Illustration pen pal: anglerfish box

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 My Griffin and Sabine pen pal sent me the first book to read, and this is the box I made to return it.

photo of anglerfish; silver and gold lines on black paper, the lure is an illuminated amber-colored LED




The box design went through several rounds of changes and it didn't end up perfect, but overall I am very happy with it This is the first time I've used a magnetic switch – the light only turns on when the lid is opened.

concept sketch, shows rough 3-D box and first draft of anglerfish drawing
Concept sketch

photo of unfolded box schematic with measurements

first attempt at box assembly in paper
First try

first try at box, paper, folded into shape

second version of box, still paper
Second try

second draft of box, folded

photo of third box design on cardboard
Third try, bottom half

bottom half of cardboard box folded into shape

third try at cardboard box, top half; pattern laid on top of cardboard
Third try, top half

photo of top half of cardboard box, cut out but unfolded

photo of pencil drawing of anglerfish on black paper
Pencil drawing

photo of laptop and monitor showing reference photos, sketchbook and final drawing in progress in the foreground
References are helpful!

photo of final anglerfish drawing, silver and gold pen and marker on black paper
Gel pen and marker on black paper looks GOOD

photo of soldering setup to hook up LED to battery and switch
Attaching the LED to the battery and switch

photo of inside top of cardboard box with spacers to allow room for the battery and light without being crushed

photo of inside of assembled cardboard box with light and switch installed; light is on when the lid is open
There is a magnet in the bottom front edge of the box;
when the switch at the top center gets close to it,
the light turns off

photo of assembled cardboard box with light and anglerfish drawing, the LED appears at the end of the fish's lure
Ready!

photo of cardboard box closed, a pull ribbon was added to make opening easy. Seaweed and bubbles have been drawn on the black ribbon in silver marker
Finishing touches added


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