Basics of Origami - II
This is the third post in "The Art of Origami" series.
- Aravind Maddireddy
In this post, I shall discuss the basic folds used in Origami that enable us to develop the complex models. Use the folding instructions in the previous post to practice these simple folds.
Mountain fold
A mountain fold is basically folding a part of the paper behind, creating a mountain-like structure.
This is the third post in "The Art of Origami" series.
- Aravind Maddireddy
In this post, I shall discuss the basic folds used in Origami that enable us to develop the complex models. Use the folding instructions in the previous post to practice these simple folds.
Mountain fold
A mountain fold is basically folding a part of the paper behind, creating a mountain-like structure.
Valley fold
A valley fold is the reverse of a mountain fold, a valley like structure created by folding a part of the paper towards the folder.
A valley fold is the reverse of a mountain fold, a valley like structure created by folding a part of the paper towards the folder.
Inside reverse fold
A mountain fold and the valley fold are the simple folds. The more complicated folds are called combination folds as they employ one or more simple folds. Inside reverse fold is the simplest of the combination folds. This is simply folding a flap such that the tip of the inside is reserved and it forms a beak-like structure.
A mountain fold and the valley fold are the simple folds. The more complicated folds are called combination folds as they employ one or more simple folds. Inside reverse fold is the simplest of the combination folds. This is simply folding a flap such that the tip of the inside is reserved and it forms a beak-like structure.
The inside reverse fold always occurs on a flap. This fold is done by doing a mountain fold on the near end, valley fold on the far end such that the spine of the flap is turned inside out. If you do not understand the terms ‘near end’, ‘far end’ or ‘spine’, please read the post 2 in this tutorial section. |
Outside reverse fold
Outside reverse fold is the opposite of the inside reverse fold. The mountain fold is on the far layer whereas the valley fold is on the near layer. This also always occurs on a flap.
Outside reverse fold is the opposite of the inside reverse fold. The mountain fold is on the far layer whereas the valley fold is on the near layer. This also always occurs on a flap.
Rabbit ear fold
Make 3 valley folds at the angular bisectors of a triangular flap and a perpendicular mountain fold from in-center to a side. Its name was derived from the way of folding the ears for an antiquated rabbit model.
Make 3 valley folds at the angular bisectors of a triangular flap and a perpendicular mountain fold from in-center to a side. Its name was derived from the way of folding the ears for an antiquated rabbit model.
A variation to the regular rabbit ear fold would be to use the valley folds at a particular angle to the base instead of angular bisectors.
Double rabbit ear
A double rabbit ear is taking a two layered flap and then making two rabbit ear folds from both the near layer as well as the far layer.
A double rabbit ear is taking a two layered flap and then making two rabbit ear folds from both the near layer as well as the far layer.
This Youtube video shows a simple demonstration of the rabbit ear and the double rabbit ear folds. However, if you still find difficulty in doing this, you can always contact us.
Squash fold
Put simply, squash fold is squashing a fold. The layers of a flap are spread to the sides and the folded edge is flattened.
Squash fold
Put simply, squash fold is squashing a fold. The layers of a flap are spread to the sides and the folded edge is flattened.
Swivel fold
There is an asymmetric version of a squash fold that earned its own name which is called swivel fold.
There is an asymmetric version of a squash fold that earned its own name which is called swivel fold.
Petal fold
We have seen that mountain folds, valley folds and rabbit ear folds, when coupled with their mirror images give a combination fold, so does the squash fold. This is called the petal fold.
We have seen that mountain folds, valley folds and rabbit ear folds, when coupled with their mirror images give a combination fold, so does the squash fold. This is called the petal fold.
Even though petal fold is only an intermediate difficulty fold, it could be considerably complex for an origami beginner. So, below is a demonstration of how to make this fold.
Petal folds, rabbit ear folds and the reverse folds are the most common types of folds encountered in any origami design. In fact they are closely related. For example, a petal fold can also be made by using reverse folds as shown:
On deeper observation, one can see that a petal fold is also closely related to rabbit folds. In fact, it is nothing but joining two rabbit ear folds. Bisecting a petal fold reveals just this.
Pleats and Crimps
Pleats and crimps are simple combinations of mountain and valley folds.
Pleats and crimps are simple combinations of mountain and valley folds.
Sink folds are the only important folds that haven’t been covered in this post. The sink folds by themselves are in a different class and are ranked as complex folds. The next post would be fully dedicated to understanding how to make sink folds.
Each of these folds has a specific purpose normally and we shall see how each of these can be used in various applications.
Sources: The pictures and the concepts shown here are taken from various sources, of which the main source is “Origami Design Secrets” by Robert J Lang.
Aravind Maddireddy is a PGP student at IIM Ahmedabad and a member of Finesse.
Each of these folds has a specific purpose normally and we shall see how each of these can be used in various applications.
Sources: The pictures and the concepts shown here are taken from various sources, of which the main source is “Origami Design Secrets” by Robert J Lang.
Aravind Maddireddy is a PGP student at IIM Ahmedabad and a member of Finesse.