Summary of "How to make a cardboard prototype"
Quick summary
Andrew Brace, a prototyper at Quirky, demonstrates building a cardboard prototype of an interactive toaster (a toaster with a touchscreen that burns user-drawn designs into toast). The demo shows how inexpensive materials can be used to explore size, scale, form, and function before moving to more advanced tools.
Materials
- Cardboard and paper
- Tape and glue
- Cutting tools (utility knife/scalpel)
- Later-stage tools available at Quirky (not used for the initial mockup): 3D printers, CNC machines
Process / workflow
- Sketch the idea first to estimate size, shape, material needs, and approach to cutting/gluing.
- Start with the simplest possible box model: cut six sides and tape them together to test basic form and proportions.
- Make a first model to learn and identify changes.
- Create a refined model using fewer pieces (fewer part breaks = cleaner look).
- Iterate further or move to higher-fidelity techniques/tools as needed.
Techniques and creative solutions
- Scoring: cut just the surface of the cardboard (not all the way through) to create controlled bends and rounded edges.
- Layering/stacking: cut concentric circles that decrease in size and stack them to build a round knob in cardboard.
- Incremental cutting for curves: make several small cuts instead of trying to cut a smooth curve all at once.
- Use cheap, approachable materials to quickly externalize ideas so others can understand and give feedback.
Design and prototyping principles
- Use simple, low-cost prototypes to explore size, scale, and form rapidly.
- Iterate quickly: a rough model reveals needed refinements for later versions.
- Simplify parts where possible to make the model look more refined.
- The goal of prototyping is to communicate an idea clearly and enable informed decisions for refinement.
Creators / contributors
- Andrew Brace (prototyper)
- Quirky (company)
Category
Art and Creativity
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