In this project, you will design and construct an original freestanding paper sculpture. Your sculpture will begin with a simple flat material—paper—and be transformed into a three-dimensional form through experimentation, repetition, and construction.

You will create a module, or a repeated unit, and use multiple copies of that module to build your sculpture. The repeated forms may be identical or gradually change in size, shape, direction, or arrangement. Your final sculpture must stand independently and use at least three techniques explored during the Flat to Volume sampler.

Project Requirements

Your final sculpture must:

• Be freestanding
• Be made primarily from paper
• Use a module or repeated unit
• Include at least 3 techniques from the Flat to Volume sampler
• Demonstrate planning and experimentation
• Be structurally stable
• Have an intentional composition from all viewing angles
• Include positive and negative space
• Show craftsmanship and thoughtful construction

Come up with an idea or concept you want to communicate. For example:

• Growth
• Movement
• Expansion
• Connection
• Chaos → Order
• Organic
• Geometric
• Spiral
• Wave
• Explosion
• Balance
• Tension
• Transformation

1. Idea sketches

Create at least 3 different sculpture ideas.

The sketches should show:

• Overall shape
• Repeated module
• How the modules connect
• Where the three techniques will be used
• How the sculpture will stand

Draw more than one view of their favorite idea:

Front view • Side view • Top view

2. Module experiment

Before constructing the final sculpture, students should make a small prototype of their module.

Ask:

• Can one module stand by itself?
• What happens when you repeat it?
• How can the modules connect?
• What happens when the module changes direction, size, or spacing?

You can revise your module before committing to the final sculpture.

3. Create and test module prototypes

Create a few modules and experiment with them.

Plan on explaining which techniques you are going to use, experiment with at least 3.

Finalize plan and begin constructing modules

4. Construction

Focus on structure and stability.

Adjust composition as you work, use repetition, and negative space.

Finish sculpture and solve structural/craftsmanship problems

Final touches, critique, photography.