WHAT WE ARE MAKING

WHY WE ARE MAKING IT

You will start developing prototypes, made quickly, that illustrate a form or idea.

؜To test ideas before using digital fabrication

ACTIVITY MATERIALS

Cardboard

Colored Acetate

Bristol Papers

Zip-ties

Straws

Metal Ruler

Pencil 

Markers 

Cutting Blade

Masking Tape

Hot Glue Gun

String

Brads

Popsicles and wooden skewers

1st

Go to the Resources tab of this activity to learn about quick prototyping. We will start with a short orientation where you’ll practice basic joinery and mechanism techniques before diving into your project prototype.

20mins

2nd

Create a blueprint of your design, a drawing that will help you construct your structure.

At the end you need to have have done the following:

1. Sketched your main design
2. Sketched how your artifact is placed

10mins

Below are some resources you can use to scan your drawings.

1) Scanner app (Genius Scan)

2) Gif maker (GIF Maker by Momento)

https://ezgif.com/maker https://gifmaker.me/

3) Photo editor / Camera app (VSCO or Adobe PS Express) VSCO Link Adobe PS Express : https://www.photopea.com/

3rd

؜Students will work together to create a quick scale model prototype. Use low fidelity materials such as cardboard, paper, tape, and wire for your first prototypes. Remember these are not supposed to ~look good~ but rather be able to explain your concepts and ideas.

example

؜

These models are meant to show your ideas, provide proof-of-concept, and test variations of function. They are not meant to be perfect or final iterations.

120mins

3rd

Document your prototype! Learn how by following the nest slides.

example

10mins

CREATE A STATION

Ensure the entire background is white and that natural light is available. For photographing prototypes, we recommend using a consistent white or black backdrop—paper, sheets, walls, or desks all work well.

Different Angles

Try different angles, top, left, right, close ups... but also try different lighting setups, Camera Settings, and Composition

Clean Images

Make sure all background is white, no edges or other objects in the background

YES

NO

Clean Images

Make sure all background is white, no edges or other objects in the background

QUESTIONS TO ANSWER

Now that you have built it out of cardboard, what would be the best materials and methods for the next prototype?

You have built and tested one possible shape of your project idea. What other shapes could this concept take?

What do you need to learn to create the next, more developed prototype of this concept?