K's Origami

Fractional Library

Origami Tips

For Beginners

Use thin and crisp paper. Origami paper (sometimes called kami) or photocopy paper will work. Don't use expensive paper at first.

Read the book from beginning. You must be familiar with the symbols and basic folds. Learn before folding.

Look at the diagrams carefully. Make sure you follow the sequence exactly as numbered. When lost, compare the diagram with the next one, and guess how to make it as described in the next diagram. If you can't figure out, begin again from the first step.

Fold neatly. Make sure the corners and/or edges meet each other accurately and precisely. Don't make haste.

Fold firmly. Fold on a solid surface and press on the creases with your fingers. Some folders use tools such as a folding-bone.

Practice and practice each model. No one can fold it well at the first time.

You can take a break when you feel tired or frustrated. Leave it until tomorrow. Enjoy origami!

For Enthusiasts

Wash your hands before you fold. It's important if you want to make a beautiful model.

Imagine how your model will look like, and choose suitable paper. Choose paper according to the model; or choose a model according to the paper.

Most models have their structures. You should understand them. And find out the best sequence. Change some folds if necessary. You don't have to follow the diagrams.

Fold rhythmically. Always be conscious of the whole sequence. To do so, you must fold from memory.

Fold in the air as far as possible, and you can feel the paper more.

Remember that paper has some thickness. Although you should fold neatly, you must give appropriate play.

Listen to the paper. Origami is collaboration of you and paper. Be friends with paper, and paper will hear you.

For Teachers

Choose the models according to not only the appetites but also the skills of the classes.

It takes three to five times longer time to teach a model than to fold it alone. Make a loose schedule.

When teaching a large class, use a large piece of paper, so that everyone can see it.

Show a completed model first. It will motivate the classes. In addition, they can understand the purpose of each step.

If you hand diagrams to the classes, do it at the end of the class. Otherwise, they will concentrate on the diagrams, not on you. Moreover, a good sequence on the diagrams is not necessarily suitable to teach. You can change the sequence if necessary.

Make sure whether everyone is doing well at every step. If a student makes a mistake, it will be on the later step when s/he will find something is wrong. Then, you must go back to correct it.

People have their own learning style. Some like to learn by looking. Some like by listening, and some by doing. So, describe each step in different ways. Not only show the actual folds, but also explain it in words and/or draw diagrams.

Leave the action models, such as an airplain, until the last of the class. Otherwise, they won't stop playing and you cannot proceed to the next model.

K's Origami > Fractional Library > Origami Tips
Hatori Koshiro (Koshiro is my first name.)