Low-Fidelity Prototyping
ACTIVITY MATERIALS
- Sturdy material for the 3D sculpture (thin cardboard, 180g paper).
- Cutting tools (scissors, craft knife, etc.)
- Ruler and pencil for measurements.
- Glue/tape (glue gun or craft glue)
- Rubber bands, zip tie, brads
- Popsicles and white string
Cutting
Straight
Use gloves when cutting!
Cutting
Curves
CARDBOARD TECHNIQUES: SHAPING
Bending
Scoring
Curving
Faceting
Layering
Hinging
CARDBOARD TECHNIQUES: JOINERY
Brads
Flanges
Brace
Skewer
Bend
Hinge
Slots
Butt Joint
CARDBOARD TECHNIQUES: Mechanism
Gears
Scissor lift
Grabbing
Waving
Tentacle
Curving
Lever
Fanning
Gather the materials you’ll need to make a quick, low-fidelity prototype of your invention. These can be anything around you—paper, cardboard, tape, string, recycled objects, etc.
1st
Build a small-scale prototype of your invention. It doesn’t have to be perfect—just enough to explore the idea physically.
2nd
5th
Document & Reflect: Take photos of the simulated limitations and the prototype. Describe the limitations simulated, tasks explored, and design process.
10min
Observe & Reflect. Look at your prototype and ask: What works well?
What looks awkward or confusing?How could it be improved?
3rd
15 min
60 min
20 min
Draw a clear, detailed diagram of your invention. Show both the outside and how it works inside. Label the parts so someone else could understand.
4th
30 min
5th
Submit photos of your prototype and sketches
15 min
Sketch + Low-Fidelity Prototype
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 form of this device. What other forms could this concept take?
What do you need to learn to create the next, more developed prototype of this concept?
How are you employing your chosen Engineering field?
Prototyping
In this activity you will build simple early prototypes. This is an opportunity to test out design shapes, sizes, and techniques of making.