Diorama Box

We made a diorama showing a fallen angel being cast out of heaven and falling into the void. The main focus of the project is the box itself, which represents the space between heaven above and the darkness below. The structure and lighting of the box are meant to create depth and make the fall feel endless. The figure is included only to help tell the story, while the box and its design are what really bring the scene to life and make the moment feel dramatic and powerful.

You'll Need:

Materials:

1. Three wooden boards, each measuring at least 12 × 9 inches with a thickness of 0.25 inches.
2. One wooden board, measuring at least 11 × 12.5 inches with a thickness of 0.225 inches.
3. One piece of acrylic, measuring at least 28 x 13 inches with a thickness of 0.125 inches.
4. Laser Cutter capable of cutting a wooden board with the size of at least 30 x 15 inches.
5. Black Quick Color Spray Paint
6. Gray Quick Color Spray Paint
7. White Quick Color Spray Paint
8. Wood Glue
9. Two 1 x 1 inch wooden block with a height of 12 inches.
10. Six 18 Gauge 1/2 Inch Finish Screws
11. Submersible LED light
12. Three Triple-A Batteries
13. Any Figure of Your Choice (Optional)
14. Tape (Optional)

Tools:

1. Heat Gun
2. Nail Gun
3. Dry Erase Marker (Optional)
4. Power Drill
5. Screwdriving

Use the four provided files to laser-cut the components as follows: BasePartBottomVariationTwo.pdf, RoofLaserut.pdf, and BasePartTop.pdf should be cut from the three 12 × 9 inch wooden boards; BaseSideWall.pdf should be cut from the 11 × 12.5 inch wooden board; and AcrylicSheet.pdf should be used to laser-cut the acrylic sheet.

Use black, gray, and white spray paint to create a smooth gradient on the back board, transitioning from white to black. Hold the spray can at a 45-degree angle and apply the paint using light, smooth back-and-forth motions to ensure an even blend. Once the gradient is complete, spray paint both bottom boards a solid black for a clean, finished look.

Apply wood glue to the surface of the smaller board in a B-shaped pattern, with the open side of the “B” facing toward you. Carefully align the three holes on both boards, then press the glued side of the smaller bottom board firmly onto the larger bottom board. Check that all edges and holes are properly aligned, then allow the glue to set undisturbed for 24 hours.

Apply wood glue to the roof piece with the smaller hole, then carefully align it with the roof piece attached to the larger board. Press the pieces together firmly to ensure a secure bond, and allow the glue to dry undisturbed for 24 hours.

Coat both bottom boards evenly with black spray paint, making sure to cover all exposed surfaces.

Spray paint the roof board entirely gray, covering both the top and bottom surfaces.

Spray-paint both wooden pillars entirely black, ensuring full and even coverage on all sides, except for one.

After the two bottom boards are glued together, attach the back board to the flat side of the bottom assembly (the side without the rounded edges). Apply wood glue to both contact surfaces, then carefully position the back board so it sits flush and upright. Once aligned, secure the back board to the bottom board using a nail gun so the structure can stand on its own. Allow the glue to dry for 24 hours.

Align the acrylic sheet with the rounded edges of the board. Using a dry-erase marker, mark the areas where the acrylic needs to bend. Apply heat evenly with a heat gun along the marked sections until the acrylic becomes flexible, then carefully bend it to match the curve of the edges. Repeat this process on both sides.

Nail gun the two wooden pillars to the outer sides of the back board, one on each side.

Begin by placing the bent acrylic flat against the base of the diorama. Once everything is aligned, hold the power drill at the exact spot where you want to create the first mounting hole in the acrylic. Before drilling, carefully shift both the acrylic and the drill away from the wooden pillars. This ensures that the drill bit will pass only through the acrylic and not into the pillars. With the drill properly positioned, slowly drill a hole through the acrylic using light pressure. Repeat this until you have 2 holes on both sides on the acrylic.

Drive the screws into the wood using a screwdriver, inserting them through the holes that were drilled earlier.

Place the action figure of your choice inside the diorama, then tape the figure’s base securely to the diorama’s base. We decided to put a Gundam inside.

Use a power drill to create holes in the roof that line up with the two wooden pillars. Make sure the side facing outward is the side with the larger hole, then insert and tighten the screws to secure the roof in place.

Insert the AAA batteries into the LED light, then place the light into the hole in the roof.