These are the classes that have been submitted for teaching on Friday. Please note that teachers' plans evolve and there is no guarantee that any specific class listed here will be taught.
The Ethnobotany of Origami
Level: Not Rated
Teacher: James Lucas
Description:
Origami around the world has benefited enormously through its use of a wide variety of papers. In particular, handmade ones are especially desirable because their long fibers confer exceptional strength. However, where do these papers come from? In this lecture, I will explore the plants and people that produce the wide variety of handmade papers many origamists use today, and why that connection to origami is important. I intend to be presenting some videos that show fiber harvesting and papermaking.
Origami Brings People Together
Level: Not Rated
Teacher: Isabelle Adams
Description:
We will discuss how origami is bringing people together to save lives around the world one piece of paper at a time. Videos, photos and narrative from the Co-CEO's of PaperForWater, Isabelle Adams and Katherine Adams, describing their 8 year journey from a one month, $500 project to a million dollar NGO with hundreds of volunteers tackling the world water crisis.
Box-Pleat Crease Patterns
Level: Complex
Teacher: Boice Wong
Description:
This class is an introduction to box-pleat crease patterns and shaping using my Origami Swordsman to demonstrate. We will be shaping with glue/mc and getting the most out of regular paper for more complex models. In this class I will be instructing from beginning to end my swordsman design using printer paper. This includes precreasing, collapsing, and shaping. By taking this class, you will go home with a model and the understanding of a variety of techniques.
Special Requirements: Students should be familiar with folding intermediate level origami from diagrams on their own. We will be using printer paper which can be tough on the fingers, so bone folders could aid in creasing.
Rona’s Origami Tile Quilting
Level: Simple
Teacher: Annette Hatch
Description:
A quilt with the Jack's Blocks pattern will be taught using Rona's new system of origami paper quilting that combines simple tabbed tile modules, weaving paper strips and quilt designs. The model requires some degree of accuracy in cupboard folds.
Orizomegami
Level: Not Rated
Teacher: Yuki Martin
Description:
Orizomegami means folding and dyeing paper in Japanese. It is a paper dyeing method that is used to create patterns on liquid absorbent paper. This art form is inexpensive, accessible, and easy to learn and to achieve beautiful result. The variety of patterns that you can create are as limitless as patterns of a kaleidoscope! The finished product can be used as gift wrap, book cover, collage material, or anything else imaginable.
Special Requirements: We will be using liquid watercolors for this class so it is washable and non-toxic.
Origami Design Workshop
Level: Intermediate
Teacher: Michael Assis
Description:
In this workshop I'll present some design techniques that will be practiced in class by everyone -- in particular, border and diagonal grafting techniques. Come with enthusiasm to learn and creativity to apply the technique to create your own unique designs.
Special Requirements: Note: This class will originate remotely and will be broadcast into a PCOC classroom.
Passing It On
Level: Not Rated
Teacher: Ramsay Cowlishaw
Description:
The subtle tricks for teaching origami to the unwashed masses: Origami, while a thrill to enjoy, can be a challenge for beginners, especially if the diagrams are confusing or a teacher is out of their depth. This class will help to identify and resolve some of the challenges that teaching origami can present.
Origami Software: TNG
Level: Not Rated
Teacher: Robby Kraft
Description:
Demaine, Ku, and Lang recently (2016) invented a new origami computer file format, FOLD, and certain origami applications are beginning to support it. In this class we'll learn how to convert your designs into a FOLD file and how it can be used with ORIPA, Origami Simulator, Freeform Origami, and Rabbit Ear. We'll also talk in general about software-based design, why certain problems are easier to solve, and build an intuition about which problems can be handed off to computers and which are still best left to people. Photo credit: data-visualization of Robert Lang's Reference Finder.
New Complex Box Pleating Tools
Level: Complex
Teacher: Timothy Rickman
Description:
In this lecture, I will deconstruct my Peryton model to teach several design tools you can use in your own large grid box pleated designs. Level shifting on a 22.5 degree angle, "free" level shifters, alternate starting shapes folded from a square, and the math of digital lines are the topics of this lecture. We will not be folding the model, but rather, focusing on elements of its construction. Students will, however, receive a crease pattern of Peryton to try on their own outside of class.
Special Requirements: I recommend students be very comfortable folding complex box pleated models. Also, that they have an interest in the subject of box pleated origami design using large grids (64 x 64 and above). Students will be collapsing small sections of the model which have fairly complex structures. Materials will be provided and no preparation is required from students before class.
Robotics and Origami/Kirigami
Level: Not Rated
Teacher: Kevin Li
Description:
In my course, I will be displaying a kirigami-inspired soft robotic gripper that I conducted research on in Boston University during the summer. I will be doing a presentation on how my project bridges the gap between art and engineering, and I will also show the audience some visuals of my project while explaining the different parameters and goals I incorporated. In addition, I will present my research abstract and poster to the audience to give them more specific details if they are intrigued by my research.
Tessellation Design Methods
Level: Intermediate
Teacher: Ekaterina Lukasheva
Description:
Generalization of Huffman-style and other tessellations.
Origami Epiphany
Level: Not Rated
Teacher: João Charrua
Description:
I will give a brief talk about my journey into the world of origami and my creative process. It will be followed by some questions and discussion.
Introduction to Origami
Level: Simple
Teacher: Chila Caldera
Description:
This 2-3 hour class is intended for folders with little or no experience, who know little about origami. I will present a slide show (with folding intermixed so we don't get too bored!) that covers history, people and organizations, tools & materials, and kinds of origami. I will teach the Cup, the Cicada, the Fortune Teller, and the Masu. If there is time and interest, I will teach other simple-to-intermediate models.
Special Requirements: Students will need 6" square paper, preferably solid-color on front and white on back, 8-10 sheets; use your own or use what's provided for the class. A creasing tool might be useful if you want to save your fingernails, but not necessary. No cutting or glueing. The models taught will start with simple and progress to intermediate, depending on time and interest. All steps will be shown and some basic moves will be discussed. No prior experience is assumed.
Three Approaches to Storigami
Level: Simple
Teacher: Rachel Katz
Description:
You can amaze, entertain and educate while helping people learn and remember a model through storytelling with origami. Mae Dean Erb, Shrikant Iyer and I will present our ideas of teaching origami through storytelling. Using teaching tales, Native American stories and other techniques, we hope to inspire you to join us in spreading origami through this medium.
Special Requirements: Materials will be provided for the participants.
Designing Origami - OAS style
Level: Not Rated
Teacher: Marc Vigo
Description:
The OAS (Origami Always Succeeds) group will give a talk on its particular way of seeing origami design. All four of us will participate --Joel Garcia Moix, Enrique Martinez, Marc Vigo, and Oriol Esteve. Have you ever wanted to design your own models but never started? Have you started, only to get blocked? Do you think you don’t have it in you, that you don’t know enough bases, techniques, models? If you answered yes to any of these questions, come listen to us: you may learn of a different approach to origami creation. If you didn’t, come anyway: we might change your mind. Games and fun at the end, so bring your smartphone with you. That way you’ll be able to participate. Also if you don’t like the talk, you can surf the web instead (yep, we surf the web, that’s how old we are).
Experimenting with Water Color
Level: Not Rated
Teacher: Louise Oppenheimer-Flax
Description:
Participants will have a chance to explore water colors. We will use water to create gradients/ombre effects. We will try some wet into wet and wet onto dry. We will create textures. We will learn how to make a straight line. We will experiment with the different kinds of marks a brush can make and then figure out how we might use those marks. Check this Google docs link for some inspiring examples: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1wQ-XYGh2AzWTzZ5T-uTn4ADHZY9TXuqpYOZ1laI3rvY/edit?ts=5d56d595#slide=id.p
Special Requirements: There will be a five dollar fee for this class. This workshop is suitable for ALL levels. If you have a spray bottle in your origami kit, please bring it to class. Also, if you have a favorite frame that you like to fold, you could bring a frame for a project, but that is not a requirement.
Tessellating in Fabric
Level: Intermediate
Teacher: Madonna Yoder
Description:
We will teach basic fabric smocking techniques as they relate to origami tessellations. We will provide needles, thread, and fabric. I am co-teaching with Adrienne Sack.
Special Requirements: You should first attend the Tessellations in Fabric lecture. Basic sewing skills (can you sew a button?) and some tessellation knowledge required.
Tessellations in Fabric
Level: Not Rated
Teacher: Adrienne Sack
Description:
We will discuss the relationship between origami tessellations and centuries-old traditional fabric folding techniques and how each can inform the other. I am co-teaching this class with Madonna Yoder.
Curved Origami Designs
Level: Intermediate
Teacher: Winnie Leung
Description:
In this class, I will explain and demonstrate the methods I use - "round, squash, and sink" - to create curved geometric designs (usually tessellations).
Special Requirements: Attendees should be reasonably comfortable with folding basic origami tessellations such as the waterbomb tessellations.