Administration relating to starting at NYU has taken up a lot of time recently, but yesterday and today I’ve finally been able to set some time aside to sit down and design. I’m glad of that, because I’ve had an idea I’m keen to try out.

This idea happens to involve blocks–lots of them, in various shapes. I don’t have blocks in my home, though, and I wasn’t excited about purchasing them just to test an idea that might not work. So, what to do?

The answer, as always, was: 3×5 cards.

It turns out that 3×5 cards keep their shape when folded, so long as one applies a bit of tape. Furthermore, they don’t have the natural curve that paper does. A 3×5 card folded into a box stays a box, with flat sides suitable for stacking.

I know I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: don’t ever let a lack of prototyping materials stop you from pursuing a design. Prototyping doesn’t have to be complicated, and it certainly doesn’t have to be expensive. Dollar store supplies are plenty for a first run of a new concept.