Origamic Architecture Vol. IOrigamic Architecture Vol. I
Step by Step Instructions!
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Origamic Architecture Vol. IOrigamic Architecture Vol. I
TABLE OF CONTENTS
STATUE OF LIBERTY
ROYAL KINGDOM
PAGE 6
PAGE 8
NEW HOME/COTTAGEPAGE 10
BEAR WITH BALLOONS
ROLLER COASTER
BIRTHDAY CAKEPAGE 16
KITTY CAT
SAILBOAT
PAGE 18
PAGE 20
HUMMINGBIRDPAGE 22
LIGHTHOUSEPAGE 24
TRAIN ENGINEPAGE 26
TREE OF LOVEPAGE 28
PAGE 12
PAGE 14
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Tools you’ll need
Graphic knife or scalpel.
Burnisher or bone folder.
Transparent or masking tape.
A metal straightedge.
Light table.
I use X-acto blades and knives, but some peopleprefer scalpels. Make sure the blades are SHARP.Dull blades cause accidents! I also preferthe “grip” handles.
You will need some tool for making the crease scores.Bone folders work nicely (some letter openers work). I use a ball-pointed burnisher for my creases.
A portable light table is all that’s necessary.If you don’t have one, you can tape yoursheets of paper to a window. Be sure toadd an extra sheet or two to prevent theglass from getting scratched! I use alap-style light table with a plexiglass top.
Techniques
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Blue lines indicate aCREASE or VALLEY FOLD.Use your burnisher/bone folder.
Red lines indicate aCut score or MOUNTAIN FOLD.Cut halfway through the paper.
Black lines indicate aFull cut through the paper.
When cutting a point, make twoseparate cuts, approaching thesharpest point from both directions.
NOT like this:Like this:
To get the page ready for cutting:
Go to the page of the design you want.Click print (current page). Tape the printedpattern to the back of the blank sheet youwill be cutting/decorating. This is superiorto taping all the sheets to the light table,as you can now rotate the paper insteadof making you cut with an awkwardarrangement of the hands and arms(another source of bad cutting andaccidents!)
80 lb. Cover or Indexis a good weight to useand is available at anyoffice supply store.
Statue of Liberty DIFFICULTYLEVEL
tips tricks&
Fold the outsidefolds first, andnice and crisp!
These closeparallels aredifficult! Takeyour time anduse tweezersif necessary!
The base mustbe perfectlyparallel! Thismeans the valleyfold is at a perfect90 degrees!
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The eye is atiny circle. Usea punch or thevery tip of anx-acto blade.Be careful!
RED=cut halfway through BLUE=score BLACK=cut through
7
Royal KingdomDIFFICULTYLEVEL
tips tricks&
Use tweezers ifnecessary to fold these long thincreases.
Flags are a nice detail...Leave enough “beef”to make a solidconnection withthe backing.
Make top of towerseven and crisp.
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RED=cut halfway through BLUE=score BLACK=cut through
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Home Sweet HomeDIFFICULTYLEVEL
tips tricks&
Fold this longfold early.
The roundness ofthe shrub contrastswith all the straightsof the house.
Be careful with thepointed tops of thepicket fence.
11
RED=cut halfway through BLUE=score BLACK=cut through
12
Bear with BalloonsDIFFICULTYLEVEL
tips tricks&
Be especially carefulwith the detail in the face.Try and keep the face symmetrical. It is the onlydifficult part of the design.
13
RED=cut halfway through BLUE=score BLACK=cut through
14
Roller CoasterDIFFICULTYLEVEL
tips tricks&
Latticework is likea meditation. Bepersistent and youwill get it done.
Make sure the railsare nice and parallel.
You can easilychange the pattern to includetwo or three cars.
15
RED=cut halfway through BLUE=score BLACK=cut through
Birthday CakeDIFFICULTYLEVEL
tips tricks&
16
These ribs are very delicate.Cut them with a firm strokeand they will make a nice “cake shape”.
Make sure to getthe roundness ofthe twisty candles!
17
RED=cut halfway through BLUE=score BLACK=cut through
Kitty CatDIFFICULTYLEVEL
tips tricks&
18
Have fun with the fur!You can change thetexture of the cat, making him fluffyor scraggly.
Make sure the tailis perfectly curved.Make long, confidentstrokes with your knife.
Use a punchfor eyes to makethem perfect!
RED=cut halfway through BLUE=score BLACK=cut through
19
SailboatDIFFICULTYLEVEL
tips tricks&
20
These short foldsalong the mastwill be tricky. Go carefully.
RED=cut halfway through BLUE=score BLACK=cut through
21
tips tricks&
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HummingbirdDIFFICULTYLEVEL
Try to make the beak come to as sharp apoint as possible, leavingenough paper to make the connection.
The back featherscan be made tolook quite realistic.
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RED=cut halfway through BLUE=score BLACK=cut through
24
LighthhouseDIFFICULTYLEVEL
tips tricks&
This is a very simple lighthousewith plenty of room for drawingseagulls and beaches.
25
RED=cut halfway through BLUE=score BLACK=cut through
26
Train EngineDIFFICULTYLEVEL
tips tricks&
Make these wheelsnice and round.
Use a punch forthe larger holes.
27
RED=cut halfway through BLUE=score BLACK=cut through
28
Tree of LoveDIFFICULTYLEVEL
tips tricks&
Continuous fluid motionis required to make thetree look solid.
This is a fun one tocolor for Grandparents!
RED=cut halfway through BLUE=score BLACK=cut through
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Final Word
Pop-ups aregreat for parties!
Here are some tipson making your own:
1. Start with simple shapes. All complex shapes are made up from multiple simple shapes.
2. Make many sketches of the card before you start to cut
3. Avoid having a “tab” simply come out from the card to hold up your figure. Much of the satisfaction of good design follows by having nothing inherently “mechanical” about the mechanism that pops the card up.
4. Make a prototype, then set it down overnight. Come back to your work fresh and imagine the corrections and changes in three dimensions.
5. Be persistent! Anything can be made to pop-up!
6. Use grid paper to make your final patterns.