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Weekend Workshop: How to build a delightfully retro Tetris lamp

weekend workshop tetris lamp 040916
dwxh/Flickr
Need something to keep you busy this weekend? Look no further. The Weekend Workshop is our weekly column where we showcase a badass DIY project that you can complete with minimal skills and expertise. We’ve dug through all the online tutorials on the Web, and gone the extra mile to pinpoint projects that are equal parts easy, affordable, and fun. So put on your work pants, grab your tool belt, and head to the garage — it’s time to start building!

Who didn’t love Alexey Pajitnov’s 1984 classic puzzle game, Tetris? Easily one of the most iconic video games ever created, Pajitnov’s creation tasks players with fitting randomly falling tetrominoes into horizontal lines. Due to the nature of the varying shapes, this mission was often a lot easier said than done. When the game made its way from the USSR to the United States in 1987, the country’s budding gaming community embraced the challenging title with open arms. Today, Guinness Book of World Records recognizes Tetris as the most ported game in history. It has reportedly appeared on more than 65 different platforms and game systems.

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watchmeflyy/Instructables
watchmeflyy/Instructables

These days, it’s much bigger than just games. Due in large part to this infatuation with the Russian-born puzzler, Tetris has been adapted by companies like Hasbro, known for its popular physical puzzle games Bop It and Jenga. Additionally, a film adaptation of Tetris is currently in the works and is even being described as an “epic sci-fi adventure.” Because of the continued hype surrounding the game, you shouldn’t be surprised to know Tetris has become home decor. We certainly weren’t when we came across a handy Instructables user’s walkthrough for building a Tetris-inspired modular lamp. Better yet, with even just a few hours of spare time you can build one yourself.

User watchmeflyy’s posted blueprint has a very straightforward required build list. Every accessory needed to construct the Tetris modular lamp can be picked up at any typical hardware or art store. To help you get a head start on the project, we combed through the Instructables walkthrough to figure out the exact supplies needed for the build. Here’s everything you’ll need to get started:

Tools:

  • Scissors
  • Glue stick
  • Tape
  • Sharp needle

Materials:

  • Sheets of clear polyester (5)
  • Copper foil tape
  • Plastic-coated wire
  • Magnets (12)
  • 1.5V white LED lights
  • Tissue paper
  • Cardboard
  • Paper
  • 3V coin battery

With all the necessary tools and materials compiled, you’re now able to begin construction of watchmeflyy’s novel Tetris-inspired lamp. Just follow the comprehensive walkthrough published on Instructables. In a matter of hours you’ll be able to outfit your home or apartment with one of these colorfully retro lamps. Happy building!

The entire step-by-step walkthrough on constructing this Tetris-inspired modular lamp can be found here.

Rick Stella
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Rick became enamored with technology the moment his parents got him an original NES for Christmas in 1991. And as they say…
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