The Internet Vending Machine
The Internet Vending Machine started with a simple idea: make online product discovery feel more like using an old vending machine. A fixed set of slots, a little curiosity, and only enough room for things worth checking out.
Inspired by old vending machines and equipment panels, the interface keeps browsing simple, tactile, and a little more fun.
I designed and built the first version in just a few days, focusing on the core interaction first: pick a slot, inspect what’s inside, vend something you’d actually want, and keep going.
The current machine stocks 16 things at a time. People can vend products, mark things they already own, vote to keep favorites stocked, restock the machine for a new batch, build a haul, share it, and suggest what should go in next. Those interactions are also beginning to shape how the inventory evolves.
Project details
My role: Product concept and direction, UX/UI design, prototyping, implementation, testing, analytics, and release
Tools: Figma, ChatGPT, Cursor, React, Vite, GitHub, Supabase, and Vercel
Timeline: Initial concept to live working product in a few days, followed by testing, analytics, inventory work, and early affiliate/partnership exploration
Still stocking it
The machine is live and still evolving. I’m continuing to test the experience, add new inventory, and see what people actually want to vend.
For more on how it works, how to help stock it, and what might be coming next:
View the product page on Atlas →
Follow the build on X / Twitter →
Full case study coming soon.
Try the machine and see what makes it into your haul.
Have a product, collection, or idea that deserves a machine?
The Internet Vending Machine started as a quick experiment and turned into a working product in just a few days.
I design and build small digital products, interactive tools, and product ideas from early concept through working release.
If you’ve got an idea that feels worth making, I’d like to hear about it.