How to Stack Playing Cards | WIRED

WIRED・2 minutes read

Brian Berg demonstrates building an eight-foot-tall spaceship out of cards using good design principles, starting with a strong foundation of squares and right angles. To build sturdy and complex card houses, create a basic box structure, transition to a grid formation, and reinforce the design with multiple cards for durability on a stable tabletop.

Insights

  • Brian Berg emphasizes the importance of good design in building card structures, highlighting the use of hands as tools and starting with squares and right angles for a sturdy foundation.
  • To ensure successful card building, it is crucial to choose the right environment, such as a normal tabletop, and follow a structured process of creating a box structure, transitioning to a grid formation, and reinforcing with multiple cards for durability.

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Recent questions

  • How did Brian Berg build an eight-foot-tall spaceship out of cards?

    Brian Berg built an eight-foot-tall spaceship out of cards by focusing on good design, utilizing his hands as tools, and starting with squares and right angles for a sturdy foundation.

  • What are some tips to avoid issues when building card structures?

    To avoid issues when building card structures, it is recommended not to attempt card building on shag carpet, glass, outdoors, in front of a fan, or in a moving vehicle. Instead, it is advised to use a normal tabletop for stability and ease of construction.

  • What are the key steps to constructing strong and intricate card houses?

    The key steps to constructing strong and intricate card houses involve creating a fundamental box structure with cards at halfway points, progressing to a grid formation, and adding a dome effect to the roof. Additionally, reinforcing the structure with multiple cards enhances durability and stability.

  • How can one use hands effectively when building card structures?

    When building card structures, using hands effectively involves treating them as tools to manipulate the cards into desired shapes and positions. By carefully handling the cards and applying pressure strategically, one can create intricate designs and sturdy foundations for the structure.

  • What is the importance of starting with squares and right angles in card construction?

    Starting with squares and right angles in card construction is crucial as it provides a strong foundation for the structure. By ensuring that the initial shapes are precise and aligned correctly, the overall stability and integrity of the card house are enhanced, allowing for more intricate and elaborate designs to be built upon this solid base.

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Summary

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"Building Card Spaceships: Design Basics and Tips"

  • Brian Berg built an eight-foot-tall spaceship out of cards solely based on good design, showcasing the basics of using hands as tools and starting with squares and right angles for a sturdy foundation.
  • To avoid issues, don't attempt card building on shag carpet, glass, outdoors, in front of a fan, or in a moving vehicle; instead, use a normal tabletop.
  • By creating a fundamental box structure with cards at halfway points, progressing to a grid formation, and adding a dome effect to the roof, you can construct strong and intricate card houses, reinforcing them with multiple cards for durability.
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