PAPERSHAKE BLOG:
Explorations in Origami Design
Explorations in Origami Design – Origami Phoenix Design
Explorations in Origami Design – Origami Phoenix Design
Summer 2022




There are a good number of origami phoenix tutorials on YouTube for various models but I didn’t really connect with the easier ones, and things like Satoshi Kamiya’s masterpiece are obviously far far too much (look if up if you’re not familiar!). Plus I always like to use either traditional or original models to respect other designers’ intellectual rights.
As an extra constraint, I also wanted to design a model that could be folded efficiently from one sheet of A4/Letter paper, and not end up too small a model when completed.
So with these requirements in mind, I started my explorations.
I tried to keep my mind very soft as I tried just walking through a few options. There was some time pressure as I needed to send the client a photo ASAP, but I tried to just notice that stress and keep my mind soft! Eventually, I had the idea of cutting a square from the A4 and using the offcut for the tail – after some experiments it seemed to be a good idea so I explored more and found that by folding the traditional Japanese crane with one little tweak, I could secure a tail, folded from the offcuts folded like a fan, in the back of the model with no glue and complete a really effective model in 30 minutes folding!
The Japanese crane is symbolic of long life and hope and is often folded in large numbers (1,000s!) by schools and companies in Japan. As such it felt like a fitting model to adapt for this Phoenix and in the workshop (which went well, by the way!) I had a good number of people happily completing the final model – so now there are a flock of Phoenixes all down the West Coast of the US, reminding us that we will Rise Up again one day soon!

There are a good number of origami phoenix tutorials on YouTube for various models but I didn’t really connect with the easier ones, and things like Satoshi Kamiya’s masterpiece are obviously far far too much (look if up if you’re not familiar!). Plus I always like to use either traditional or original models to respect other designers’ intellectual rights.
As an extra constraint, I also wanted to design a model that could be folded efficiently from one sheet of A4/Letter paper, and not end up too small a model when completed.
So with these requirements in mind, I started my explorations.
I tried to keep my mind very soft as I tried just walking through a few options. There was some time pressure as I needed to send the client a photo ASAP, but I tried to just notice that stress and keep my mind soft! Eventually, I had the idea of cutting a square from the A4 and using the offcut for the tail – after some experiments it seemed to be a good idea so I explored more and found that by folding the traditional Japanese crane with one little tweak, I could secure a tail, folded from the offcuts folded like a fan, in the back of the model with no glue and complete a really effective model in 30 minutes folding!
The Japanese crane is symbolic of long life and hope and is often folded in large numbers (1,000s!) by schools and companies in Japan. As such it felt like a fitting model to adapt for this Phoenix and in the workshop (which went well, by the way!) I had a good number of people happily completing the final model – so now there are a flock of Phoenixes all down the West Coast of the US, reminding us that we will Rise Up again one day soon!

Michael Trew
Summer 2022
Check out some of our recent projects
Check out some of our recent projects
Check out some of our recent projects
Edible Origami Grasshopper and Locusts for Knorr Social Media Campaign
Since a child I have always loved folding wrapper for sweets and chocolates, turning shiny foils that are normally chucked away into tiny birds, flowers and other animals. In this project I got to do something similar, but this time I was actually folding the food! Yep, edible Origami!
Edible Origami Grasshopper and Locusts for Knorr Social Media Campaign
Since a child I have always loved folding wrapper for sweets and chocolates, turning shiny foils that are normally chucked away into tiny birds, flowers and other animals. In this project I got to do something similar, but this time I was actually folding the food! Yep, edible Origami!
Edible Origami Grasshopper and Locusts for Knorr Social Media Campaign
Since a child I have always loved folding wrapper for sweets and chocolates, turning shiny foils that are normally chucked away into tiny birds, flowers and other animals. In this project I got to do something similar, but this time I was actually folding the food! Yep, edible Origami!
Origami Style Papercraft Fabergé Eggs for Easter Campaign with Aldi Supermarkets
I love the live use of Origami and Paper Sculpture and have collaborated with many agencies and brands over the years on experiential campaigns, but this one was a bit different! I created over 100 huge and iconic Fabergé style eggs from branded paper, each with its own lock and key, and yes, they all worked! Read more about the project below.
Origami Style Papercraft Fabergé Eggs for Easter Campaign with Aldi Supermarkets
I love the live use of Origami and Paper Sculpture and have collaborated with many agencies and brands over the years on experiential campaigns, but this one was a bit different! I created over 100 huge and iconic Fabergé style eggs from branded paper, each with its own lock and key, and yes, they all worked! Read more about the project below.
Origami Style Papercraft Fabergé Eggs for Easter Campaign with Aldi Supermarkets
I love the live use of Origami and Paper Sculpture and have collaborated with many agencies and brands over the years on experiential campaigns, but this one was a bit different! I created over 100 huge and iconic Fabergé style eggs from branded paper, each with its own lock and key, and yes, they all worked! Read more about the project below.
Low poly origami style 9ft high replica of UK’s oldest amateur footballer with Stannah Stairlifts
Stannah Stairlifts commissioned us to create this huge replica of Dickie Borthwick, the self-acclaimed oldest amateur footballer in the UK, to celebrate older age with its freedom to uniquely express one’s truest self.
Low poly origami style 9ft high replica of UK’s oldest amateur footballer with Stannah Stairlifts
Stannah Stairlifts commissioned us to create this huge replica of Dickie Borthwick, the self-acclaimed oldest amateur footballer in the UK, to celebrate older age with its freedom to uniquely express one’s truest self.
Low poly origami style 9ft high replica of UK’s oldest amateur footballer with Stannah Stairlifts
Stannah Stairlifts commissioned us to create this huge replica of Dickie Borthwick, the self-acclaimed oldest amateur footballer in the UK, to celebrate older age with its freedom to uniquely express one’s truest self.
Edible Origami Grasshopper and Locusts for Knorr Social Media Campaign
Since a child I have always loved folding wrapper for sweets and chocolates, turning shiny foils that are normally chucked away into tiny birds, flowers and other animals. In this project I got to do something similar, but this time I was actually folding the food! Yep, edible Origami!
Origami Style Papercraft Fabergé Eggs for Easter Campaign with Aldi Supermarkets
I love the live use of Origami and Paper Sculpture and have collaborated with many agencies and brands over the years on experiential campaigns, but this one was a bit different! I created over 100 huge and iconic Fabergé style eggs from branded paper, each with its own lock and key, and yes, they all worked! Read more about the project below.
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With the 2 camera set up, it was so easy to follow!
With the 2 camera set up, it was so easy to follow!


"My team at Google organised an hour of Origami with Michael and we thoughly enjoyed it! Definitely a recommendation !"
"My team at Google organised an hour of Origami with Michael and we thoughly enjoyed it! Definitely a recommendation !"

Found something here that intrigues you?
Found something here that intrigues you?
We're always keen to talk new projects, so whether its an online event, a new physical campaign or even a charitable project, drop us a line and we'd love to talk more!
We're always keen to talk new projects, so whether its an online event, a new physical campaign or even a charitable project, drop us a line and we'd love to talk more!
"Papershake work with creative agencies in the UK and worldwide, creating original origami for advertising, events and PR as well as hosting 5 star online origami workshops and experiences"
Michael Trew
Papershake Origami
INFO
Papershake Limited
Studio 3
Yoyo Yard
36 Cheltenham Place
Brighton
BN1 4AB
07715 640 251
© 2024 All Right Reserved by Papershake
"Papershake work with creative agencies in the UK and worldwide, creating original origami for advertising, events and PR as well as hosting 5-star online origami workshops and experiences"
INFO
Papershake Limited
Studio 3
Yoyo Yard
36 Cheltenham Place
Brighton
BN1 4AB
07715 640 251
© 2024 All Right Reserved by Papershake
Papershake Limited
Studio 3
Yoyo Yard
36 Cheltenham Place
Brighton
BN1 4AB
07715 640 251
© 2024 All Right Reserved by Papershake
"Papershake work with creative agencies in the UK and worldwide, creating original origami for advertising, events and PR as well as hosting 5 star online origami workshops and experiences"
Michael Trew
Papershake Origami
Papershake Limited
Studio 3
Yoyo Yard
36 Cheltenham Place
Brighton
BN1 4AB
07715 640 251
© 2024 All Right Reserved by Papershake