Where Art Meets Function

Throughout my graduate program, I’ve sought opportunities to explore the intersection of computational origami, creative fabrication, and functional design. This class has been uniquely transformative in that journey—truly embodying the philosophy that “you get what you put into it.”

The Evolution of My Design Approach

The course’s thoughtful progression from aesthetic theory to practical application provided the perfect framework for my creative development. Beginning with discussions on aesthetics in our initial posts and examining personal design philosophies created a foundation that informed my two major projects.

Upcycle Project: Hyperbolic Beehive

My first major endeavor was the creation of a large-scale origami hyperbolic beehive. This project allowed me to embrace purely artistic expression while tackling a significant challenge in complex origami design—the precise folding of intricate patterns at substantial dimensions.

The breakthrough came through experimentation with the laser cutter, where I discovered a technique to etch/crease my

 patterns directly onto paper several feet in dimension. This innovation dramatically:

• Reduced folding time
• Decreased difficulty in handling large-scale pieces
• Added unprecedented precision to the final work
  

  

This technique has become an invaluable addition to my creative toolkit, already proving useful in both personal projects and other coursework. The hyperbolic beehive represents not just an artistic achievement, but a methodological advancement in how I approach large-scale origami construction.

Main Project: Origami-Inspired Floor Chair

After exploring purely artistic expression, I wanted to create something functional that addressed a practical need. Living in a small studio apartment, I’ve been transitioning to floor seating and dining to maximize my limited space. This inspired me to design an origami-based floor chair that compacts completely flat for easy storage.

The project challenged me to:

• Design my own original origami pattern
• Integrate various fabrication skills acquired throughout the program
• Balance aesthetic considerations with practical functionality
• Create something both beautiful and useful for daily life

While I consider the current version a prototype rather than a finished product, I’m excited by its potential and plan to refine this concept further. The chair represents my growing interest in space-saving furniture inspired by origami principles.

Reflections on Growth

What makes this class stand out in my academic experience is how it encouraged me to apply theoretical concepts to tangible creations. The progression from aesthetic analysis to practical implementation allowed me to explore computational origami in ways that have concrete applications beyond the classroom.

I’m particularly proud of how I’ve developed techniques to overcome traditional limitations in origami construction and applied these ancient principles to contemporary design challenges. The challenges I encountered—particularly in creating precise folds at scale and designing structural stability into collapsible forms—pushed me to innovate rather than compromise.

This course has reinforced my conviction that computational origami represents a fascinating frontier where mathematics, art, and functional design converge. I look forward to continuing this exploration, building on the foundation laid during this semester.

Additional Work

• Additional Blog Posts