Hologram Dark Display Box

I've always been fascinated by holograms: machines that can project a 3-D image into space. Luckily, I found a simple DIY method to make a hologram pyramid right here on Instructables (just search for "hologram"). You can make a hologram for any device with a screen, and the result is amazing given how simple it is. 

The idea is to create an upside-down pyramid such that each face of the pyramid will form a 45~50-degree angle with the flat illuminated surface below. The pyramid projects the image on the flat screen into an upright position and, at the same time, allows the background objects to be seen through. This combined effect gives the illusion of the 2D image floating (projected upright with angled side) around in your surroundings.

However, most of the DYI holograms have a problem. You can only see it clearly in a dark room. I was wondering if there was a way to view these holograms even in a bright setting.

As you've probably guessed by the thumbnail and title, there is! And in this Instructable, I will guide you on the process of making your very own hologram and dark display box.

1.     Transparent plastic sheet

2.      Shoebox. If you can't find one, please refer to Step 8 for a quick guide on using a standard USPS shipping box instead.

3.      Duct tape, masking tape, clear tape, and glue

4.      Craft knife and scissors

5. Device with a screen

My first attempt used a dark plastic sheet to build a hologram pyramid. It helped, but wasn't satisfactory. The dark sheet was less transparent and harder to see through

In my, second attempt, we built a dark box, trying to balance the better reflection ability with the reduced light coming into the box and the loss of transparency. We used different kinds of boxes and found out that the easiest way is to use a box that can flip the top open. A shoebox is perfect!

For each side of the trapezoid shape, make sure the top side (short one of the parallel sides of the trapezoid) is 2cm (if you're using a tablet), or 1cm (for most phones). The size of each trapezoid should be such that the final pyramid can fit into your box AND the small end is appropriate for the device you are using. As long as the angles of the trapezoid are as shown in the template, you can adjust the size of the trapezoid accordingly.

In addition, note the height of your pyramid. Measure the thickness of your device (say iPad) as N cm. Measure the depth of the box as H cm. Your pyramid should not be taller than (H-N) cm.

Cut out the trapezoid. Tape the sides to form a pyramid. Once the pyramid is made, tape it on to the bottom of the shoe box as shown. I used brown masking tape, so it's a bit hard to see.

Cut open a window in the middle of the long side of the shoe box. My observation window is 6”x2.5”. Yours can be different, but you should be able to see most of the side of your pyramid.

The device/tablet will fit into the shoebox’s lid. We need to pad the lid so that when the box is closed, the 2cmx2cm opening on the pyramid will align with the center of the tablet video display. You can find the center of the display by loading any of the hologram videos on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y60mfBvXCj8 for example). It will display as a big white cross at the beginning of each video. The cross is the center we need to align with the opening of the pyramid.

First adjust the height. Cut cardboard of length 1 cm less than the width of the shoebox lid as shown. This 1cm space is for the edge of shoe box bottom to fit in so the box can be closed. When you glue the padding to the shoebox lid, leave 0.5 cm on each side. Add layers of cardboard so that when shoebox is closed, the screen of the tablet lightly touches the opening of the pyramid. Secure layered cardboard to the shoebox lid.

Add padding on both sides so that the device’s display center aligns the center of the pyramid, opening along the long side of the shoebox lid.

Same process as last step, just along a different dimension.

Now, fit in the device and test it by playing a hologram video (try https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y60mfBvXCj8). 

Remember when we said that the hologram "allows the background objects to be seen through" in the beginning? Well, now the shoebox is blocking the background objects.

The problem with visible background objects is that this requires light, and any light makes the hologram less clear, ruining the effect. If anyone figures out a way to get the best of both worlds, please comment down below!

You can still do this with a regular (free!) shipping box. I made one with USPS priority shipping box 11.25” x 8.75” x 6” before using the flip-top shoe box.

We want to cut various openings first. We first cut open an observation window on the long side of the box, then cut an opening to slide in the device.

Then, just follow the steps for securing the device and making/securing the hologram.

For us this is an interesting experiment process to maximize the grand effect of this kind of hologram. This was fun for us, and I hope you'll enjoy it, too!