Abstract: The walls of a cushion with a plurality of interconnected walls that define hollow columns may be tapered. The tapering may reduce a weight and/or a thickness of the cushion relative to a conventionally configured cushion with a patterned grid defined by interconnected walls, while substantially maintaining a buckling profile and other cushioning characteristics of the conventionally configured cushion. In addition, the taper may have a draft that facilitates removal of the cushion (e.g., a cushion formed from an elastomeric gel, etc.) from a mold. Methods of designing cushions with reduced weights and/or thicknesses are also disclosed, as are methods of designing cushions to facilitate their release from molds and methods for manufacturing cushions.