Origami
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Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding. The term stems from the Japanese words “ori,” meaning “folding,” and “kami,” meaning “paper.” The goal of origami is to turn a piece of paper into a small sculpture through various folding techniques.
Beginning to create origami is simple. All you need is a flat, square piece of paper and a pattern to follow.
There are many types of origami papers, typically categorized by GSM, or “grams per square meter.” Papers with lower GSMs are more delicate but easier to fold, while papers with higher GSMs are more sturdy but harder to fold. The GSM of the paper you use is based on personal preference. If you are worried about tearing, stick with a higher GSM. If you are more concerned about foldability, a paper with a lower GSM is the way to go.
To understand the scale a bit, here are some examples. A standard piece of printer paper typically has a GSM of 90 to 100. The thick cardstock used for business cards is typically 350 to 400 GSM. More delicate papers
The most traditional type of origami paper is called “Kami,” and it’s probably the best type of paper to start with. It is colored on one side and white on the other. You should be able to find packs of 100 sheets at your local craft store.. Once you get the hang of things, you can move on to some fancier paper. Origami paper can be patterned, metallic, and have all different textures.
And, if you don’t want to invest in origami paper, you can just cut a piece of paper you have at home! Take a ruler to measure out a square, then cut the paper to the right dimensions with a pair of scissors. And there you have it – your very own origami paper.
Once you have your paper, you need to find a pattern before you can begin folding. The easiest way to do this is to find a pattern online. Here are some free websites that are chock-full of origami patterns and instructions:
If you’re overwhelmed by the number of pattern options and don’t know where to start, that is ok! One of the most well-known and traditional patterns is the origami crane. They are a symbol of good fortune and a long life in Japanese culture, and are a great place for you to get started.
Discover more of Talo’s origami @talo.kawasaki.