For a class project, students researched flat pack product design. Flat pact product design is used to build furniture that can be easily taken apart and stored with a minimal amount of space when not in use. Ikea is famous for its use of flat pack product design. Based on the "Being Green" concept, students used recyclable cardboard to make costumes for middle-school aged children. Students split into groups of 4-6, and chose a theme. The horseshoe crab belongs to the shelled marine life group.
Design Brief:
My group was required to make six separate costumes, because there are six people in our group. We have chosen the theme of Shelled Marine Animals, such as horseshoe crabs, clams, and turtles. My costume is a horseshoe crab. I am required to make this using flat pack product design with cardboard.
Specifications:
1. Marine Theme
2. Easily assembled
3. Minimal parts
4. Safe and easy to wear while moving.
Limits:
1. Cardboard ONLY
2. Slotted construction- no tape.
Supply list
ITEM MATERIAL QTY
S1 Cardboard 3x7 ft
Tools and Equipment list
ITEM TOOL USE
T1 CUTTING MAT Protecting the floor, table, or other cutting surface
T2 UTILITY KNIFE Cutting out pieces of thick cardboard
T3 RULER Measuring piece size requirements
T4 PENCIL Tracing cut-out onto cardboard
Part List
ITEM QTY PART NAME
P1 1 Base
P2 2 Wings
P3 2 Straps
P4 1 Tail
See Large orthographic drawing here for all measurements.
**note, wings can be slotted in on either side, depending on preference.
Design Brief:
My group was required to make six separate costumes, because there are six people in our group. We have chosen the theme of Shelled Marine Animals, such as horseshoe crabs, clams, and turtles. My costume is a horseshoe crab. I am required to make this using flat pack product design with cardboard.
Specifications:
1. Marine Theme
2. Easily assembled
3. Minimal parts
4. Safe and easy to wear while moving.
Limits:
1. Cardboard ONLY
2. Slotted construction- no tape.
Supply list
ITEM MATERIAL QTY
S1 Cardboard 3x7 ft
Tools and Equipment list
ITEM TOOL USE
T1 CUTTING MAT Protecting the floor, table, or other cutting surface
T2 UTILITY KNIFE Cutting out pieces of thick cardboard
T3 RULER Measuring piece size requirements
T4 PENCIL Tracing cut-out onto cardboard
Part List
ITEM QTY PART NAME
P1 1 Base
P2 2 Wings
P3 2 Straps
P4 1 Tail
See Large orthographic drawing here for all measurements.
**note, wings can be slotted in on either side, depending on preference.
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Signing UpStep 1: Assembling Part 1: Base
1. Trace the shape of the piece using a ruler(T3) and a pencil(T4) onto cardboard(S1)
2. Carefully cut out the shape with a utility knife(T2). Make sure a cutting mat(T1) is underneath the spot where you are cutting!
3. Gently pop the base out of the cardboard.
4. At the top of the base, using a ruler(T3), measure two inches down from the center. Mark it with a pencil(T4)
5. Using a ruler(T3), measure an inch and a half on either side of the mark you made in step 4. Mark these spots with a pencil(T4)
6. From the marks you made in step 5, using a ruler(T3), measure down three inches, and mark with a pencil(T4). Connect the two points on either side with a line. This will create a slot for (P2).
7. Cut along the line you just made with a utility knife(T2). Again, make sure a cutting mat(T1) is underneath the spot where you are cutting.
8. Turn the base around and repeat this process on the lower half.
9. Using a ruler(T3), measure one inch in from where the slanted segment of the base meets the straight edge. Mark with a pencil(T4)
10. From the point you just marked, use a ruler(T3) to measure two inches down. Mark with a pencil(T4)
11. From the point you just marked, use a ruler(T3) to measure three inches towards the center. Mark with a pencil (T4). Connect This point to the point marked in step 10.
12. Cut along this line using a utility knife(T2)
13. Repeat steps 9-12 on the other side and bottom of the base.
14. On the bottom of the base, use a ruler(T3) to measure one inch down from the vertical slits made in steps 4-7.
15. Draw a line using a pencil(T4) three inches long, centered on the bottom of the base.
16. Cut along this line using a utility knife(T2).
2. Carefully cut out the shape with a utility knife(T2). Make sure a cutting mat(T1) is underneath the spot where you are cutting!
3. Gently pop the base out of the cardboard.
4. At the top of the base, using a ruler(T3), measure two inches down from the center. Mark it with a pencil(T4)
5. Using a ruler(T3), measure an inch and a half on either side of the mark you made in step 4. Mark these spots with a pencil(T4)
6. From the marks you made in step 5, using a ruler(T3), measure down three inches, and mark with a pencil(T4). Connect the two points on either side with a line. This will create a slot for (P2).
7. Cut along the line you just made with a utility knife(T2). Again, make sure a cutting mat(T1) is underneath the spot where you are cutting.
8. Turn the base around and repeat this process on the lower half.
9. Using a ruler(T3), measure one inch in from where the slanted segment of the base meets the straight edge. Mark with a pencil(T4)
10. From the point you just marked, use a ruler(T3) to measure two inches down. Mark with a pencil(T4)
11. From the point you just marked, use a ruler(T3) to measure three inches towards the center. Mark with a pencil (T4). Connect This point to the point marked in step 10.
12. Cut along this line using a utility knife(T2)
13. Repeat steps 9-12 on the other side and bottom of the base.
14. On the bottom of the base, use a ruler(T3) to measure one inch down from the vertical slits made in steps 4-7.
15. Draw a line using a pencil(T4) three inches long, centered on the bottom of the base.
16. Cut along this line using a utility knife(T2).
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