Origami Design Secrets
Mathematical Methods for an Ancient Art
by Robert J. Lang · first published 2003
80% recommend20% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Widely called the best introduction to modern origami design; covers the mathematical methods behind creating new models, and suits folders interested in design, math, or practical applications.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
The magnum opus of one of the world's leading origami artists, the second edition of 'Origami Design Secrets' reveals the underlying concepts of origami and how to create original origami designs. Containing step-by-step instructions for 26 models, this book is not just an origami cookbook or list of instructions - it introduces the fundamental building blocks of origami, building up to advanced methods such as the combination of uniaxial bases, the circle/river method and tree theory.
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
…the front page. For those who are interested in the field - whether as art, for the fun of folding or the various potential practical applications - the best book on the subject by far is Robert Lang’s Origami Design Secrets[1], which is a fantastic read and covers all of these and more. Lang is a mathematician at heart but also a consummate artist. I certainly can’t recommend origami enough as a hobby. [1] https://www.langorigami.com/publication/origami-design-secre...
on “Naming Origami Models” ↗Oh there are so many good ones. Robert Lang's "Origami Design Secrets" is sort of a bible. Also, there are 2 publishers worth checking out: Origami house and Origami Shop (http://www.origami-shop.com/m_index.php)
on “Origami and Programming” ↗Robert Lang's tome Origami Design Secrets was my first non school related introduction into mathematics. I remember looking in awe at the equations in the back of the book, then I started taking math courses ... For awhile there I was almost…
on “TreeMaker: Origami Design Software” ↗…Documentary Film Festival I watched a great documentary about modern origami called Between the Folds. If you have the opportunity to see it you should take advantage. The book to read about folding is Origami Design Secrets: Mathematical Methods for an Ancient Art by Robert J. Lang.
on “The Power of Origami” ↗…interested, start by reading Robert J. Lang http://www.langorigami.com/ and Erik Demaine http://erikdemaine.org/. Origami Design Secret is the best introduction on modern techniques: http://www.amazon.com/Origami-Design-Secrets-Mathematical-Me... I also read a lot. It's not cool yet, but it will be if I get to read 100+ non-fiction books in one year. That's my goal for 2015.
on “Ask HN: What are your hobbies, and why are they cool?” ↗His previous book "Origami Design Secrets: Mathematical Methods for an Ancient Art" (https://www.amazon.com/dp/1568814364) was also really, really interesting.
on “Finding Practical Applications for Origami” ↗If you want to learn more about this stuff, the guy in the video wrote a great book called Origami Design Secrets (https://www.amazon.com/dp/1568814364/). It's certainly still the book about origami design. For something that still touches on some of this stuff but is more beginner/child friendly, I'd recommend…
on “Origami Levels of Complexity [video]” ↗I love this quote from the book "Origami Design Secrets": If you are a beginning designer, you should realize that no design is sacred. To learn to design, you must disregard reverence for another’s model, and be willing to pull it apart, fold it differently,…
on “TreeMaker: Origami Design Software” ↗…though. There's this youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx2M2bGHtXBszG6tuR_NIbQ And this book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0689822243/ I also have this book: https://www.amazon.com/Origami-Design-Secrets-Mathematical-M... But find it to be very difficult. Not for beginners by any means. That should help get you started.
on “Origami Simulator” ↗Really cool! Did you go through Robert Lang's Origami Design Secrets? Lots of neat algorithms there. Also his free and open source desktop application TreeMaker for automating origami folds just like you have here.
on “Foldmation: Interactive Origami Folding” ↗