Compared to digital constructions, there is a higher cost to starting over with physical work. But there are materials you can choose where it's much lower-stakes, and I've been having fun assembling a set of them:
- Cardboard: a standby of prototyping, easily cut, surprisingly sturdy, readily available from shipping boxes, if cardboard wasn't so ubiquitous it would be a lot more appreciated. I at least do a first version on most things in cardboard, and often it lasts long enough that it stays cardboard. Goes great with hot glue but usually I just use tape.
- Masking tape: good for cardboard, good for taping up inspiration, good for writing on with sharpie.
- Air-drying clay: this a new one. I've made some keyboard palm rests, a new housing for a wireless phone charger, and a holder for a set of cards. Not as nice looking as fired clay, it's still wonderful to be able to sit down with an idea and rough it out in 15 minutes. Clay gives you shapes cardboard and wood aren't friendly too.
