Origami can seem very intimidating and difficult, if not impossible, to do especially when you see more masterful pieces of origami; however, origami can be easy if you follow a few simple rules. While any new hobby or venture will likely seem intimidating and difficult at first, with patient learning and perseverance, you will get better at doing origami and you will enjoy it more as you improve your skills. Below you will find a few simple tips for making origami easy. Once you combine your desire to learn origami with these tips, your interest in origami will likely increase along with your appreciation for the art of paper folding.
* Use origami paper – Origami paper is intended to make folding and creating origami easier. Origami paper, cut to the exact square shape that you will need to begin almost every origami project, is thinner than regular office paper. Many origami papers also come with patterns or colors on one side which not only makes for a more interesting and colorful shape but also provides a guide so you know whether or not you are working on the correct side of the shape when you are doing your folding, based on whether or not the colored side is facing you.
* Follow instructions – Origami instructions are intentionally very detailed to guide you through each and every necessary to create the origami shape that you want. Some instructions, such as those that tell you to fold then unfold, may seem redundant, pointless, or silly and you might be tempted to skip them. Do not do this, as following the instructions exactly is crucial to creating your origami shape. If you cannot follow instructions, there are few other things that you can do to get better at origami.
* Use diagrams – For visual learners, it is difficult to see how a bunch of folds can create an origami figure as they have a hard time visualizing instructions in order to apply them to the folding they are doing. This is why diagrams, simple drawings of exactly what shapes you should be making with each fold, can be useful. Some diagrams include dotted lines that help you see where the creases in your paper should be. These visuals can help you see what the finished project should look like; they can also serve as checks to make sure that you are getting to the points where you need to be for every step.
* Make folds exact and crease well – Attention to detail is important in origami, as sloppy folds or weak creases can end up making a mess of an origami project. Every step must be done with precision if the end product is to be perfect every time. It will take time to perfect good, strong folds so it is important to remain committed to trying your hardest to memorize the details.
* Practice, practice, practice – Just like anything you want to get better at, it will take time and practice to really get good at making origami. As you practice basic origami skills and become better at the various folds and paper manipulations, you will find that what was once very difficult has become much easier.