Evaluate an Existing Box

Why this Task is Useful

By evaluating an existing box you can get ideas about how you should make your own box and about the sorts of features your box could have i.e. a hinged lid

Start by drawing a box you might have at home. Alternatively, you could cut and paste a picture of a box from a catalogue, or you could scan it. If none of these is possible, you could use the box below.

Click to view the full resolution image

Alternatively, you could visit a site that makes and sells different kinds of boxes. Click on these boxes to visit the places where they were made:

Once this is done you need to evaluate all aspects of the box. Some of the questions you might ask yourself are:

• What does it hold?
  
• How much does it cost?
  
• What materials is it made from?
  
• What type of lid? Are there other types?
  
• Is the material finished? i.e. varnished, painted etc
  
• Does it do what it is supposed to do?
  
• Is it a good design? Why?
  
• How are the materials joined together?
  
• How id it made?
  
• Is it attractive? Why?
  
• Is it strong? Why?
  
• How is the lid held closed?
  
• Why is it this size and not bigger or smaller?
  

Further Exercise
Evaluate an Ancient Egyptian Box

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