Origami

Challenge yourself with shapes from the resources listed. Create several themed or engineered structures. Try different scales of material and pieces of paper. Have fun folding!

Step 1: Now that you have a better understanding of the process, begin your own folded project. Using what you have gained in activity 1, pick a basic shape that you can create through your own innovation. Note: It does not have to start with the original origami shape; it may already exist.

Step 2: You may either fold until you have found a step-by-step process that produces the desired shape, or you may systematically solve the process by analysis and design before you begin folding.

Step 3: Once completed, replicate your process and create one more shape.

Step 4: Develop a set of instructions for others to create your shape. It can be in any medium: animation or 2D sequential drawings.

1. Find a beginner level folded shape from one of the following instructional websites.
2. Start with a piece of white paper and follow the instructions given.
3. Make sure to pay attention to the folds and creases you are making.
4. Once completed, color all the open faces with a permanent marker or color pencil.
5. Unfold your shape.
6. Draw over the pleats and folds with dotted lines.
7. Consider the following: Is there symmetry? How do the color shapes relate to one another on the white page? Are there patterns of how folding can create form?

• What does Origami translate to?
  • Paper
  • Fold
  • Folding Paper
  • Pretty Paper
• From where did origami originate?
  • China
  • Japan
  • Germany
  • The United States
• Origami is an:
  • Art Form
  • Science
  • Neither
  • Both A and B
• When is origami thought to have begun?
  • 10 A.D.
  • 100 A.D.
  • 1000 A.D.
  • 1000 B.C.