I hired an illustrator to draw my house. Now it's my Home Assistant dashboard (antonfrolov.substack.com)

Article summary

The author hired an illustrator to create a custom dashboard for their Home Assistant smart home system, which displays a hand-drawn picture of their house with interactive elements. The dashboard allows the family to control devices such as lights and air conditioners in a user-friendly way. The author provides technical details on how they implemented the dashboard using Home Assistant's picture-elements card and YAML mode. The result is a unique and functional interface that the whole family enjoys using.

Main themes

• smart home automation
• custom art and illustration
• user experience and interface design
• cost and accessibility
• AI-generated art and alternatives
• personalization and uniqueness

What commenters say

• Commissioning custom art for a smart home dashboard is a viable option for those who can afford it.
• The cost of hiring an illustrator for such a project is relatively low, with some arguing it's accessible to the average person.
• Others disagree, stating that the cost is still too high for most people, who would rather use AI-generated art or other alternatives.
• Some commenters argue that the value of custom art lies in its personal touch and uniqueness, while others prefer more affordable and widely available options like prints or posters.
• The use of AI-generated art is seen as a more affordable and accessible alternative to commissioning custom art.
• The discussion highlights the trade-off between the cost of custom art and the value it brings to the user experience.
• Some argue that the cost of custom art is justified by the improved user experience and functionality it provides, while others see it as a luxury only the wealthy can afford.