When graphic designer Greg Olijnyk (OH-lay-nik) finishes his workday, he continues creating—with cardboard! Inspired by science fiction and engineering, Olijnyk constructs intricate robot sculptures, above, using cardboard, tracing paper, and glue. This one has working joints, and some of his robots are kinetic, equipped with small motors and solar panels to make certain parts come to life.
Olijnyk chose cardboard as a medium because it’s an easily accessible—and easy-to-shape— material. “Each piece has the limitations and advantages of the cardboard material in mind,” the artist says. “How it bends, how strong it will be, etc.” Often he’ll build his robots to appear in mid-action—sailing a ship, swinging on rope, flying a helicopter, and more. He adds details, such as eyes, using LED lights and glass accessories. Olijnyk juxtaposes an ordinary material with complex engineering design skills to make sculptures that are at once familiar and surprising.