NCIDQ IDFX Practice Exam

What material is often used for constructing working models?

1. Glass and ceramics

2. Chipboard, foam-core board, or illustration board

3. Steel and concrete

4. Wood and metal combined

The correct answer is: Chipboard, foam-core board, or illustration board

Using chipboard, foam-core board, or illustration board is ideal for constructing working models because these materials offer a perfect balance of lightweight and structural integrity. These boards are easy to cut, shape, and glue, allowing designers to create precise and detailed representations of their ideas. Additionally, they are commonly used in the early stages of design development because they can be easily altered or modified, which is crucial when working through concepts and design iterations. The other materials listed, such as glass and ceramics, tend to be more brittle and less forgiving in the prototyping phase. They are generally better suited for final products rather than initial models. Likewise, steel and concrete are heavy and require more specialized tools and skills to work with, making them less practical for developing working models at the conceptual stage. Wood and metal can also be utilized in model-making, but they are often more complex and not as straightforward to manipulate as chipboard or foam-core options, particularly for initial design testing.