UPCYCLING A BOX

MODIFYING AN OBJECT TO IMPROVE ITS FUNCTIONALITY FOR #DES100

Making a palette lid

I have this box that fits my paints, but it needs a lid!
I decided to make a custom one which suits my needs.

I sketched out some ideas for how to improve the functionality, by adding a lid which doubles as a mixing palette. My key considerations included:

• Material
• Lid Shape
• Border
• Colour

I had to see what I had around, so settled on cutting up the cardboard back cover of an old art book, which was just the right thickness and provided sufficient sturdiness. I will then wrap that in some thick plastic from an old bag. I decided on a rectangular lid, as upon prototyping I discovered that I don’t actually need a handle to slide the lid in and out. Furthermore, this would let me attach the plastic most securely. The border will be made out of masking tape, and the mid-tone colour of the cardboard will be perfect.

I’ve noticed that the box is slightly askew, so I flipped it over and traced around it onto the card to get a lid shape that matched perfectly. Because this will need to be inserted into the grooves on the box, I trimmed away 4mm from each side so that it fits and has room to slide easily.

Next step – Check to see if it fits – it does! I also discovered that I do not need to make a handle as it slides super easily already.

Now to make it into a mixing palette! I cut this thick plastic bag to size, leaving 150mm tabs so that I can tape it in place later.

To tape the plastic, I simply slipped the card into the pouch, pulling the plastic tight before securing it.

I flipped it over and repeated on the other side. 

With the lid covered, I added a second layer of plastic to cover that exposed tape, and secured it with a border of masking tape, so that it can be removed for more palette space. This also acts as a guide so I don’t paint where the lid meets the box.

I traced the lid, and trimmed 5mm extra off each side so that the tape can make contact with both layers.

I cut the tape to size and stuck it down.

I added a layer of plastic to the bottom for ease of cleaning. I secured it with bluetack so that it is removable.

The finished product!

Now that this box has a lid, I can use it when travelling to transport my paints. I like the easy way it slides in and out, and the simple design that doesn’t overcomplicate the user experience.

NEXT TIME