These classes have been submitted and are in the approval process. Some may not appear on the final schedule.
Let’s fold a Hercules beetle. This is one of several ways to approach the model, demonstrating that there are often multiple solutions to a problem. Aside from the final shaping, the folds should come together fairly quickly.
This will be a lecture presenting my journey as an origami artist and designer of 7.5 years. What started as a child's hobby has led to the greatest experiences of my life (so far). Having experienced highs and lows with the ultimate goal to become a better origami artist and designer, this lecture will hopefully bring insight to those wondering what the experience of being an origami artist and designer is like as well as inspire others (especially young children and teenagers) to become one.
This is a fun modular ring that has a pretty color change.
The model features a simple unit, with a slightly more challenging assembly. I'll ensure that each folder either completes their model in class or leaves with the enough understanding of the model to finish it easily on their own. :)
This design is a variation of my original action squared ninja star. The four-piece modular star can be transformed to a square and back by sliding. The transformed ninja shape resembles the traditional origami ninja star design with edges.
Sakura aka Cherry blossoms are lovely and this beautiful 5 piece modular is a joy to fold. We’ll fold from Kami and both sides show.
This is an action model based on my adaptation of a traditional butterfly design. Utilizing the embedded bending diamond creases, you can use 2 fingers to make the model flap both wings. The bending diamond creases can be applied to many other new or traditional static designs.
This is a 3D origami heart with an iterative pattern. The model is built stage by stage — we’ll start by folding a big outer heart, then add one or two extra stages. If time permits, I’ll also touch on how other variations are created.
Most folders know about A4 paper and its 1 : √2 ratio, but fewer know about American letter paper and its special ratio of 4 : 3√3. In truth, that ratio hasn't got a lot of play, but it is a very excellent size for making Shuzo Fujimoto's regular tetrahedron.
This is a unique model of a peacock that we will bring gracefully to life through folding. This will be a step up for people who haven't folded complicated animals before, so I hope this brings along a new experience for many!
This advanced modular model can be assembled in a traditional 30 unit icosahedral kusudama shape. However, the beauty of this model, and others by this author, is that there is significant flexibility in which polyhedron the final product can be. This class will teach the unit and how to create a truncated hexahedron.
This piece was designed by me in late June 2025 for the convention. The version shown in the photo
is the second draft; the final version will likely resemble this. Generally nothing too difficult. There may
be some precreasing involved to get some of the outer shapes. The darkened lines show the color on
the other side the paper, but using single-color paper works as well.
It’s a sizzling summer day—what’s the sweetest way to cool down? Why, with a slice of watermelon, of course! 🍉 In this refreshing class, you’ll learn to fold a delightfully quirky watermelon box designed by the imaginative Tatsumi (S. Mitsuda). The folds are clever, the results are charming, and you’ll walk away with a cool little box that’s bursting with summery fun!
Fold a cute raccoon and learn about the design techniques that bring it to life. I’ll provide the paper.
Heart with Secret Pockets is a great way to leave a thank-you note, send a secret Valentine, wrap a money gift, or tell someone you love them. I'll teach 2 versions: first, a simple Heart with fewer pockets, and then a low intermediate Heart with a satisfying swivel fold and more secret pockets. (How many pockets? We'll count them along the way.) Folded from 6 inch kami, the finished model is 3 x 3 inches. Duo paper, in Valentine colors is best. (Note: I created the model in 2012 and submitted it to Creased magazine, unfortunately just before it stopped publication.)
A modular eight-pointed star that can be made to look various ways, depending on the paper used It
has a nice lock, and some versions show a design on both sides. This is a member of a family of stars that includes Enrica Dray's "Aurora" and my "Star Zoë". I believe this is an original model, but if someone recognizes it I would appreciate hearing that.
All (46) pictures of Mt. Fuji printed on photo paper will be folded to make a hexagonal cylinder. In addition 24"x24" paper listing the pictures and titles is used to make "Miura-Ori" handy reference note book.
This will be a nice souvenir. The cylinder model can be folded for easy transportation.
All the diagrams used during my classes will be posted at the following URL by July 6-th.
Www.takayaiwamoto.com/origami_note/newyork/2025_class.html
All pictures of Hokusai's "36 Views of Mt. Fuji" are printed on the 12 papers. The participants will make 2 modified "Columbus Cube". Time permitting, a paper on which a whole list of 46 pictures are printed will be folded to make "Miura-Ori" pattern for easy reference.
All the diagrams used during my classes will be posted at the following URL by July 6-th.
Www.takayaiwamoto.com/origami_note/newyork/2025_class.html
This is a very well designed model with clear reference points and fun to fold. I learned this model in a class of Origami Connect earlier this year and fell in love with it.
Participants will create 2 hexagonal cylinders, one with a 12th century Japanese cartoon, the other with
World Famous Hokusai's "Big Wave". Precut papers will be provided.
All the diagrams used during my classes will be posted at the following URL by July 6-th.
Www.takayaiwamoto.com/origami_note/newyork/2025_class.html
Turn a pentagon into a star framing a flower. Familiarity with bird base and open sink helpful for this class. If time permits, can fold another variation.
An intermediate turkey that folds nicely from 6" kami. The layers lock together in an interesting way and the model can balance on its feet.
Students should be comfortable with reverse folds, swivel folds, and petal folds. There is one unconventional collapse, but there's nothing too tricky. Diagrams will be provided.
A hyena with lots of color changes. The model's layers hold together nicely without any glue, so you can get an impressive result from regular kami.
Students should be comfortable folding complex models -- the sequence includes lots of open and closed sinks, an unsink, and couple of other tricky maneuvers. Students should also be comfortable with pre-creasing precisely.
A fun-to-fold model of this northernmost of whales, it lives under the polar ice cap in the Arctic Ocean. Features a color change and long spiral tusk! Works well from a variety of 8" to 12" papers.
This model incorporates simple pleating with some straight-forward flap folding/manipulation which yields a delightful result!
John will be teaching his Retro-Rocket and Flying Saucer. Both models are fully 3-D and lots of fun to fold. Easily foldable from 6" to 10" paper of many kinds.