PAPERSHAKE BLOG:
Explorations in Origami Design
Explorations in Origami Design – Origami Terrier Design Process (Inspired by Hideo Komatsu's Pig)
Explorations in Origami Design – Origami Terrier Design Process (Inspired by Hideo Komatsu's Pig)
Summer 2021




As part of my daily work life during Lockdown I am trying to regularly fold a new model from one of my favourite designers – I will write another post on this, but I find that simply making a model from diagrams (not YouTube!) is one the most calming things I can do for my own mental wellbeing.
After folding the model a few times to get a sense of it, I like to think about the structure of the model and how it has been designed. Was there a certain base that the designer used, or certain moves that felt new to me? Perhaps I think in terms of circle packing and tree theory as described by Robert Lang in the epic Origami Design Secrets and work out where each point originates from on the unfolded square. Or I gently consider the structure in terms of the Maekawa model of origami design (folding molecules) that designers like Hideo Komatsu and Fumiaki Kawahata use to such great effect.
Once I have a sense of the model like this, I like to experiment with other ways of folding using the same basic idea – a kind of Mozart-style “variations upon a theme”
This week I have enjoyed folding the Pig from Hideo Komatsu’s amazing book, “Works of Hideo KOMATSU” published by Origami House in Japan (小松英夫作品集・おりがみはうす). I particularly like Komatsu’s models because of the flowing folding sequences, and the very iconic and classic Origami feel of the final forms, with many triangles and quads that could look very mathematical and even dull but seem to take on a life of their own. I highly recommend them if you’ve not folded his models before.
The model begins with a simple pig base, very much like the classic origami pig itself, but with a series of satisfying folds, and soon evolves into a very cute and characteristic and original model.

I was taken by how the back legs and tail work (all using basic 22.5-degree geometry), and so decided to explore other animals that could be made using the “base” that Komatsu offers in this model. It wasn’t long before I had some stubby, stocky legs instead, and from there decided to shorten the whole model and use the excess paper to make a neck and head instead – the little dog form was born!
Initially, I used 2 colour paper and had a model that resembled an Alsatian puppy, and then for the second version I made it more like a Terrier. I’m very happy with how they turned out, and will get the basic diagrams down in my notebook for future reference.
Origami design often looks like an impossible task and I’m often asked, “How do you come up with the models”, but hopefully this gives you a glimpse into some of the conscious and subconscious thought processes that I use when designing a new model, and maybe give you a bit more confidence in your own explorations.
As part of my daily work life during Lockdown I am trying to regularly fold a new model from one of my favourite designers – I will write another post on this, but I find that simply making a model from diagrams (not YouTube!) is one the most calming things I can do for my own mental wellbeing.
After folding the model a few times to get a sense of it, I like to think about the structure of the model and how it has been designed. Was there a certain base that the designer used, or certain moves that felt new to me? Perhaps I think in terms of circle packing and tree theory as described by Robert Lang in the epic Origami Design Secrets and work out where each point originates from on the unfolded square. Or I gently consider the structure in terms of the Maekawa model of origami design (folding molecules) that designers like Hideo Komatsu and Fumiaki Kawahata use to such great effect.
Once I have a sense of the model like this, I like to experiment with other ways of folding using the same basic idea – a kind of Mozart-style “variations upon a theme”
This week I have enjoyed folding the Pig from Hideo Komatsu’s amazing book, “Works of Hideo KOMATSU” published by Origami House in Japan (小松英夫作品集・おりがみはうす). I particularly like Komatsu’s models because of the flowing folding sequences, and the very iconic and classic Origami feel of the final forms, with many triangles and quads that could look very mathematical and even dull but seem to take on a life of their own. I highly recommend them if you’ve not folded his models before.
The model begins with a simple pig base, very much like the classic origami pig itself, but with a series of satisfying folds, and soon evolves into a very cute and characteristic and original model.

I was taken by how the back legs and tail work (all using basic 22.5-degree geometry), and so decided to explore other animals that could be made using the “base” that Komatsu offers in this model. It wasn’t long before I had some stubby, stocky legs instead, and from there decided to shorten the whole model and use the excess paper to make a neck and head instead – the little dog form was born!
Initially, I used 2 colour paper and had a model that resembled an Alsatian puppy, and then for the second version I made it more like a Terrier. I’m very happy with how they turned out, and will get the basic diagrams down in my notebook for future reference.
Origami design often looks like an impossible task and I’m often asked, “How do you come up with the models”, but hopefully this gives you a glimpse into some of the conscious and subconscious thought processes that I use when designing a new model, and maybe give you a bit more confidence in your own explorations.
Michael Trew
Summer 2021
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.
5 STAR RATED ONLINE EXPERIENCES WITH PAPERSHAKE ORIGAMI
150+ Online Events hosted in all every time zones since 2020



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