Concept Into Case Study Part II

WHY ORIGAMI?

Origami is another transformable object, similar to the hoberman sphere. I chose origami because of its transformable element, it’s created using the folding of paper - a material that seems so delicate but, can hold itself and prove that it can be just as strong. The techniques behind origami is also fascinating - a piece of flat paper can be manipulated in various ways without having to use glue or extra materials.

WHAT IS ORIGAMI?

It’s a process of folding different types of paper and transforming it into something else.

WHO INVENTED IT AND WHY WAS IT CREATED?

This process of folding paper was first used in Japan, which then inspired others and was spread world wide. For example, German educator Fredrich Froebel was one of the first people to spread this finding. He also had three basic types of folds; the fold of life, the folds of truth and the folds of beauty. These were then introduced into Japan and Japanese schools. It was around this time when the word origami began to emerge to describe recreational folding. Others were then inspired by this technique and so incorporated it into their schools and practices. For example, the Bauhaus used paper folding to help train their students into commercial design.

TYPES OF ORIGAMI:

There are different types of origami, all of which are used for a range of purposes.

• Action origami - has moveable parts

• Modular origami - made of several sheets of paper

• Business card origami

• Dollar bill origami - this is not only confined to the dollar.

• Candy wrapper origami -used for sweet wrapping

• Wet folding origami - working with the paper whilst its wet, which increases its durability.

• Functional Origami - can be used for a range of things, e.g. place mats, quilts etc.

HOW CAN I INCORPORATE THIS INTO MY DESIGN?

I really like this idea of only using one material/object which can then be transformed and manipulated into something else. This object then becomes multi-functional - an element I want to incorporate into my design. I want my space to be transformable and flexible. Additionally, throughout my design I want to be conscious of the environment and ensuring sustainability is another key part. The material used in creating origami structures is paper - a recyclable material, therefore very sustainable.

KEYWORDS INTO CASE STUDY PART II

This is the second process of my concept development. My second case study has similarities to my first one, keeping this idea of ‘transformable design’ at the forefront. The second case study will be analysing origami.