Lesson video

Hello, everyone.

How are you today? I hope you're feeling good, and I'm so pleased that you're here.

My name is Ms. Afzal, and I'll be your art teacher for this lesson.

I'm feeling very good about that because I'm interested in our subject matter.

We are gonna be looking at using cardboard to make some art.

Our lesson is called 3D Design: building with cardboard, and it comes from the unit of work Foundation Workshops: an introduction to the areas of study.

So I wonder if you have much experience working with cardboard or if this is gonna be new for you.

Whatever is the case, I hope you're ready with some focus, energy, and enthusiasm, and if you are, we'll begin our lesson.

The outcome for today's lesson is I can cut, shape, and build 3D forms with cardboard using folding, layering, and rolling techniques.

We have some keywords in our lesson.

Let's go through them.

Construction, relief, and form.

What do these keywords mean? Well, construction is the method of building or assembling parts to form a 3D structure.

Relief, a sculptural technique where raised elements are built up from a flat surface.

And form, the shape and structure of a 3D object, including its volume and mass.

These are our keywords, construction, relief, and form.

Let's look out for them.

Let's listen out for them.

They'll be coming up in our lesson today.

Our lesson is called 3D Design: building with cardboard, and it has two learning cycles, cutting, folding, and shaping techniques, and then building structures.

Oh, can't wait to get onto that.

Let's begin with cutting, folding, and shaping techniques.

And let's zip ahead to the end of the lesson and have a look at what some outcomes for this lesson may look like.

Pause here while you take these in.

And now let's move on to our lesson.

What material can be used to create sculptures that are both light and very strong? Pause here and see if you can guess what's the material.

Let's hear from Lucas.

"Paper and cardboard can be easily shaped into different forms to create 3D pieces." And Sofia, "They can be used to create solid, strong constructions and ones that are fluid and light." I wonder if you came up with these materials.

Card and its use in 3D sculpture.

Card and paper come in lots of different forms and can be found and recycled or reused to create artwork and sculptures.

Many artists use card to experiment and explore their ideas, creating scale models or maquettes before creating large-scale 3D pieces.

Some artists use card to create their finished 3D work, using the different qualities and textures to add further depth and meaning to their work.

Let's take a look at some artists who use card in their work, focusing on form and techniques.

Kambel Smith builds-large scale architectural forms entirely from cardboard.

He cuts, folds, and layers pieces to create intricate details.

His models combine precise engineering with imaginative interpretation, showing how cardboard can be transformed into complex structures.

Halima Cassell explores complex geometric and origami-inspired forms. By scoring, folding, and interlocking pieces, she creates strong angular shapes with repeating patterns.

Her designs combine structural strength with decorative architectural qualities.

Let's have a check for understanding.

True or false.

Artists only use cardboard to make maquettes for larger-scale sculptures.

Pause here and decide, is this true or false? Well done if you selected false.

And now I'd like you to say a little more about your answer.

Pause here while you do this.

Perhaps you said something like this.

Cardboard can be used to explore and experiment with different ideas for sculptures, but it can also be used as the final building material.

Aisha and Jacob are discussing the construction strength of cardboard.

"Some designers have used cardboard to create furniture." "Cardboard is too weak to build a strong structure." Thanks, Aisha.

"Cardboard can become structurally strong when it is layered, folded, or rolled." Let's have a check for understanding.

True or false.

Cardboard is too weak to create large 3D sculptures.

Pause here and decide, is this true or false? Well done if you selected false.

And now I'd like you to say a little more about your answer.

Pause here while you do this.

Perhaps you said something like this.

When cardboard is layered, rolled, or folded, its strength increases.

Artists and architects have built furniture, installations, and even buildings from it.

When we are cutting card, we need to remember to stay safe, so here are some important considerations.

Always use a cutting mat.

Cut away from your body and keep fingers clear.

Use a sharp blade, dull blades slip more easily.

Store knives with the blades covered or retracted.

If cutting straight lines, use a steel ruler and keep fingers clear.

Always carry scissors closed, pointing down.

Use the right size for the material.

Cut shapes can then be joined together to create 3D forms. Cut out card rectangles.

Cut a slot into the top layer cardboard of one, glue the second piece into the slot, and cut slots into each of the pieces and slot together.

There are a number of different ways of forming card.

This includes scored folding, bending, and rolled cylinders.

These different methods can be used to shape and form card to create interesting different constructions and sculptures.

So we can see some folding there on the left, some scoring, and some rolling.

Let's go into each of these.

Scored folding.

To create a score and folded form, think about the shape to create.

Cut a piece of thin card.

Start off with simple parallel lines, marked lightly with pencil.

Using the back of the knife and a steel ruler, gently score along the line.

Fold to create the form.

Folding in opposite directions creates the zigzag form.

Bending.

To create a bended form with thin card, you can gently bend it in your hand or roll it around a circular object like a pencil, wooden handle, or a rolling pin, depending on the size of the curve needed.

Some great examples there.

To create a bent form on thicker card, the inside surface may need to be scored with a craft knife to help it curve.

Use a pencil or rolling pin to get an even curve.

So scoring with a craft knife and then rolling around a pencil.

Rolled cylinders.

To create a rolled cylinder, a rectangle of thin card or paper is cut.

Glue applied along one end.

Rolled tightly from the other.

It's important that it is rolled tight so that it creates structural strength.

You can use the pencil to roll it around to help get it tight.

These can then be glued together to construct a sculptural form.

Layered forms. A layered form is created by cutting strips of card.

These are then glued on top of each other to create a three-dimensional form.

Different forms can be created by changing the shape and size of the individual pieces, how they're glued together, how much overlap, where they are layered together.

And now it's time for your first task.

I would like you to explore and experiment with the different cardboard construction techniques.

Create a cardboard construction technique sampler using the different methods.

It should include cutting shapes, bended or folded forms, layered profile, rolled forms. These can be labelled in your sketchbook or on paper with notes.

So pause here while you have a go at this task of exploring and experimenting with the different cardboard construction techniques.

I'll see you when you're finished.

It's good to be back with you.

How did you get on with that task of exploring and experimenting with the different cardboard construction techniques? Your experiments may look something like this.

Oh my, aren't these fabulous? Well done, Izzy.

"The curved fold was a bit tricky to do, but it has created something very unusual.

I used the edge of a jar lid to score the card and create the curved form." Some more really interesting samplers here is Alex.

"I've created some interesting constructions with the folded card.

It was hard to get the folds really sharp.

I used the back of my ruler to press it hard." I hope you enjoyed your task.

And now we're onto our next learning cycle, building structures.

Surface texture finishes.

Artists will often use the textural properties of cardboard to enhance the surface of their 3D sculptures or reliefs.

Relief is a type of sculpture where shapes or forms are raised from a flat surface, creating depth and texture without being fully 3D.

Surface texture and relief.

Cardboard can be cut, layered, or torn to reveal its corrugated core, creating rich surface textures.

Rolling, folding, and scoring cardboard produces sharp lines or smooth curves that change how the light interacts with the surface.

Layering pieces of cardboard builds depth, while varied profiles create tactile relief surfaces.

Worn, recycled, or printed cardboard carries its own history and markings, adding texture and meaning to a sculpture.

The surface of cardboard can shift from rough and industrial to refined and patent, depending on how it is treated.

Examples of surface decoration, texture, and relief.

Texture can be added as the 3D piece parts are being made or after the main construction has happened.

Layers of the card can be peeled apart, revealing the texture of the corrugation.

Shapes can be cut and formed by folding and bending, then added to the surface of the sculpture to create texture.

Pause here and share with someone your impressions of these works that we can see on the screen.

Thanks for sharing.

Artists often use the textural qualities of cardboard in the finish of their sculptures.

Julie Dodd often works with recycled cardboard to create intricate sculptures inspired by nature.

She cuts, layers, and arranges card to mimic textures found in nature.

By repeating small shapes and building them into larger forms, she transforms flat card into richly patterned surfaces.

Mark Langan creates intricate cardboard sculptures by cutting, layering, and folding corrugated cardboard into detailed reliefs.

He often repeats shapes to build depth and texture, turning simple materials into complex architectural forms. These are just some of the artists using the textual qualities of cardboard in the finish of their sculptures.

Let's have a check for understanding.

True or false.

Surface decoration should be added after the sculpture is built.

Pause here and decide, is this true or false? Well done if you selected false.

And now I'd like you to say a little more about your answer.

Pause here while you do this.

Perhaps you said something like this.

Some effects, like scoring patterns or embossing, are easier before assembly, others work best after.

Planning when to add them matters.

Artists will take influence for their design from a range of different sources.

The human-made environment can inspire artists.

Pause here and share with someone which of these constructions are you most inspired by.

Thanks for sharing.

I find them all fascinating.

I am particularly drawn to cranes.

Artists will take influence for their design from a range of different sources.

Nature and the natural world can be a big influence on artists.

Artists can also be influenced by personal experiences, everyday life, experimentation, and other artists' work.

Pause here and share which of these three images from nature are you most inspired by.

Thanks for sharing.

So hard to choose, they're all so enticing, but I think the colours of the leaves and the pattern on the bark of those trees is really calling me.

Planning ideas.

It's really important to begin with a sketch.

This is a really good way that artists use to explore their initial ideas for a piece of art.

Artists and designers think about the inspiration for their designs.

They might write down their ideas in a mind map or notes.

They will then begin to sketch out their initial ideas.

Then experiment with construction methods, exploring relief and form.

Let's have a check for understanding.

True or false.

You don't need to plan before building a cardboard sculpture.

Pause here and decide, is this true or false? Well done if you selected false.

And now I'd like you to say a little more about your answer.

Pause here while you do this.

Perhaps you said something like this.

Planning helps you choose the best construction methods, shapes, and joins.

A quick sketch or model saves time, reduces waste, and improves the final structure.

And now it's time for your next task.

I would like you to construct a 3D form.

Create a small 3D form.

This can be freestanding or relief, using at least two different construction techniques, stacked layers, rolled elements, angular folding.

Themes to choose from, abstract sculpture, architecture, tower or shelter, nature, rock form, seed pod, et cetera.

Remember, you can combine techniques.

Think about form and surface finish.

Sketch ideas first.

So pause here while you have a go at this task of constructing your own 3D form, using at least two of the different construction techniques.

Enjoy your task, and I'll see you when you're finished.

It's great to be back with you.

How did you get on with constructing a 3D form? Your response may have looked like this, a wonderful sketch and a finished piece.

Here's another.

And one more.

Well done for having a go at this part of your task.

Next, I would like you to reflect on your work.

Consider the following questions when reflecting on your work.

You could make notes in your sketchbook alongside a photograph of your construction or talk about it with a partner.

How did I manipulate the material to create a different form or relief? What construction technique was the most effective? How might I develop this idea further? So pause here while you have a go at this next stage of your task, reflecting on your work.

I'll see you when you're finished.

It's good to be back with you.

How did you get on with reflecting on your work? You may have said something like this.

Here's Andeep.

"I wanted my sculpture to look like falling leaves, similar to the work of Julie Dodd.

I've suspended them around a thin tube and arranged them at different angles to look more natural.

I think to improve design, I should have added more detail to the leaves." That's a good point.

I can see how that would take this a little further.

You may have said something like this.

Here's Laura.

"I used card tubes to create my design.

Some I rolled myself, and some I found and reused.

It was very tricky making the circular design on a small scale with the size of tubes I made, so I changed my design, taking inspiration from the work of Halima Cassell." And one more example, let's hear from Jun.

"I've used circular discs that gradually get smaller and glued them on top of each other to create my 3D form.

I needed to have cut more to create the shape in my design idea drawing.

Ideally, I would've liked a clever cut on the edges of the card to see more of the texture of the inside of the card, like the work of Mark Langan." Pause here and share with somebody else your final piece of work but not your sketch, and see if your partner can work out what your inspiration was for your final piece.

Pause here while you do this.

Thanks for having a go at that.

In our lesson 3D Design: building with cardboard, we've covered the following.

Construction techniques can be used to turn flat cardboard into 3D forms. Cutting with knives or scissors creates precise shapes.

Folding and bending adds curves or angles.

Rolling strips form cylinders.

Stacking layers builds relief, adding depth and texture.

Each layer can have a different profile.

Cardboard becomes stronger when folded, rolled, or layered.

These methods are used by artists to create both decorative and structural designs.

Well done, everyone, for joining in with this lesson.

It was great to have a go at designing and building with cardboard.

I like the way you had a go at creating your samples, using all those different construction techniques, and then taking inspiration from structures or nature and then coming up with your final creation.

I hope you're feeling proud of what you've created.

I'm very proud of you, and I've really enjoyed this lesson.

I hope you have too.

I look forward to seeing you at another art lesson soon.

Until then, stay creative.