Origami Design Secrets: Mathematical Methods for an Ancient Art

by Robert J. Lang

Robert J. Lang, one of the worlds foremost origami artists and scientists, presents the never-before-described mathematical and geometric principles that allow anyone to design original origami, something once restricted to an elite few. From the theoretical underpinnings to detailed step-by-step folding sequences, this book takes a modern look at the centuries-old art of origami.

Genres: Origami, Art, Mathematics, Nonfiction, Reference, Science, Crafts

594 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Joaquín Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel that this book has left me with a deep understanding of all of these silly, seemingly random folds I've been doing for decades. I get it now, I might not be able to design my own arthropod, or to do the math in the book, but I understand the principles and that leaves me inspired and with a lot of room to become a better origami folder.

This book is extremely dense. By the last two chapters, I simply had to skip reading some of the extremely complex and math-based solutions to complex folds, since there was no use trying to remember that unless I was designing my own model at the time. But the first several chapters cover incredibly useful tools. I'm also now able to better visualize how a crease pattern will collapse and what could come out of it.

If you like folding complex models, and feel like you want to understand more of how these shapes come to be, instead of simple step-by-steps to arrive at a final form, this book is a must. I feel tiny after reading it, it's a huge world of extreme complexity that I'll never master, but I can at least enjoy knowing a few of the key secrets.

[ury949]

This is like a text book of origami theory - it could easily be turned into a college level math course. Chapters on model bases, folding techniques, creating additional points to work with (like how it's possible to make a spider with eight legs out of a paper with only four corners), creating textures (plates), asymmetrical designs, different design theories; each chapter has folding instructions for models that demonstrate examples of the concept just covered. Most of these models are advanced level and may take several hours to complete. One thing I learned when approaching a new model is to practice folding it multiple times on different sizes and weights of paper until you have achieved the skill to make a final version on a well-chosen piece of paper. Not every origami model is best made with "origami paper" that you buy at the craft store.

The shared knowledge of how to fold an origami model is not what this book is about - it is about the far less discussed tactics of designing origami models - how did anyone come up with those steps in the first place? There are many crease pattern diagrams, a chapter devoted to mathematical algorithms, and an extensive and valuable reference for when you become obsessed with paper folding, as you just might after reading this book. (Yes, I want to attempt the koi fish on the cover.)

I really like this book; I tend to like math and understand it, am logic-thinking, patient and analytical. I'd recommend this book to anyone along those characteristics. I'm not sure that it would interest everyone who picked it up. I've done origami as a kid, but it's not really been a huge hobby of mine - so don't be afraid to dive into it, just don't expect it to be a walk in the park, either.

[Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be forewarned, this is NOT your average “20 origami designs for beginners!” book. The few patterns illustrated are there as examples for the text, which is substantial — and quite intelligent. The author (possibly the only living professional full-time origamist in the world — seriously, he makes a living just folding paper) does an admirable job of analyzing advanced theories of origami. As one example, the cover model - a fish *covered in individual scales* (from one piece of square paper!) – leads a chapter on how to pre-embed pattern grids into regions destined for specific surfaces. Really eye-opening possibilities here.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent how-to's and theory on the more technical aspects of origami design. There's really nothing to add.

Some of the designs are less than fascinating, but this is not a diagram book. The designs are to show techniques.

Some of the designs ARE incredible though.

[Nguyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

[Brendan Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cool. Also very well written; it's easy to follow along. The only textbook I've purchased of my own accord.

[John Tan Guan Zhong · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gem of an origami guide. I couldn't get past the first 2 chapters due to my lack of skill but i definitely recommend this to any origami hobbyist

[Lewis Munk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book, except for the fact that it is a a little hard to understand. I definitely would not recommend for children who want to learn origami.

[Arthur Quintão · Rating 5 out of 5]

TreeMaker - program (software) for the design of origami bases.

[Jordan Goff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating look at how one of the world's leading origami artists design their models. It contained topics such as point splitting, circle packing, and box pleating, along with some very nice models to demonstrate the ideas in the book. It also includes the crease patterns for numerous other models, if you are skilled enough to fold a base from a crease pattern. The only problem was that Lang just about assumed that the reader had a degree in computation and number theory, which I most certainly do not, so I was pretty much lost on his chapter about tree theory. Other than that it was a great book.

[Noah Helstrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ultimate book for fans of origami. While I don't have any aspirations to design my own origami models, this book was very educational nonetheless. I am now able to recognize patterns in the models I am folding, and I improved my ability to do some difficult folds, such as the closed sink fold. And best of all, he includes instructions for many models that are not available online, such as his hummingbird, elephant, and Black Forest Cuckoo Clock.

I'm a math nerd, so I didn't mind the textbook-style explanations of different design techniques. But for readers with lower attention spans, this is still a great book if you'd like to skim the text and advance through the models.

[Grace Bonifatti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb!!
Had a lot of fun making the Baby, I'll try the Koi next time :)

[Carmen something · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alright. The man easily surpasses the book and its content--just check out his website and work in the medical supply and air bag engineering fields.

And then read The People of Paper.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

is it fair to say you liked a book if you haven't finished it? recalled by the library, but what i read was interactive/mind expanding/fun.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting material. I am glad I figured out on my own to use papers other than origami paper and to use very large sheets for some projects, as this topic is not covered at all.

[Dogtreat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Robert J. Lang for writing the book that didn't exist. Not only is this a very interesting and entertaining guide to origami design, it has many great models to fold along the way.

[Jacob Kanev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tells you not only how to fold origmi models, but how to design them. Wonderful. Nothing more to be said.

[Travis Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

My hands are too fat for this now. I used to have such nimble fingers.