This is an instructable on how to create boxes varying from different sizes and shapes using the Box and Gravit designer program. In the Engineering class, our assignment was to create 3 different boxes for 3 different purposes such as a box specifically meant for the class, a box for a teacher, and a box for home.

Step 1: The Design Process

First off, you want to get an idea of your box's purpose. You can begin by brainstorming and sketching out the design you're mostly leaning for. As you can see from the image, I not only designed one box, I added an extra element, serving its purpose as a paperclip box for a teacher on campus to use.

Step 2: Box Designer

After the designing process and determining your final design, you want to insert your box's dimensions into Boxdesigner.com and 0.257 being your material thickness. Keep in mind you want to save this as an SVG file. If for any reason you want to add any extra elements such as slanting your boxes or engraving words Gravit designer will become useful for that specific reason.

Step 3: Gravit Designer

Next, your design has to be transitioned from Box designer to gravitdesigner.com, this can be done by making a free account on the website. After making your Gravit designer account, you will make a new file using your box design by clicking on the "Open from Computer" option. From there you will click on your personalized box. My box did not necessarily have extra elements added in, except for the fact that my box will include a rectangular hole embedded into the top of the box.

Step 4: Extra Gravit Designer Elements

If you're planning to make a box with no circles or rectangles to be cut out skip to the next step. My box design was originally set to have a rectangular cut out at the top of the box

Step 5: Transitioning to the Laser Cutter

After saving the Gravit designer SVG file, you will transition into converting it to an AI. (Instructions provided by Mr. Smith). Once all files have been converted, you will save these files into a flash drive. These files saved into the flash drive will later be helpful for Laser-cutting. (Instructions for using the Laser-cutter will be provided by the maker-space)

Step 6: Assemble, Glue & Sand Down

After you have transferred all of your files into the laser cutter and followed all of the provided steps, you will have successfully created your pieces. You will then assemble all of your pieces together if the pieces work out fine proceed to use wood glue to attach each individual fitting piece together: while all pieces are attached do as I did with my box and wrap masking tape around it (drying could take about a day or so). After pieces have completely glued together it is time to sand down (if needed) my box however, I did need sanding so I sanded until all sides were completely flat

Step 7: Extra (Artsy Elements)

I proceeded to write "Howard's Clips" in calligraphy and used masking tape around my box to help create fine lines (as triangles) with acrylic paint. I used 4 different shades of acrylic color and 1 of them being white. I painted on top of each blank triangle (with no tape) Though adding special such as mine are not necessary, I chose to go on this route to make my design aesthetically pleasing to look at

Step 8: Untape and Spray Paint

After the acrylic paint eventually dried up, I untaped the masking tape from the box and it revealed a variety of shades of triangles at they all fit very well together, at this point the box was looking aesthetically pleasing to look at so, therefore, I was pretty satisfied. The next step for me was to spray paint. In order to do this, you will have to find a place outside to place your box. Depending on the forecast you will have to find a comfortable place to spray paint. I had to stand at least 1 foot apart from my box and carefully spray and coat my box from each side. My box was not too big therefore, I was done in a matter of minutes. After this, I left the box outside to air dry.

Step 9: The Final Result

Lastly, after waiting for two days to pick my design up from drying. I was extremely satisfied with how it turned out. One, the art element added to it was an extremely nice piece I liked, the calligraphy added was also a nice touch to the box. I made something extremely basic into an amazing final result