Polyhedral Models

Various collections of polyhedral models culled from online sources

I used to have a shelf filled with polychrome, polyhedral models, similar to the collections pictured above. My interest in making multi-color polyhedra was connected to minimal art and the idea of reducing color and form to logical fundamentals. To other artists with minimalist sympathies, however, my growing collection of models did not appear minimal at all. Minimalism was cool and understated. (The art gallery as a white box.) My polyhedral models, on the other hand, were kind of nerdy and sci-fi. They looked horrifyingly complex—the opposite of minimal! I knew how they felt, but I couldn’t help it. I was fascinated by the surprising symmetry of these forms. Still, I had to admit: they did look sort of alien…

Recently I’ve been thinking about those models and how they relate to packaging and paperboard box construction. To the extent that products strive for packaging that “cuts through the clutter” and stands out from others in their category—looking a little alien might be a very good way of doing that.

(more after the jump)

polyhedral nets for “stella octangula” on left and “cuboctahedron” on right

In the world of polyhedral models, the plan for constructing a polyhedron is called a net. In packaging, a plan for constructing a folded box is called a dieline.
Nets and dielines are pretty much the same thing. (The big difference
being, that the plan for a functional retail box must also take into account
construction of tucks and flaps so that the package will have a means
of opening.)

dieline for a box with locking tab and handle

Randy Ludacer
Beach Packaging Design