The Origami Forum

hi i was thinking i could try designing my first origami model and i wondered if anybody had any idea what i could design and some tips

As someone who has not been designing for too long and with not such great models yet, I think I have some advice, at least how I started. I think, unless you have ODS (which I do not), that you should start 1 of 2 ways.

The first is to think of something very simple you might want to create, and maybe think of a regular base to create it with. An example might be like a giraffe from a fish or kite base.

The second, is also to begin with perhaps a very simplified form of something you might want to create later. Then try to create a crease pattern with the points necessary for that. An example from me is that I knew I wanted to try humanoid figures and my first task was just to create a model with 2 arms 2 legs a head and a body, no details. I went a step up next and added little wings. I used boxpleating for this, and oripa to map where the points went, but again the model was realllyyy simple, like an 8x8 grid or something. If you have no experience with crease patterns, this option probably is not the way to go.

If you have ODS, then read it! Although by creating this topic I assume you do not. So this is my advice, take it or leave it, either way good luck!

I've only just started designing. For me, the easiest way has been to play around with a base or a set of folds that I like until it starts to resemble something! Maybe creating would be a better term than designing, since I don't have an aim when I set out. But I think it helps you to explore the possibilities of the paper, and is easier than just starting with a blank sheet.

chris_t wrote:I've only just started designing. For me, the easiest way has been to play around with a base or a set of folds that I like until it starts to resemble something! Maybe creating would be a better term than designing, since I don't have an aim when I set out. But I think it helps you to explore the possibilities of the paper, and is easier than just starting with a blank sheet.

Thats EXACTLY what I do!

The rose, 1st origami I made
The beetle, 2nd one.
The crane is just a modification.

You can see they're simple, the beetle is based on a 16x16 grid and it has color change on the legs and the horns. The rose is made from a preliminary base.
I suggest you to start playing with box-pleating and traditional bases and figures, that's what I'm doing right now.
The rose you see in the image was just a mistake, I was trying to make a snowflake and I asked myself "what happens if I do this..." turned out to be a rose, not the snowflake I was expecting (not bad anyway )
The beetle wasn't a mistake, I wanted to make it, turned out to be quite good (for me)
The crane is just something I wanted to make because the original crane looks kind of "flat" and boring.

And the "idea" I think we can't help you with that, you must think of something you would like to make.

I've got one more suggestion: If you know anything about boxpleating, try designing with it! It is much easier than most other techniques, when it comes to simple models.

What kind of models do you like to fold? I think the type of models you like to fold become influences for the models you start to create. For example, I'm passionate about containers, like boxes and envelopes. That helped me start thinking in a way that allowed me to imagine (and try out) container designs.

Ironically, my very first creation was an animal, a condor to be exact. It's the only animal I've ever created, for now at least. Before I tried creating it, I simply started folding every animal model from a book. When I finished them, I felt super ready to try out my task. I think they all become influences.

And last, you might want to check out Neorigami, the blog for creators. You can see different creations from people like you. Many of them are just starting, like this Dino which was the first creation from robin-rpj.

I hope all this helps . Best wishes on your creation!