Origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, is a fun and rewarding hobby that anyone can enjoy. With just a few simple folds, you can create beautiful and intricate shapes, from simple animals to complex geometric designs. In this article, we’ll show you how to make an origami octahedron, a fascinating polyhedron with eight sides and six vertices.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced folder, this origami project is a great way to challenge yourself and learn new folding techniques. So grab a square sheet of paper and follow along with us as we guide you through the steps of creating your own origami octahedron.
Before we dive into the folding process, let’s gather the materials we’ll need: a square piece of paper (ideally origami paper, but regular printer paper will work too), a flat surface to fold on, and a pair of scissors (optional, for trimming the paper if necessary).
How to Make an Origami Octahedron Step-by-Step
Follow these 8 simple steps to create your own origami octahedron:
- Start with square paper.
- Make preliminary folds.
- Unfold and refold.
- Form the first pocket.
- Make second pocket.
- Fold in half.
- Unfold and squash fold.
- Complete the octahedron.
With patience and practice, you’ll be able to create this fascinating geometric shape in no time.
Start with square paper.
The first step in making an origami octahedron is to start with a square piece of paper. This can be origami paper, which is specially designed for folding and comes in a variety of colors and patterns. However, you can also use regular printer paper if you don’t have origami paper on hand.
- Choose the right size paper.
The size of the paper you use will determine the size of your finished octahedron. For a small octahedron, you can use a 6-inch square piece of paper. For a larger octahedron, you can use an 8-inch or 10-inch square piece of paper.
- Cut the paper into a square.
If you’re using regular printer paper, you may need to trim it to make it a perfect square. Use a ruler and scissors to cut the paper into a square shape.
- Fold the paper in half diagonally.
Take the square piece of paper and fold it in half diagonally, from one corner to the opposite corner. Press the fold flat with your fingers.
- Unfold the paper.
After making the diagonal fold, unfold the paper back to its original square shape.
Now that you have a square piece of paper with a diagonal crease, you’re ready to start folding your origami octahedron.
Make preliminary folds.
After you have started with a square piece of paper and made the diagonal fold, it’s time to make some preliminary folds. These folds will help you create the basic shape of the octahedron.
- Fold the paper in half again diagonally.
Take the square piece of paper and fold it in half diagonally again, from the opposite corner to the opposite corner. Press the fold flat with your fingers.
- Unfold the paper.
After making the second diagonal fold, unfold the paper back to its original square shape.
- Fold the paper in half horizontally.
Take the square piece of paper and fold it in half horizontally, from one side to the other. Press the fold flat with your fingers.
- Unfold the paper.
After making the horizontal fold, unfold the paper back to its original square shape.
Now that you have made these preliminary folds, you have created a square with several intersecting crease lines. These crease lines will guide you as you continue folding the octahedron.
Unfold and refold.
After making the preliminary folds, we need to unfold and refold the paper in a specific way to create the base for the octahedron.
- Unfold the horizontal fold.
Take the square piece of paper and unfold the horizontal fold that you made earlier. The paper should now be a diamond shape.
- Fold the paper in half vertically.
Take the diamond-shaped piece of paper and fold it in half vertically, from top to bottom. Press the fold flat with your fingers.
- Unfold the vertical fold.
After making the vertical fold, unfold the paper back to its diamond shape.
- Refold the paper along the diagonal creases.
Take the diamond-shaped piece of paper and refold it along the two diagonal crease lines that you made earlier. The paper should now be a square again, but with four triangles sticking out from the sides.
These unfold and refold steps have created the basic structure for the octahedron. In the next steps, we will start to shape the octahedron by folding the triangles into the center.
Form the first pocket.
Now that we have the basic structure for the octahedron, we can start to form the first pocket. This pocket will be the base of the octahedron.
- Take one of the triangles sticking out from the sides.
Choose any one of the four triangles that are sticking out from the sides of the square.
- Fold the triangle in half.
Take the chosen triangle and fold it in half, from the tip of the triangle to the base. Press the fold flat with your fingers.
- Unfold the triangle.
After making the fold, unfold the triangle back to its original position.
- Fold the triangle into the center.
Take the unfolded triangle and fold it into the center of the square. The tip of the triangle should touch the center point of the square. Press the fold flat with your fingers.
You have now formed the first pocket of the octahedron. Repeat this process with the other three triangles, folding them into the center to form a total of four pockets. These pockets will eventually come together to create the octahedron shape.
Make second pocket.
After forming the first pocket, we need to create a second pocket on the opposite side of the octahedron.
- Take the opposite side of the square.
Locate the side of the square that is opposite to the side where you formed the first pocket.
- Fold the triangle in half.
Choose one of the four triangles sticking out from the sides of this opposite side. Fold the chosen triangle in half, from the tip of the triangle to the base. Press the fold flat with your fingers.
- Unfold the triangle.
After making the fold, unfold the triangle back to its original position.
- Fold the triangle into the center.
Take the unfolded triangle and fold it into the center of the square. The tip of the triangle should touch the center point of the square. Press the fold flat with your fingers.
You have now formed the second pocket of the octahedron. This pocket should be directly opposite the first pocket. Repeat this process with the other three triangles on this side, folding them into the center to form a total of four pockets. These pockets will eventually come together to create the octahedron shape.
Fold in half.
Once you have formed the first and second pockets on opposite sides of the octahedron, it’s time to fold the model in half to bring the two pockets together.
To do this:
- Open up the model.
Carefully unfold the model so that it lies flat, with the two pockets facing upwards. - Align the pockets.
Make sure that the two pockets are aligned directly opposite each other, with the open sides facing each other. - Fold the model in half.
Grasp the model from the sides, near the pockets, and bring the two halves together. Fold the model in half along the center crease, ensuring that the pockets overlap. - Press the fold.
Once you have folded the model in half, press down on the crease firmly to ensure that it is secure. You can use your fingers or a bone folder to flatten the crease.
By folding the model in half, you have brought the two pockets together and created the basic shape of the octahedron. In the next steps, we will refine the shape and complete the octahedron.
Unfold and squash fold.
After folding the model in half, we need to unfold it and make a “squash fold” to refine the shape of the octahedron.
To do this:
- Unfold the model.
Carefully unfold the model so that it lies flat again, with the two pockets facing upwards. - Locate the center crease.
Find the center crease that you made when you folded the model in half. This crease should run vertically down the center of the model. - Make a squash fold.
On one side of the center crease, take the top layer of paper and fold it down towards the center crease. Then, take the bottom layer of paper and fold it up towards the center crease. These two folds should meet at the center crease, creating a “squash fold.” - Repeat the squash fold.
Repeat the squash fold on the other side of the center crease, so that you have two squash folds, one on each side of the center crease. - Press the folds.
Once you have made the squash folds, press down on the creases firmly to ensure that they are secure. You can use your fingers or a bone folder to flatten the creases.
By making the squash folds, you have refined the shape of the octahedron and brought the sides closer together. In the next step, we will complete the octahedron by tucking in the remaining flaps.
Complete the octahedron.
Now that we have made the squash folds, we need to tuck in the remaining flaps to complete the octahedron.
To do this:
- Fold in the side flaps.
On each side of the octahedron, there should be two small triangular flaps sticking out. Fold these flaps inward, tucking them behind the adjacent faces of the octahedron. - Fold in the top and bottom flaps.
At the top and bottom of the octahedron, there should be two larger triangular flaps. Fold these flaps inward as well, tucking them behind the adjacent faces of the octahedron. - Press the folds.
Once you have tucked in all the flaps, press down on the creases firmly to ensure that they are secure. You can use your fingers or a bone folder to flatten the creases.
By tucking in the flaps, you have completed the octahedron. You should now have a fully formed octahedron with eight sides and six vertices.
Congratulations! You have successfully folded an origami octahedron. Enjoy your new creation and try folding other origami shapes to explore the fascinating world of paper folding.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about origami art:
Question 1: What is origami?
Answer: Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding. It is a creative and challenging hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Origami artists use a variety of folding techniques to create beautiful and intricate shapes, from simple animals to complex geometric designs.
Question 2: What materials do I need to do origami?
Answer: All you need to do origami is a piece of paper. Origami paper is specially designed for folding and comes in a variety of colors and patterns. However, you can also use regular printer paper if you don’t have origami paper on hand.
Question 3: Is origami difficult to learn?
Answer: Origami can be challenging at first, but with practice, anyone can learn to fold basic shapes. There are many resources available to help beginners learn origami, such as books, websites, and video tutorials. Once you have mastered the basics, you can move on to more complex folds and designs.
Question 4: What are some popular origami folds?
Answer: Some popular origami folds include the bird base, the fish base, the frog base, and the cube base. These basic folds can be used to create a wide variety of origami models. As you become more experienced in origami, you can learn more advanced folds and techniques to create even more intricate designs.
Question 5: What are some of the benefits of doing origami?
Answer: Origami has many benefits, including improving hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, and problem-solving skills. It can also be a relaxing and meditative activity. Additionally, origami can be a great way to express your creativity and make unique gifts for friends and family.
Question 6: Where can I learn more about origami?
Answer: There are many resources available to help you learn more about origami. You can find books, websites, and video tutorials that teach various origami folds and techniques. You can also find origami classes and workshops in many communities.
Question 7: How can I improve my origami skills?
Answer: The best way to improve your origami skills is to practice regularly. Start with simple folds and gradually move on to more complex designs. You can also challenge yourself by trying to fold models from different cultures or by using different types of paper. With practice and dedication, you can become a skilled origami artist and create beautiful and intricate origami models.
Origami is a fascinating and rewarding hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a little practice, you can learn to fold amazing origami creations that will impress your friends and family.
Now that you know more about origami, here are a few tips to help you get started:
Tips
Here are a few practical tips to help you get started with origami:
Tip 1: Start with simple folds.
Don’t try to start with complex models right away. Begin with simple folds, such as the bird base or the fish base. These basic folds will help you develop the skills and techniques you need to tackle more challenging models later on.
Tip 2: Use good quality paper.
The type of paper you use can make a big difference in the outcome of your origami model. Origami paper is specially designed for folding and is easier to work with than regular printer paper. It is also stronger and holds creases better.
Tip 3: Be patient and persistent.
Origami can be challenging at first, but with practice, you will improve your skills and be able to fold more complex models. Don’t get discouraged if you can’t fold a model perfectly the first time. Keep practicing and you will eventually be able to master it.
Tip 4: Use your creativity.
Origami is a great way to express your creativity. Once you have mastered the basics, you can start experimenting with different folds and techniques to create your own unique origami models. You can also use origami to decorate your home or make gifts for friends and family.
With a little practice and patience, you can learn to create beautiful and intricate origami models. So what are you waiting for? Get started today and discover the amazing world of origami!
Origami is a fun and rewarding hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a great way to challenge your mind, improve your hand-eye coordination, and relax. With a little practice, you can learn to create amazing origami creations that will impress your friends and family.
Conclusion
Origami is a fascinating and rewarding art form that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. With just a piece of paper, you can create beautiful and intricate shapes that are both visually appealing and intellectually stimulating.
In this article, we have explored the basics of origami, from choosing the right paper to making preliminary folds. We have also provided step-by-step instructions for folding an origami octahedron, a fun and challenging project for beginners and experienced folders alike.
Whether you are new to origami or a seasoned folder, we encourage you to continue exploring this amazing art form. There are countless origami models to discover, from simple animals to complex geometric designs. With a little practice and dedication, you can learn to fold amazing origami creations that will impress your friends and family.
So grab a piece of paper and start folding! The world of origami is waiting for you to explore.
