A diorama is a way to build an exciting scene in a small space.

They usually
display a historical time period, a nature scene, or a fictional situation, and
allow a lot of room for creativity and innovation. Whether your diorama is a
school project, a base for a model, or just for fun, building

oChoose your theme. Dioramas are small scenes created of layers of

materials, all depicting a similar theme. Think of the topic or idea you
want your diorama to portray - is it a scene from a book? A period in
time? An example of an ecosystem or animal/plant group? The options
for a diorama are endless.

 The theme you choose may vary depending on the ultimate size you
want and the amount of supplies you have. A very broad theme may
not be able to be accomplished in a small shoebox, while a very
specific theme will be difficult to accomplish in a large frame.
 Consider the availability of your supplies. If you want to make a
diorama with an ocean theme, but have nothing to represent water or
fish, it will be difficult to accomplish.
ne is easy.

Plan your diorama. Create a list of ideas for possible inclusions for
your diorama. How do you want the background to look? Will you use
found objects only, or printed pictures as well? Do you need to buy any
supplies to create your scene, or can it all be made using things from
your home and garden? Brainstorming ideas prior to starting to build
up your diorama will help you to have a more finished looking piece.
 Try making a rough sketch of what you want your ideal diorama to look
like. Think of the composition of the piece, and the layout of all the
figures.
 Gather as many of the supplies for the project as you are able prior to
putting it together. Getting the supplies organized will make the
assembly of your diorama much easier than trying to find them as you
work.
 Select a frame. Because dioramas have layers of background, they
need a box or frame that is several inches deep. For a basic diorama, a
shoebox or old shipping box can be turned on its side and used. Larger
dioramas can be created out of a large wooden crate or frame
attached to a box. Anything that gives the illusion of a small open-
faced room can be used as the frame for your diorama.[1]
 If you have specific goals in mind for your diorama, you can consider
building a box out of wood to fit your desired dimensions.
 Get creative with the frame for your diorama. For example, a diorama
depicting a family scene or people could be done in a refurbished
dollhouse.

Create your background. Your diorama should be worked on from the

back to the front. As you work, you will add layers of details and
images which create depth in your scene. Make the background first
against the farthest wall of your box. Consider painting a basic scene
or printing an image and gluing it on. You could also create a collage
out of magazine cutouts to act as the background for your diorama.
 Don’t forget to add a background image to the inside sides as well as
the furthest back side.
 If you want, you can paint the outside of your box a different color to
add a more finished look. This should be done before you begin adding
layers and figurines to your diorama.

Build up the ground. A realistic diorama does not fail to acknowledge the
creation of the ground. Add details to the ground using paint or modeling
clay. Papier mache can be used to create the illusion of real mountains or
hills in addition to those painted in the back.

Begin adding details. Add your first layer of details and objects at the back
and near the sides of your diorama. At this point, you could add larger detail
items such as trees, rocks, or pieces of furniture. Keep to the edges of your
project, as you will work inwards and forwards as you go.
 Finish the landscape. Complete the background for your diorama by adding
any additional landscape details you may want. If you are creating a nature
scene, add anything to represent trees, grass, flowers, rocks, et cetera. The
same should be done for any scene though - add in everything you want for a
completed landscape.

Finish the landscape. Complete the background for your diorama by adding
any additional landscape details you may want. If you are creating a nature
scene, add anything to represent trees, grass, flowers, rocks, et cetera. The
same should be done for any scene though - add in everything you want for a
completed landscape.

Add your figures. Although you don’t have to, complete your scene with the
addition of small figurines or models. Keeping with our nature theme
example, you might put small toy animals or bugs throughout the frame.
Consider hanging thiCreate a textured ground. Although you may just
want a simple, smooth ground in your diorama, you can create a very
realistic and textured ground easily. Try gluing sand or gravel along
the bottom of the frame to give the look of a rough terrain. Pine
needles, small leaves, and grass clippings can be glued down to look
like grass or a more natural bottom.

 Make boulders and small details out of modeling clay or papier mache
and glue them down using hot glue.
 You can paint or print photos of details you want to be on the ground if
you are short on time.
 ngs like birds or tiny airplanes from the top of your frame using fishing line
and a bit of hot glue or staples.

Make trees. To give the appearance of trees in your diorama, gather

small twigs and branches from your yard or neighborhood. Twigs
without any leaves look like trees barren in the winter, while small
branches off of bushes or trees with needles look like full trees. Stick
a tiny ball of clay on the bottom of the branch to hold it upright, or glue
it to the inside of your box.
 If you want a more playful look, consider using tree figurines from a
childrens toy set or doll house. These are available separately from the
packs in some childrens toy stores, or can be taken from a complete
toy set.
 Consider cutting out pictures of trees from printed photos or magazine
clippings. You can cut a little extra of the paper at the bottom of the
tree and then fold it backwards so that the paper tree will stay upright
when set away from the sides/back of the box.

Make trees. To give the appearance of trees in your diorama, gather

small twigs and branches from your yard or neighborhood. Twigs
without any leaves look like trees barren in the winter, while small
branches off of bushes or trees with needles look like full trees. Stick
a tiny ball of clay on the bottom of the branch to hold it upright, or glue
it to the inside of your box.
 If you want a more playful look, consider using tree figurines from a
childrens toy set or doll house. These are available separately from the
packs in some childrens toy stores, or can be taken from a complete
toy set.
 Consider cutting out pictures of trees from printed photos or magazine
clippings. You can cut a little extra of the paper at the bottom of the
tree and then fold it backwards so that the paper tree will stay upright
when set away from the sides/back of the box.

 Add things to the sky. To add detail to the sky, consider putting in things to
act as clouds, the sun, the moon, or stars. Cotton balls work well glued to
the background and roof as clouds. The Stars can be created out of dots of
glitter glue, silver nail polish, or metallic paint. Create a large sun by painting
a small styrofoam ball and hanging it with fishing line or hot glue. The sky is
the limit in terms of the items you use to represent celestial beings! [3]

Dioramas for fun

This is a very common type of diorama and there are many hobbyists that make this
type. The pursuit of a hobbyist in this realm is often not so much the pursuit of
diorama making but the pursuit of the subject matter. Hobbyist diorama makers often
stick to a specific theme in their diormas such as World War II, Fantasy battles,
Model Railroads or other themes.

Teaching and instructional Dioramas

This type of diorama has the very specific goal of teaching the viewer about a subject
or theme. And this type of diorama is often seen in museums where a scene is laid out
to describe a system or show creatures in their natural habitat and how the

Trade exhibitions are generally designed to meet the needs of one particular type of
business or product or country. Only people involved in the field are invited to attend
and the general public is rarely admitted.

Consumer Exhibitions
Consumer exhibitions are horizontal markets. They usually involve a range of products
from a number of different industries on display to the general public. Examples of this
kind of event are home, boat and travel shows. Consumer shows may also be designed
to attract a particular demographic (young women, retirees) or people with a specific
hobby or interest (craft, gardening, pets).
Shows may be built around a particular product or service (car shows, boat shows,
computer shows, travel shows) or a particular theme (homemaking).