Origami for Beginners: Step-by-Step Guide – Here is a step-by-step guide to origami for beginners so you can become a pro at this art form as well!
In our generation when we have some extra time on our hands, we tend to spend it on our phones or binge-watching some new Netflix series. However, even as adults, many people still struggle with switching hobbies and trying to find something productive – but failing to do so. Most of the time, it is because hobbies come from learned skills, and not everyone has the time to learn a new skill during their busy schedule. Other times, people only associate hobbies with kids and find unfruitful things to kill their time.
In such cases, there is only one good thing to do: engage yourself in arts and crafts. Arts and crafts are not only a healthy and super productive hobby for kids but also for adults. And among arts and crafts comes a very easy yet unique skill to learn, called origami. If you have already heard about origami, you must know it is the art that involves folding paper. If you think origami is an intricate art form, you are somewhat correct, but if you think it’s too late to learn it, you are definitely wrong.
Therefore, if you are interested but only scared to learn, don’t worry. We are here for you! This is origami for beginners, and we have brought you a step-by-step guide for some basic-level origami. So without further ado, let’s get to it!
What is Origami?
As you must know already, origami is a type of art that involves folding paper. It is an ancient Japanese art form that got picked up by Europeans and became popular worldwide. The word origami literally translates to its generic description – in Japanese, “oru” to fold (or bend), and “kami” means paper, which literally means folding paper.
In origami, people use various paper folding techniques to make 2-dimensional ass and 3-dimensional objects that can be used for multiple purposes – for example, you can use origami items as decoration pieces, props at a movie theater, or boxes store stuff.
Just like many other art forms, origami has various art styles that begin at a basic level to become more and more complex. But you don’t have to worry; as a beginner, you only need to learn the basics. The different styles of origami are:
- Realistic
- Minimal
- Modular
- Composite
- Practical
What are Some Origami Folds?
Before we make something using origami, let’s learn the basic folds that you might need in almost all of your paper creations.
1. Mountain Fold
A mountain fold is the most common type of origami fold; it is often the first step of making a paper object. A mountain fold is done by holding the two edges of the paper and bringing them together to form a crease right in the center of the paper. This fold can be vertical, horizontal, or diagonal – as long as it cuts the paper in the middle. Once the paper is folded, it is kept upright with the crease facing the top – so when you look at it from the front, you will see the paper will resemble a small mountain.
2. Valley Fold
The valley fold is the exact opposite of the mountain fold. The fold is also done right in the center of the page to divide into two halves but once creased, instead of keeping the paper upright, it is kept in the opposite direction. Hence, in a valley, fold the crease facing downward, and when you look at it from the front, you will see a “V” shape or a shape that resembles a small valley.
3. Book Fold
As the name suggests, a book fold resembles a small book or a pamphlet. A book fold is very similar to a valley or a mountain fold, but there are no restrictions to placing it. A book fold can be placed or held either way – just be careful that it must resemble a book.
4. Triangle Fold
Triangle folds are also known as shawl folds or diaper folds. Since we use a square sheet of paper for origami, we fold the square sheet of paper in half diagonally for a triangle fold. When you do so and crease the paper, you will automatically find a triangle shape.
5. Squash Fold
A squash fold is a little more complicated than the ones discussed above. We take a square-shaped base paper for a squash fold and crease the sheet right in the center. Open two flaps on either side and lift the flaps toward yourself to open them out. Now, gently push the crease and flatten the top of the flap. Make sure you align the creative with the center of the paper below it, and your squash fold is done. The only key to a squash fold is that you have to make sure it is symmetrical.
Easy Origami for Beginners Ideas
Now that we know some basic origami folds, let’s learn to make some easy origami items using a step-by-step guide of origami for beginners.
Origami Ladybug
- Step 1: Take a square sheet of paper as a base, preferably red on one side and black. Keep the red side facing toward you.
- Step 2: Turn your square paper to form a diamond. Fold it in half horizontally by holding the top corner of the paper, and bringing it to the bottom corner. You will get a triangle facing down.
- Step 3: Next, take the right corner of the triangle and take it to the left corner to get a small triangle pointing to the right.
- Step 4: Now, unfold the previous step, and make sure the crease is visible. Now take the right corner of the triangle and bring it down to the center corner following the vertical crease – just sticking out to the right a little. Repeat the same on the left side.
- Step 5: Now flip it over and fold the top corner down slightly (almost the same level as the right and left points). Fold a little bit back up to form the face of the bug.
- Step 6: Flip it upside down again, and you see the ladybug is ready!
Now wasn’t this simple? Let’s learn another one.
Origami Dog
- Step 1: Take a square-shaped piece of paper and turn it to form a diamond. Now bring the top corner to the bottom and fold it into half horizontally.
- Step 2: Now, just like we did earlier, fold the top right corner and take it to the left corner to form a smaller triangle pointing toward the right.
- Step 3: Unfold the previous step after you have the crease. Now fold the top right corner down to protrude outward a little bit. Repeat the same on the left as well – these will be the dog’s ears, so you must have an idea of what they should look like.
- Step 4: Now, take the bottom corner in the center and fold it a little bit upward – this will make the dog’s mouth area.
- Step 5: Now fold the top of the flap downward and finish the nose of the dog. To create the chin, unfold the flap that was tucked in and refold it, but this time a little lower.
- Step 6: Flip over the shape and make two thin folds on either side, right before the ears on the diagonal edges.
- Step 7: Flip the shape again, and your dog is ready. Use a sharpie to draw the eyes and color the nose black. You can also use a small pink piece of paper to make the tongue, and you’re done!
Start Practicing Origami for Beginners
We are sure you must now agree with us; origami is very simple only if you are willing to learn. It does get complex with time and the more you learn – but what doesn’t get complex with time? If you keep practicing origami for beginners like this, you will be a pro in this paper folding technique in no time. So don’t hesitate and get to it already!