Funky origami advice?

February 21, 2009 8:21 PM

Hi all, I have recently become obsessed with origami, and I love the funkier side of the craft. Bright colors, geometric patterns, modular pieces. I have the basic folds down, but now I want to make and learn about really cool stuff. Do any of you have suggestions about the most interesting origami papers, websites, discussion groups, patterns, etc.? Or any other origami advice?
posted by tnygard to media & arts (11 comments total)

Have a look at this post on the blue by nickyskye last December about MeFi's own EricGjerde.
posted by netbros at 8:43 PM on February 21

Money origami is cool.

My child makes cute 1/2" cranes and leaves them in random places for people to find.
posted by auntbunny at 8:54 PM on February 21

I don't know if you've considered papercraft, but it's very cool and has a lot of internet sources.
posted by sanka at 8:58 PM on February 21

Flickr has a strong origami community (or several of them) with lots of ideas and people willing to talk endlessly about paper. I like the 3D paper art group in particular, but there are lots of other origami groups. You can probably just poke around and comment, or post your own work too.
posted by dreamyshade at 9:56 PM on February 21

I have a Page A Day Origami calendar by Margaret van Sicklen which I'm having fun working my way through, although the instructions are somewhat variable. I'm really loving the paper designs though - you use yesterday's page to make today's project. You might be able to pick up a cheap one now that 2009 is some way through. Amazon have exactly the one I'm talking about.
posted by car01 at 3:56 AM on February 22

I'd also recommend searching out some books on origami. The dead tree version is usually a bit easier to follow than much of the instructions that I've found online.

Here are a couple of book recommendations. Some of these are probably out of print, and can be found for a song on amazon, ebay, or used book stores.

Origami: Angelfish to Zen - provides a fascinating history of origami, and the math behind it. Also has a fair amount of models. Most are medium to advanced difficulty.

Origami Omnibus - great book by Kunihiko Kasahara. It has models to fit any skill level, and lots of modular stuff too. Not exactly traditional origami, but it has a cool feel to it.

Origami to astonish and amuse - Definitely funky stuff. Some is very cool, and some is a little too out there for me. Any skill level.

Here's an enjoyable model that I found online... Yoda from "Empire Strikes Back."

If you're interested in creating your own models, there's even free software out there to help you create the model, and to also create the diagrammed instructions.

As for advice, hmm... If you can get it, Japanese paper is much better than what I can find in the stores in the U.S....Try different techniques, like making small models with tweezers and magnifying glass, or wet folding. There are many different types of origami out there. You may just find a niche that you really enjoy.

Above all, have fun with it.

It's funny. Origami has always been a solitary form of relaxation for me. I've never thought about joining a discussion group -- but now I will! Thanks!
posted by mattybonez at 6:54 AM on February 22

You might pick up a copy of Extreme Origami. It's generally pretty good, and has a few really cool ideas. (I made a bunch of the twisty blue thing shown on the cover of the book. They are awesome)

I don't own any of these books, but you might give them a try.
posted by gregr at 6:55 AM on February 22

You might find this TED talk about math + origami = amazing feats of folded paper interesting.
posted by thewrongparty at 7:26 AM on February 22

Origami for the Connoisseur, by Kasahara, is quite awesome (trick dice, dinosaurs, ROSES, and a cellophane 'bottle' you can fold and put something inside it). And if you ever learn how to fold this devil, please teach me how to do it too.

(I also recommend & enjoy the page-a-day-origami calendars. They're like 1 mm off square, however, FYI, just in case you would be horrified by that.)
posted by oldtimey at 7:26 PM on February 22

There's also Very Naughty Origami, by Nick Robinson.
posted by Dragonness at 10:18 AM on February 23

I recommend John Montroll. My favorites of his are Origami Inside-Out, Prehistoric Animals, Origami Sea Life, and expecially the two on polyhedra. It's amazing what he can do with a single square of paper.
posted by Vic Morrow's Personal Vietnam at 11:08 PM on February 26