Making a Rubix Cube

So, I was able to secure the group 30 6x6x6" boxes to begin to design a Rubix Cube prop for the exhibition.

Helen very kindly took time out of her Saturday to collect the boxes for me. The gentleman at Plan Pack in Wickford was extremely kind and after some talking decided to give me the boxes for free.

He was also very helpful in coming up with ideas for the cube, and also provided some extra cardboard layers and a tube - as he felt it could be a possibility to make 3 seperate layers, stick them to a card, and secure the tube as a pivot in the middle of the structure. This would enable the 3 layers to rotate horizontally.

I will look into this potential idea further in the design process.


First, I bought some black matt paint, PVA and 6 sheets of the coloured card required for the cube (a donation for the benefit of the group).

The boxes are flat packed, so I had to build out the cubes and taped them on the inside. I painted the first text box all black.

It actually looks pretty good when dried. The only issue is that the edges of the box aren't perfect (enough for me) so I will bring in my prototype to get some feedback from the group.



(still drying)




I then made a rounded square template in Photoshop and used it to draw squares on the coloured card, carefully cut out the shapes and then using PVA glue attached them to the black cube.

Here is the first cube I made:









Pro's and Cons: (prototype 1)

The matt paint seems fine. It covered very effectively and consistently. The boxes will definitely need to be taped well from the inside, in order to help the structure and strength.

PVA glue is a little messy, It was hard to get the card squares to stick - but once they did, it's actually quite effective.

As I said the box edges are an issue, there are some spaces. I am now going to make a second prototype using black gaffer tape around the edges of the cube.


Prototype 2:

Another trip to the hardware store... this time I got some rolls of black duct tape, slightly thinner art scalpels and some stronger bonding glue..

I taped the inside of these boxes with gaffer tape. It definitely feels a little sturdier, though tape is a slightly more expensive option.

I then taped around all of the corners of the boxes (didn't paint them at all this time).





I then repeated the process from the previous attempt by cutting out coloured card and this time using the stronger glue.





2 Boxes Together:



Pro's and Con's: (prototype 2)

This took a little longer to make. (Minus the paint drying time). The boxes are sturdier, but I would gaffer the inside of the painted boxes now regardless, which would help .

The thinner knife I bought was better for the corners, though the regular stanley knife cuts better.

I will have to permanent marker the edges of the tape, as there is a little white that shows through.

Both glues work fine - so either - tho the newer is slightly quicker to dry.

Both prototypes were reasonably easy and quick to make.

I will then bring both prototypes to class for Wednesday and see what the group feel is better.