Simple Beginner’s Guide to Origami
Tips & Tricks
If you’ve never done origami before or have only done it a few times in your entire lifetime, you are totally okay. Here are some tips and tricks that I have learned when I was first learning origami:
Fold simple designs first. You don’t have to worry too much if you can’t do complex origami pieces with 100 steps yet. Simple designs can still have the potential to look great and can be made faster than complex designs.
Origami doesn’t have rules. Traditionally, Japan did not use glue or scissors to add to their piece. However, you can still glue eyeballs or cut out patterns onto your origami art piece even though it’s not considered traditional origami.
Repetition is key. After doing the same origami for so long, I quickly picked up on the pattern and I started to memorize and perfect it over time. Don’t feel bad if your folds aren’t perfect the first time or even the fifth time. After much repetition, you won’t only know that pattern, but you’ll learn the different types of folds naturally as well.
Find your learning style. Personally, I learned origami through watching YouTube videos or having friends teach me. I didn’t do my best when I had to read origami instructions or look at pictures. Find your best type of learning style that works best with you and stick with it in order to avoid being confused.
Origami works with any paper. You don’t have to buy origami paper when you’re just starting. Not all designs require square shapes in origami. Also, you can cut paper to be a square easily if you wanted to. Although this is all true, I still recommend buying origami paper because it’s more convenient, saves you time, and looks more visually appealing.
Where to Start?
You can buy origami paper if you know you’ll be committed to making origami. If you only plan to create less than 5 pieces, then it is recommended that you only work with sticky notes, printer paper, notebook paper, or any other paper that doesn’t require for you to spend any money yet.
Here are some origami designs recommended for beginners:
https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/cute-origami-fish-tutorial-2540969
https://origami.guide/origami-stationery/origami-letterfolds/basic-envelope-letterfold/ (Works for any standard paper!)
https://origami.guide/origami-stationery/origami-letterfolds/bamboo-letterfold/ (Works for any standard paper!)
https://origami.guide/origami-animals/origami-reptiles/origami-turtle/
https://origami.guide/origami-vehicles/origami-boats/traditional-origami-boat/ (Works for any standard paper!)
https://origami.guide/traditional-origami/origami-drinking-cup/