Origami, the traditional Japanese art of paper folding, has gained global popularity due to its mesmerizing ability to transform a simple piece of paper into a complex three-dimensional object. With a unique blend of precision, creativity, and patience, origami offers both a stimulating challenge and a therapeutic activity.
In today’s digital era, numerous subscription apps have emerged, providing easy access to learning origami. These apps cater to the needs of both beginners and advanced origami enthusiasts, offering step-by-step tutorials, a variety of patterns, and even an interactive community to share your creations.
Whether you are looking to delve into this artistic pastime or simply exploring a new hobby, these best subscription apps for learning origami are designed to guide you on your journey of turning paper into art.
A List Of 5 Best Subscription Apps For Learning Origami
1. Understanding Origami Basics
Origami, from the Japanese words “oru” (to fold) and “kami” (paper), is an art form that transforms a flat sheet into a sculpture through various folding techniques. Before starting your origami creation, it’s crucial to understand a few basic folds such as mountain and valley folds, squash folds, petal folds, and rabbit ear folds. You can proceed to more complex figures once you have mastered these primary folds.
Choosing Your Origami Paper
Selecting the right paper is key to a successful origami creation. Origami paper, known as “kami,” is thin and easy to fold, but any paper can be used as long as it holds a crease. You can find origami paper in an array of colors, patterns, and sizes to add a visual appeal to your designs.
Making an Origami Crane
- Prepare your paper: Start with a perfectly square piece of paper. If you’re using colored origami paper, place the colored side face down.
- Create a square base: Fold the paper diagonally in both directions. Open it up and fold it horizontally and vertically. Push the two sides together to form a square base.
- Form a bird base: Follow the petal fold technique to create a bird base.
- Shape the crane: Fold the sides inward to form the neck and tail of the crane. Use a reverse fold to shape the head. Finally, gently pull the wings apart to shape the body of the crane.
Exploring Advanced Origami
Once you’ve mastered the crane, you can experiment with more complex origami creations like flowers, boxes, or animals. The beauty of origami lies in its endless possibilities. There are many resources online, including diagrams, videos, and apps, that provide step-by-step instructions for these advanced designs.
Practicing Mindfulness with Origami
Origami is not just an art form, but a meditative practice as well. The act of folding paper requires concentration and precision, offering a form of mindfulness. As you continue your origami journey, you’ll find that it not only allows you to create beautiful art but also nurtures patience, dexterity, and peace of mind.
2. Paper Origami Trends in 2020
2020 saw a resurgence in the popularity of paper origami, influenced in part by increased time spent at home due to global lockdowns. The year witnessed some fresh trends in this traditional art form, challenging the boundaries of creativity and precision.
Origami and Mental Health
The therapeutic potential of origami was widely explored in 2020. Amid the stress and uncertainty of the pandemic, many turned to origami as a form of mindfulness practice. The precise, repetitive nature of paper folding offers a calming, centering activity that can help reduce anxiety and improve focus.
Environmental Consciousness in Origami
2020 also marked a heightened awareness of environmental issues. This consciousness is reflected in the origami world, with practitioners increasingly turning to upcycled or sustainably sourced papers. It’s a trend that shows the potential of origami as a low-impact, eco-friendly art form.
Origami in Digital Art
Digital platforms took origami to a new level in 2020. Online tutorials, virtual workshops, and digital origami simulation tools made the art more accessible, allowing novices and experts alike to learn, share, and collaborate like never before.
Origami in Home Decor
Another trend observed in 2020 was the use of origami in home decor. From intricate wall hangings to minimalist table centerpieces, origami creations added a unique aesthetic touch to personal spaces, reflecting the beauty of handmade art.
Modular Origami
Modular origami, where multiple pieces of paper are folded into units and then combined to form a larger structure, gained popularity in 2020. This technique allows for complex, stunning designs, pushing the limits of what can be created with simple sheets of paper.
3. Skilled Origami- The Art of Mastering Complexity
Skilled origami is the epitome of precision, patience, and creativity. As you venture further into the world of origami, you’ll encounter designs that challenge your folding skills and push the boundaries of what can be created with a simple sheet of paper.
Advanced Folds in Skilled Origami
Mastering advanced folds is the first step towards skilled origami. Techniques such as the reverse fold, sink fold, and the challenging open-sink fold form the backbone of many intricate designs. These folds, coupled with an understanding of basic geometric principles, pave the way for creating complex origami models.
Mastering Origami Models
Skilled origami involves not just complex folds, but also the mastery of intricate models. These include iconic designs like Robert J. Lang’s “Origami Insects”, Satoshi Kamiya’s “Ancient Dragon”, and the stunningly intricate “Kusudama” flowers. Learning these models requires a deep understanding of origami’s foundational principles, careful attention to detail, and perseverance.
Origami Design Theory
An often overlooked aspect of skilled origami is the design theory behind it. Understanding the mathematics and geometry that underpin origami designs can elevate your paper folding skills. Experts in the field use these principles to create new models, pushing the boundaries of the art form.
Skilled Origami and Paper Choice
When undertaking skilled origami, the selection of paper becomes even more critical. The weight, size, and texture of the paper can dramatically impact the final result. High-quality origami paper, often handmade, allows for crisp folds and holds intricate patterns well.
Community and Collaboration in Skilled Origami
The journey towards skilled origami is not a solitary one. The global origami community, connected through workshops, conferences, and online platforms, offers invaluable support and inspiration. Collaborative projects, such as giant origami installations or communal ‘fold-a-thons’, showcase the collective power and passion of origami enthusiasts worldwide.
4. Harnessing Technology- Specific Origami Apps
Origami Player
The Origami Player is an innovative app that brings the traditional art of origami to your fingertips in a digital format. It offers a 3D experience, with models that you can rotate and zoom in on to get a better understanding of the folds. Detailed, step-by-step instructions guide users through each fold, making it an excellent tool for origami enthusiasts at any level of expertise.
Foldify
Foldify combines the creativity of origami with the fun of personalized design. This app lets you draw, color, and then fold your creations into 3D figures. It’s a unique blend of origami and digital art, offering hours of creative fun for both children and adults.
Paperama
Paperama takes you into a world of origami puzzles. The app challenges you to fold virtual paper to match the given shape within a limited number of moves. It tests your precision and strategic thinking, adding an exciting, game-like element to the process of paper folding.
Origami Instructions
As its name suggests, Origami Instructions is all about guiding you through the process of making origami. The app provides clear, step-by-step instructions for hundreds of models, ranging from simple designs perfect for beginners to more complex structures that will challenge seasoned origami artists.
Oribot
Oribot is designed to inspire creativity through a unique blend of origami and robotics. The app provides instructions for creating paper robots that move and interact. It’s a fascinating application of origami in the realm of robotics and a great way to introduce children to both art and science.
How to Make Origami
How to Make Origami is another comprehensive app for origami learners. It offers clear instructions for more than 80 different origami models. The step-by-step diagrams make the folding process easy to follow, and each model comes with a difficulty rating to help you choose the right challenge for your skill level.
5. Origami and Social Media Platforms
Instagram: A Visual Showcase
Instagram, a platform driven by visuals, has emerged as a popular space for origami artists. Here, they showcase their intricate models attracting admirers from all over the globe. The hashtags like #OrigamiArt and #PaperFolding aggregate stunning works, while accounts such as @white_onrice and @foldedwilderness regularly inspire followers with their exceptional craft.
Facebook: Communities and Learning
Facebook fosters several origami communities where practitioners gather to share their creations, discuss techniques, and participate in challenges. Pages like “Origami Kids” offer tutorials for beginners, while groups such as “Origami Tessellations” cater to more advanced enthusiasts, making it an inclusive platform for all skill levels.
YouTube: Step-by-step Tutorials
YouTube is a treasure trove of origami tutorials catering to various levels of skill. Channels like “Jo Nakashima – Origami Tutorials” and “Happy Folding – Enjoy Origami Online” provide step-by-step video instructions. With the ability to pause, rewind, and watch in slow motion, learners have full control over their pace, enhancing their learning experience.
Pinterest: A Hub of Creative Ideas
Pinterest serves as a collection point for myriad origami designs, from the simplest to the most complex. It allows users to save interesting ideas for future reference and create their own collection boards. With an array of diagrams and links to external blogs and tutorials, Pinterest is a handy tool for origami enthusiasts.
Twitter: Real-time Updates and Discussions
Twitter enables real-time discussions on origami. Hashtags such as #Origami and #PaperArt provide a global conversation space where origami enthusiasts can share their artwork, follow prominent origami artists, and stay updated on the latest trends, exhibitions, and workshops.
LinkedIn: Professional Networking and Collaboration
LinkedIn helps connect origami artists, educators, and enthusiasts on a professional level. It opens opportunities for collaboration, workshop coordination, and learning about origami-based job opportunities. It’s a unique space where paper art meets professional networking.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the art of origami is deeply intertwined with community, collaboration, technology, and social media, making it an accessible and engaging pursuit for individuals worldwide. The use of apps brings a digital transformation, allowing enthusiasts to explore and create intricate models from the comfort of their devices.
Social media platforms serve as influential gateways that connect diverse origami communities, offering platforms to showcase artwork, share techniques, and engage in invaluable learning experiences. Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn basic folds, or an advanced artist seeking to explore complex patterns, these digital resources provide a multitude of opportunities to dive into the captivating world of origami.
