CARBOARD
PROJECT OVERVIEW
CarBoard is a transforming car and truck 2-in-1 that promotes customizability and sustainability through repurposing shipping boxes to create toys. Designed for play, CarBoard can roll on its wheels, transform from a car to a truck with increased storage, and customize the removable wheel caps.
TIMELNE
5 Weeks
February–March 2024
TOOLS
Cardboard Prototyping
Adobe Illustrator
Sketching
Ideation
MIND MAPPING
The initial research started with a mind map of cardboard toy ideas. I started off with various brands that I could see using a cardboard box as a way to promote play. I then expanded on each brand and ideated toys that I quickly sketched out.
PROTOTYPING ROUND #1
To start prototyping, I chose the three ideas I liked the most from my mind map. Using standard corrugated cardboard and masking tape, the three prototypes I made were rough proof of concepts.
PROTOTYPING ROUND #2
For the Round #2 of prototyping I expanded on my ideas from Round #1 by taking certain play features and developing them further. With critique and further brainstorming I decided on Concept 3 because of its uniqueness and play potential.
Iteration
ITERATION ROUND 1
Having chosen the Car/Truck 2-in-1, I decided to iterate further on the idea with some more cardboard prototypes. I mainly focused on how I could improve the wheels and how the compartment could open.
I kept a similar wheel design but used a rubber band to provide extra grip. I also experimented with a spoiler design to make the toy feel more playful.
I used a different wheel design due to the ease of construction but found it to not be great for actual play. I also tried a different sliding design for the cabin which used the truck bed rails to slide on. However, this also didn't work as well as the initial design. I did find that having another slope on the front of the hood made the overall shape nicer.
ITERATION ROUND 2
My three main takeaways from Iteration Round 1 were:
Use slots across the hood for the sliding mechanism.
Incorporate rubber bands on the wheels for more grip.
Give the main body some more dimension with chamfers.
I used all three takeaways in this design but tried a rear bumper design. I found it to be redundant and only added to the complexity of assembly.
I tried a body design with fillets instead of chamfers but also found it to be unnecessarily complex to assemble. I also tried a swappable spoiler play feature which I would end up changing to the swappable wheels in the final.
FINAL MOCKUP
I imagined CarBoard to be made by O'Reilly Auto Parts to promote their commitment to DIY and customizability by encouraging parents and children to transform and repurpose their shipping boxes into a car/truck 2-in-1.
CARDBOARD NET
