Abstract: A flexible unit cell is disclosed. The flexible unit cell is a single unit that can be repeated and interconnected to create a flexible design such as a covering for an object or person. The flexible unit includes a rigid portion and a flexible connection portion. Flexible units connect via the flexible connection portion to form a flexible design that can move and flex based on the connection of the flexible connection portions between flexible units. Further, the rigid portions of the flexible units may not be connected, allow such movement. The flexible unit is designed such that a flexible design made using such flexible units maintains a degree of rigidity so it can keep a shape of a surface of an object, but also maintains enough flexibility to conform to the surface even if the object bends or moves. Further disclosed are processes for manufacturing such flexible unit cells.