Diorama Ideas

Diorama Ideas

This is a tutorial on how to make a creative shoebox diorama. The tutorial shows you step by step how to make the diorama and I have included all the artwork so you can download, print, cut-out, and use them in your diorama. But you can also create your own diorama based on your ideas. This pages is a listing of ideas on dioramas and how to generate great ideas and themes. Creativity and imagination are the key to making a unique and wonderful diorama.

Before Beginning your shoebox diorama - some things to think about

Its a three dimensional work - A shoebox diorama is a complete world and it is three dimensional. This is one of the appeals of a shoebox diorama. When you are designing and making it keep in mind that it is not a flat piece of art. It is three dimensional. Don't be afraid to take up all the space from front to back. This adds a level of excitement to it.

It should tell a story - A shoebox diorama is not just a pretty scene. You should try to take it to another level and create a story with it. Picture in your mind one particular moment in time in the life of the character or characters in the scene. What is happening? What is the story? Adding a story to your diorama gives it a little something extra that people will enjoy. It gives them something to think about.

Your only limit is your imagination - There are no real rules with making a shoebox diorama. Use whatever materials you would like to use. Create whatever kind of scene you would like to create. Don't be bashful.

You can't just start making one - Before you can start making your diorama you have to have a plan. And this means you have to draw out some rough sketches. Get a sketch pad and pencil and start drawing ideas of your scene. Move the objects in the scene around. Remember that it is three dimensional. Look for unique perspectives.

A good tip - Draw a variety of objects for your scene then cut them out. Lay them out on a piece of paper and rearrange them to see what the would look like. Remember that you are making a three dimensional scene so overlap items. Look for unique perspectives.

Ideas About the Unique layout of your Diorama

One of the great things about a diorama is the variety of ways to display it. What I mean is that you dont just put your scene in a box. The Display is part of the fun and appeal of a diorama. Here are some Ideas for Making your diorama Display unique.

Using a box or shoebox:

Use the box horizontal
Use the box vertical - I like this option
Put the cover on the box and then cut an observation hole in it so people can peek into it. You will have to cut some holes in the top or back to let light in or put a little battery operated light inside.
Put a layer of plastic or Saran Wrap over the front so it becomes an enclosed project that people look into
Cut the box in half so it hinges open and people can look inside. Some tape on the back makes a nice hinge

Ideas on the Subject of your diorama

A Mummy scene
A Desert scene
An underwater scene
A jungle scene
A castle scene
A moon scene
An astronomy or solor system scene
An alien scene
A scene from a video game or movie
A treehouse scene
A scene of a room in your house
Your favorite animal in its natural habitat

Let's go to Make a Shoebox Diorama Part 1: Designing on paper

If you are looking for some creative Diorama Ideas I have a whole bunch of dioramas that I have made and they are complete with tutorials and videos! Here is an overview of them:

Lots of Diorama Making Tutorials, Tips and Videos
	A Wizards Tower Diorama that I also made a video game of! This is a tutorial on using foam to make dioramas. Here is where the tutorial starts and here is the video that also shows about a minute of footage with me playing the video game. I have to get into the tower, get the fire staff, and slay the dragon.! Fun, multi-discipline project.
	How to Make a Dinosaur Diorama - This is an active diorama - The meteor flashes across the sky and the volcano erupts. Easy to make and teaches about the theories of dinosaur extinction. Nice learning shoebox diorama. And I include all the artwork of the dinosaurs you can cut out and color. The Active Dinosaur Diorama
	A user submitted creative suggestion. Being creative when using materials to make landscapes. This diorama landscape came out superb. I have more pics and suggestions on being creative with your diorama making here. Creative Diorama Making
	Halo and Xbox Diorama: I didn't make this diorama but I do show some great tips on how you can make one like this The Halo Dioama
	300 Diorama - The battle of Thermopylae: This diorama is a big 2 feet by 3 feet and has a lot of great stuff including lights and sounds. Here is the tutorial on how I made it and in how you can make a big and dramatic diorama The 300 Diorama Step by step

	A Polymer Clay Diorama - This is a very creative diorama submitted by a web visitor. The fairy is made from polymer clay which is a very creative way to make figures and characters. Check out this diorama and how it was made Polymer Clay dioramas
	New Video - I have made a video of my 6 foot medieval castle with working waterfall diorama. Video of a medieval castle diorama
	A guest artist has combines his love of painting with the art of Diorama making. He has put together a nice tutorial on how to take a painting and transform it into a shadowbox style diorama. But this isn't as far as he goes. He also shows us some really nice trick of the eye techniques for making the diorama extra special Dioramas from your paintings
	Ocean Diorama. It's a porthole view underwater called finding Atlantis Ocean Diorama
	Desert/Egyptian Diorama A visitor to my website, gentleman from Israel, sent me some pictures of his dioramas and they are just fantastic! Fantasy Dioramas
	Shoebox Diorama I have completed the shoebox diorama tutorial. It is a fire breathing dragon and a knight. You can check it out here. Shoebox diorama Shadowbox Diorama. You can hang it on the wall. It looks great and is a nice way to display your miniatures. Shadowbox diorama
	Rainforest Diorama - This diorama is a teaching tool that shows the ecosystem of the rainforest. All the artwork is done so you can print and color it. -Rainforest Diorama
Painting Miniatue Tutorial is complete! I have just begun a new tutorial on how to paint miniatures. Painting Miniatures Tutorial