I have been a designer and craftsman for over 30 years. One common denominator in many of the projects has always seamed to boxes. Many objects that I have built in my studio looked like boxes. One day, I was building computer pedestals for IBM. A friend of mine named Willie walked in and commented, "building boxes again."

I realized that many things that make up our house are boxes; in one form or another. In reality your house is a big complex box. The best way to start any complex project is to break it down into simple parts. The sum of its parts, is much easier than the hole object.

Where do I begin learning home improvements? I never used tools before? What materials do I use? I never had the opportunity to learn how to work with my hands.

Do I start with how to design the project? Do I start with how to use each tool? Or do we go to Home Depot and learn about materials? It sort of all comes down to the chicken or the egg, which comes first. I decided to start with both the chicken and the egg.

I will build a simple box and turn it into a finished useful object; like a speaker cabinet. I go through each step of the process. The interactive DVD contains 2 hours of video creating the box and 2 hours of lateral menus teaching you about the tools and materials we are using.

Step One: The Design and Layout of the Box

On the right of the blackboard you see a drawing of what the box looks like and how it breaks down into pieces.
On the left you see how we are going to cut the plywood into all the pieces that make up the box.