The Elements of Pop-Up, A Pop-Up Book for Aspiring Paper Engineers

by David A. Carter

Here at last is the definitive book on how to make a pop-up. Every aspect of the creation of a pop-up, known as paper engineering, is clearly and thoroughly covered. All types of parallel folds, angle folds, wheels, and pull tabs are accurately detailed verbally and visually, flat and in dimension. Also included is a history of pop-ups and a step-by-step photographic essay on how a pop-up is made from start to finish. This guided tour is perfect for aspiring pop-up creators, paper engineers, students, and appreciators of this unique art form.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Art Design, Reference, Crafts, Design, Books About Books

Hardcover

First published October 1, 1999

About the author

David A. Carter is a master paper engineer and creator of the Bugs series, which has sold more than 6 million copies. Also the author and illustrator of the critically acclaimed Color series, featuring One Red Dot, Blue 2, 600 Black Spots, Yellow Square, and White Noise, he lives in Auburn, California, with his wife and two daughters.

Reviews

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well planned book for the person who wants to learn how to construct pop-up books, scenes, and even games. The sub-title is A Pop-Up Book for Aspiring Paper Engineers.

The paper engineer can learn how to fold paper into parallels in many different ways, make wheels of varying use, and make pull-tabs. The instructions are thorough and easy to follow. There's a glossary of terms - with pop-up examples - at the beginning of the book for reference.

All through the book what is taught is also actually in the book, with pop-ups as you go along. Although challenging it's great to reinforce what one learned in math class about parallels (pyramid, cube, plane, cone, cylinder, and more), trapeziums, angles, and how to apply them.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a hard time imagining models in 3-D, but the explanations are straightforward and fun to examine. The glossary with examples was very helpful. I also enjoyed the brief history of the pop up.

The templates for every pop up in Elements were just made available for free download at popupbooks.com. I'm trying a rough design with scissors - I do not have access to a laser cutter as recommended.

[Karin Carlson · Rating 3 out of 5]

excellent actual pop-ups of various kinds of folds and action elements plus discussion of the differences among them

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pop-up "dictionary" with movable examples of design elements. On my wish list to purchase!

[Johanna Cormier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent pop-up reference to making pop-ups. Every page has multiple examples well sorted so that the complexity builds.

[Rainbowgaby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good physical examples in this book for popup creation.

[Francine Fang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super useful!e

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this very kinetic book. Well done pop-up, pop-out, 3-D cards and books enchant me and I've made some simple ones for family and friends. This book does a fabulous job of colourfully, truly illustrating how to do 40 or 50 different folds. Each fold has a working example in addition to detailed instructions. This isn't like origami which looks wonderful, done properly but is the very dickens (for me at least!) to "do" successfully. The folds and how to cut and then successfully paste them into your own 3-d creation are very logical. I really recommend this book for anyone (of late grade school age or older) who'd like to create their own kinetic art. Adults would probably have to help children with the cutting, folding and pasting.

[jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

In an alternate version of my life, I imagine myself as a paper engineer. I would cut clever pop-up books all day, every day, consumed by opposite angles and die-cut flowers springing to life from the page. I would carry thick books full of unexpected scores and folds, peeling them open carefully at opportune moments to inspire wonder and awe in those around me. This book is a solid start. You can take apart the mechanics, as long as you re-attach them, and open the flaps to see the inner workings under the base layer. There's a glossary of pop-up terms, a history of pop-up books, and examples of parallel & angel folds, wheels, and pull tabs. If I weren't in the middle of a cross-country move, I could see these pop-up elements becoming a ruling force in my life.

[Cbphoenix · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm an aspiring paper engineer. I've taken online courses, watched loads of videos, and read several books on making pop-ups.

This book is BY FAR the best instruction book I've read. The entire book is on heavy cardstock and all the folds and movement devices are not just illustrated, they're the actual thing. Each one is marked with angles and explanation of how they work. This book needs to be the first one in any new paper engineer's collection.

[Jenny Schmenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

So. Dang. Nerdy. Yeah, they're "paper engineers", not artists, and they made a real boring nuts-and-bolts pop-up book about how to make pop-up books. It has little pop-up examples that you can take apart to see how they're made.

[Sukanwar khasogi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahh...this is my favorite book of pop-up, I can find all the loopholes to make pop-up..
My first thought is difficult to make a work of pop-ups and I still have a birthday card from someone who makes it to the po-up techniques
Yup..I still have it :">

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spectacular! I'll be sharing this with my design students this coming semester and incorporating it into a grad course next Spring! Just a wonderfully terrific book that makes quite clear the fundamental aspects of paper engineering - or folks who are not designers refer to as "pop-up" books.

[Kate Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a fascintating book for seeing the components of a pop-up but not very instructional if you want to learn the craft. Nor is it inspiring in suggesting the different ways to use folds or what you could make pop-up - it simply uses white card and shapes.

[Jen Dent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fun book, obviously helpful for crafting, but the more complex shapes made still out of simple paper become more impressive as you go.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one that I read a while back and still enjoy looking at it, especially now with my new found love of creating paper cards I'm hoping to make a few pop up cards!

[Nakitah]

Instructions on how to make pop-up demonstrations using different angles, folds, and engineering. Students can examine the different elements of mathematics that go into making pop-up books.

[Jomie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesomeness.

[Anya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing teaching book for pop-up papercrafting. Some descriptions are a little sparse, but the detailed pieces and labeled angles make this the best pop-up book I've ever read.

[Helen Hiebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book with tipped-in pop-up examples

[Mohammad Hanif · Rating 5 out of 5]

ok

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic resource demonstrating how pop-ups work inside and out. The more complicated and intricate mechanisms can be viewed from the 'inside', providing a rare look at how they function.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best $19 I spent all year. Excellent paper engineering how-to. Even if I never make pop-up, the book is a rare treat.

[Lily P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful tutorial for understanding and making pop up books and cards. All examples are 3D so you learn AND play.

[Dora · Rating 5 out of 5]

An all time classic, informative