Concepts and Reality

In an architecture class, Alejandro Corpus’ instructor told students to create a design at no cost. Using cardboard, Corpus developed a recyclable phone case. Inspired by technology and the website Kickstarter, he considered the design more than just a class project. Instead he saw it as a business opportunity.

Corpus made his first model of the case; however, it was as a disaster. After four prototypes, he figured out a way to simplify the design.

“I knew it was different and people enjoy different,” he said. “People don’t know what they want until you put it in their face.”

Corpus said the hardest part about developing a cardboard phone case was making it useful. He hoped his invention would not go unnoticed.

“[Having a business] is a failure until you make the first step to make it a success,” Corpus said.