New to Origami? Here's how to start...

"The start is what stops most people" - Anonymous

I am writing this because there are not a lot of guidances for beginners out there. I hope this post is able to guide beginners no matter their age since Origami is suitable to all!

To origamists, reasons to fold are plenty. Possible reasons being having the sense of achievement or to impress people or to kill time. All origamists had one thing in common..... and that is to START. I encourage you to take the same step to explore the Art of Paper Folding.

To begin, we will go through:

• What do you need,

• Where do you start,

• How do you improve

WHAT DO YOU NEED?

Simple! Unlike most of the other arts and craft, ALL you need is a piece of paper unless you are doing modular origami. That's it. Obvious isn't it? The cool thing is that paper can be found almost anywhere from people giving out flyers to origami papers that can be purchased cheaply!

OH AND YES! You'll also need internet access and it's crucial in the learning process.

WHERE DO YOU START?

I recommend that you start by folding and rewarding yourself with the finished the diagrams. Trust me. One of the many sources of happiness in Orgami came from the sense of achievement! So now pull any paper out and begin your journey!

Go to Youtube and type in Tadashimori or simply clicking here. His videos focuses on detailed explanation highly suitable for folders at almost any levels.

Another great channel that I have in mind would be Youtuber Jonakashima. Click here to go to his channel. He shows his creations just like Tadashimori and his videos has diagrams next to the folding. This helps you in learning to read diagrams.

HOW DO YOU IMPROVE?

Here are 4 focus points to improve the fold:

1. Techniques

2. Precision rather than speed

3. Look for books available in library and free diagrams online

4. Search for origami groups and forums

Techniques

This is what differentiate paper folding from aimless crumpling. There are many elegant solutions to creating forms and all requires techniques. Focus on the names of the techniques. Feel and familiarize how the paper are stretched to its limits. Observe how paper works when manipulated differently. Understanding the terminologies will cause to you understand the language of origami. It saves you loads of confusion and will pay off in the long run!

Precision rather than speed

Focus on precision. For beginners, it is not advised to rush through the fold for two simple reasons. 1. If not accustomed to the folds, your end product is not going to be appealing which demoralizes you. 2. You won't be focusing on the first focus point which is the technique. With experience, you will be able to understand the essence and even see in your mind the end product after each fold. So to optimize your time with learning, the above-recommended path will help you for sure. Patience is key. Haste makes waste.

Look for books available in library and free diagrams online

Actively be on a lookout for available origami books in your libraries nearby. In Singapore, You can usually find them with call number 736.982-[ART] . You can practise as much as you want and you should to improve! Practise makes perfect!

There are also many free online diagrams. You can see some examples here. There are many available diagrams online. Online tutorials like the links I had given you in the where to begin section. There are many many more fantastic tutorials online which guides you in the fold.

Search for origami groups

By searching, I mean to actively seek out through the internet. If you have any friends that folds as well, it's a blessing! One of the many forums that is active would be this. All you need is register yourself as a member and it allows you to post questions, views discussion topics and even allows you to challenge other origamists. If you can find a group in your country and have access to it, it will be excellent because you can bond with other origamists that shares similar views and it allows you to grow strong in the fold and uplift one another.

Visit other forums includes the Vietnamese Origami Forum here , Russian Origami Forums here and here !

CONCLUSION

Origami can be done anywhere and at any time as long as you have paper and begin exploring and rewarding yourself with Origami now! Keep folding and folding and folding to increase on your folding knowledge and skills. Mix with others of the same interest and focus on honing your skills and share the joy!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me and contact me or comment below!

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