Inventing Models

[Baltorigamist]

(Ghost Orchid's on hold for now, sorry) but just today I decided I wanted to do a chimera. I had no clue how I would fold it initially, except for that I knew the structure and had a decent idea of paper allocation. So I just chose a reference point to use, began folding, and I had a workable base within about an hour. It's one of my most complex models to date, and it was mostly by chance. So yes, it takes ingenuity and experience, but chance should not be ignored by any means.

[Cadix]

Personally, I find serendipity to be great fun when folding. I enjoy manipulating the paper in ways I might not have thought of, or that has a particular pattern just to see what happens. I would assume it also helps one develop intuition regarding folding as well. That said, it is awfully satisfying to have a goal and achieve it.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is that on the scale of fun and wonder, I rather like folding by happy accident.

Granted, I just completed what is probably the closest thing to a full design I've ever done:



I like to think it was 50/50 luck and thought, though perhaps my brain is giving itself to much credit

(Wasn't sure if this was an okay place to post small pictures of my recent design. If not, let me know.)

[Romie Halabaso]

I usually start with an idea that needs developing, and sometimes in the process I end up with something completely different. I'm generally pleased when I discover a new model that I wouldn't have come up with by planning alone .

I also experience this, very often.

For me, there are basically three levels of origami designing, as follows:

Level I- You play around with or modify an existing base, aimlessly, without any subject in mind until you arrive at something. This is pure doodling. And beginners usually resort to this.
Level II - You think of a subject, and then choose an existing base that best suits it, modifying the base as necessary.
Level III - You think of a subject and design/invent the most appropriate base for it. Technical folders and master origamists are at this stage.

I think the key to achieving progress in origami designing is (a) increasing one's knowledge/database of existing bases -- and this means you have to keep on researching and folding as many models as you can, and keep an inventory of bases and regularly update it; and (b) increasing one's knowledge and skills in various methods folding techniques -- box pleating, using different angles, grafting, etc. - as well as planning/designing techniques -- circle packing, crease pattern making, etc.

[Harpseal]

In my batmobile, i had an idea of how to do it, which was very complicated. The second time i folded it, i finished with the same results, just more simply. I carried on from the simpler route, developing on it, to make the model better, and less-simple. I don't know if anyone understood this but if you did, well done.

[Harpseal]

I'm a bit confused by those levels- i do everything in level three most of the time, just nothing i invent is complicated and amazing. Am i like at level 3c or level 3- while master origamists are at 3a or 3+? Because i do everythin in level 3, just not with satoshi kamiya style success.

[maddoghoek100]

R is hitting on the most important thing, which is always be learning from the community. Inspiration comes from strange places, but a strong foundation in the fundamentals and understanding the work of those who have come before is crucial. Personally a finished design has never taken me less than 50 tries. I usually design the basic structures in one or two passes, but final shaping and designing a repeatable folding process takes me time and effort. Often if you have a target skill level you can't take the direct routes.

I was sitting with a very acomplished origami author a few weeks ago and he was working on a new dragon model for the year of the dragon. He was just finishing up and was asking how he should finish it. I said why don't you do it the way Eric joisel always finished it. He said damn. Completely independently he had hit on almost the exact same model as another Creator. Moral of the story, always be learning from those that came before, and if you have nothing left to learn at least make sure they didn't have the same idea first.

[Harpseal]

I hate it when you end up copying someone else by mistake. Look at my fireflower (2nd arf url, 3rd one down, i think)

[GWB origami]

i'm probably at level three. i usually think of a really cool model, then unfold it in my head, look at the crease pattern and fold it. i heard satoshi kamiya does this sometimes. nobody will probably understand this.

[Baltorigamist]

That's sort of what I do--think of how to fold it (paper distribution, etc.) and just fold it. Though I frequently just improvise.

[gab]

A lot of times a traditional base ends up working fine for what I'm trying to fold. At first I think that means I'm not a truly creative designer, but then I realize, hey, why reinvent the wheel? The important thing is the end result, and if a traditional base gets you the best result, there's nothing wrong with that.

I'm in the middle of reading through Lang's Origami Design Secrets (and taking copious notes). Sometimes I develop a new base by "stitching together" existing uniaxial bases. I also go into box pleating sometimes, with mixed results. Last night I went through all the "help" material for TreeMaker, so with any luck I'll be using that a lot in the future. And I agree - the best thing is to learn from the community. Stand on the shoulders of giants.

[Baltorigamist]

I consider myself pretty proficient at designing via packing, even if I haven't mastered the 22.5deg structure yet, so I'm moving on to more color-changed models. For example, a few Pokemon, an OC one of my friends created (and yes she gave me premission), etc.

[Harpseal]

I just fiddle with a base, existant or made up, until i get a shape that looks like something, then i head towards that.

[Boonwagon]

Boxpleating and circle packing are the best ways to design.

[Harpseal]

I have recently fallen in love with a diagonal box pleat (i think that's what it is) anyway, to see what i mean, look for the fireflower, 2nd arf url.

[roodborst]

The models I created so far where all from the same base. It happened accidently. Usually I make a model by some other creator using diagrams. Then the next day or so I try it again only by memory.5 steps I'll get stuck after 15 steps or so, and from that point it's up to me to get something out of it. Or I find a model wich uses a technique I haven't seen before, and then i fiddle around with it until get something.
Yesterday I tried something else. I wanted a dragon head, so I started with making that. Now I had a head on the diagonal with two legs on the sides, and the rest of the square was unused. But now IK also needed two more legs and a tail. Remembering the chocobo by kamiya, I now had a similar step, so I changed the dragon into a bird instead.
I'm wondering how you people start. Do you start with like say 'a head' in mind then you fold that and see where that gets you, or do you really plan a ahead and think about how the rest of the flaps should fal to create body and limps at the same time?
I know, it's not the 'best' way to design, but since I'm only just starting to design my own models, I think it's ok. Level 1 I'm supposed. Making variations on other peoples bases and then see where it takes you. And you always use what you have seen before. My wolf design, uses some folds I've seen in a model by Kamiya, some of Montroll and something Joisel uses in it's Rat.
Yesterday I added a crimp in my base, so you got a square, with like extra flap on head and tail, then folded my same base with the square on the middle, and created I dragon.
Guess I'm just trying new things, see what the effect is, and learning step by step.