The Cube is a collaborative art project designed by Scottish artist Mia McGregor. The idea is to decorate a 3D cube, either as an individual or as part of a group, and share the results with a worldwide community who are all united by the project. The Cube is an inclusive platform that aims to support well-being through the creative process and to share experiences, interact with people and spark creativity through its digital gallery and public events.To take part, individuals can get in touch with the artist via her website and ask for a free cube kit to be sent directly to their address, while bigger, custom-made cubes can be ordered for collaborative events like workshops, businesses and festivals. Individuals can also make their own cubes out of their own materials. Currently Scotland’s biggest collaborative artwork, with over 20,000 participants, McGregor hopes that The Cube can become the largest collaborative art project in the world.

Part of the purpose of The Cube is for people to embrace their inner artist and to engage with the creative process. Understanding how the creative proess works is a

key skill for artists and helps them to feel more confident when they are faced with a new project.

Use the space below to explore your initial ideas for your cube. The prompts show the kinds of things artists might think about during this phase of the creative process. Write down as many ideas as you can – you won’t have to use them all!

Have a look at your mind map – which initial ideas do you like the most? Which ones would work the best on your cube with the resources that you have available?

Artist LinksWhich artists could

your work be inspired by?

My Cube

ThemeWhat could your cube be about?

MediumWhat method

could you use to decorate with?

Colour PaletteWhat colours/colour combinations could you use and what mood would they

create?

Surface Design

What style do you want to decorate in?

The ideas I like the most are:

After narrowing down their initial ideas, artists develop them by taking photographs linked to their theme, making observational studies in a range of media, researching artists and making studies in their style. This development work helps artists to plan options for a possible final piece.Use the boxes below to sketch nine possible designs for your cube’s faces.

Constructing your cube:Cut along the solid black lines.Fold crisply along the dotted lines.Use clear tape or a glue stick to fasten.

If you’d like to share your finished cube with Mia McGregor your finished cube, send a photograph of your work to hello@thecube.comteacher.

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Pick your favourite six designs – one for each face of the cube. Either use the net provided or make your own, changing the scale and material of the cube. Decorate before constructing the cube. Remember to consider the orientation of each design first.