone Photography
Purchasing a drone and using it for artistic purposes can be great fun. The price range of drones varies significantly, from £50 to £5,000 upwards, depending on the quality of the technology. For instance, an affordable entry-level drone purchased for aerial photography may come with a 1080P HD camera and a relatively short battery life. In contrast, many high-end professional drones are able to carry out an impressive range of tasks due to state-of-the-art technology.
Ethical Hacking
Believe it or not, there is such a thing as “ethical hacking”, which is the practice of using hacking techniques to counteract cybercrime. By understanding the processes involved in malicious hacking, experts can improve cyber security, reduce the risk of stolen data, and prevent malware attacks. You can learn to hack ethically by signing up for free online courses and following tutorials. Additionally, you can learn more about ethical hacking from this article.