Grateful Dead Candy Box

Construction

This piece was created for an assignment to design a candy box inspired by a famous person or group. I chose the Grateful Dead for their psychedelic aesthetic and iconic imagery. Drawing inspiration from the band’s skull logo and the concept of “Deadheads,” I centered the design around a sculptural skull, complemented by a small, stylized body to create a more dynamic and character-driven form.

During the planning phase, I initially considered carving the structure from foam, but determined it would be too fragile. Instead, I built the form from layered foamcore, an approach that balanced stability, efficiency, and cost. The pieces were hand-cut and glued by size and shape, then carved down to achieve the desired shape. To make the piece interactive, I attached hinges to the jaw, and later added hinged fingers to suggest movement and invite engagement.

The surface was sealed and refined using Mod Podge and Durham’s Water Putty, resulting in a smooth, lightweight finish. The base was laser-cut from 1/8-inch wood, layered for strength and balance. For the candy element, I created an isomalt hard candy infused with cotton candy flavor and colored with food dye. The candies were cast using custom silicone molds made from hand-carved prototypes, completing the tactile and playful nature of the piece.