Tell Me You’re an Electric Car: Cardboard EV Prototype

We started with individual sketches to explore different design directions. We had ideas for a futuristic sports car using cameras instead of mirrors, a classic retro futuristic style, and an SUV concept with a hollow air tunnel in the front for a unique visual effect. Although we had different ideas, the goal was to combine creativity with something visually interesting and a bit unconventional.

As a group, we narrowed down a final concept and established overall dimensions and proportions. One key goal was to include something “weird” or unexpected, which led to replacing the traditional front grill with lights arranged like a sound wave. We also decided to add a golf ball texture to the side panels, giving the car both a unique look and a functional, aerodynamic feature. Early fabrication started with cardboard to mock up the main structure, while planning continued for a laser-cut body panels.

Work progressed through a mix of materials and collaborative effort. Cardboard was used for the main body, while repurposed plastics helped bring in more realistic details for the windshield and lights. The front end depended on a CAD file for laser cutting, so other parts were built in parallel while that was being finalized. The golf ball texture required a lot of time to cut and apply, but added a distinctive finish. Overall, teamwork was strong and everyone contributed across different parts of the build.

In the end, we all came together to complete the model. There was some debate about certain features, like the side texture, but we went with a majority decision and are happy with the result. While there are definitely things we would refine if we did it again, the final product captures our original goal of creating something unique and visually engaging, and it reflects a solid collaborative effort.