1 of 31

Paper Engineering and Artistic Design

Engineers study how forces act upon materials and structures to design machines that take into account how potential forces could be applied. Paper engineers design structures and mechanisms out of paper to solve real-world challenges.

Paper engineers and artistic designers develop designs for pop-up books, quilling, packaging, art, furniture, and much more.

In this elective, we will be exploring the form and functionality of paper.

2 of 31

Learning Objectives

In this elective, students will be able to:

Define a force and identify several forces.
Understand how forces work in a paper designs.
Use brainstorming as a means to generate ideas for a work of art.
Use the engineering design process to create a product.
Create artistic products using paper.

3 of 31

4 of 31

Paper Quilling

Paper quilling is a decorative art. Paper quilling is the art of using strips of paper that are rolled, looped, curled, twisted and otherwise manipulated to create different shapes, and glued together to create decorative designs.

5 of 31

6 of 31

7 of 31

8 of 31

9 of 31

10 of 31

11 of 31

12 of 31

13 of 31

Movable Mechanisms

Movables fall into four basic categories: pull tabs, wheels, parallel folds, and angle folds.

Flaps, pull tabs and wheels require the user to manipulate a tab, lever, or wheel to see the animated action.

Parallel folds and angle folds are page-action pop-ups which move with the opening of the folded page, and require no additional user effort.

Understanding these broad categories of mechanisms enable paper engineers to select the right structure for their designs.

14 of 31

The basics of paper engineering rely on a foundation of math and science principles.

Newton's 3rd Law

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. A force is a push or a pull that acts upon an object as a result of its interaction with another object. Forces result from interactions!

Trigonometry

Trigonometry, the study of angles, is essential in the creation of successful angle folds and parallel folds. Whether or not the creator understand the math behind the structures, the pop-up will not work if the structure does not straddle the gutter fold and if the angles and lengths are not balanced.

15 of 31

16 of 31

Engineering Pop-Up Books

17 of 31

18 of 31

Physics of Paper Engineering

19 of 31

Angle Folds

Angle folds, also known as v-folds, may be right, acute, or obtuse angles. It is also possible to create asymmetric angles. The v-fold is created when the three creases of the pop-up element converge at the same point on the spine or gutter of the base.

20 of 31

21 of 31

Parallel Folds

Parallel folds produce a wide range of shapes: boxes, tents, cylinders, cones, pyramids, boats, and arcs. Unlike the angle fold, the 2-3 main creases of the pop-up element are parallel to the gutter/spine.

22 of 31

Pop-Ups

Paper Engineering Gone Wild

Basic Principals https://paper.gatech.edu/kinetic-joy/movable-mechanisms

Tutorials https://www.bestpopupbooks.com/pop-up-video-tutorials/

Tutorials The Pop-up Channel

A-Z Marvels

Pop-up Projects

Pop-up book examples

Some history of paper engineering

Creating a pop-up book

23 of 31

Origami

Origami Facts

History -- History of Origami

Origami Overview

Origami-Inspired Tech

Websites

24 of 31

25 of 31

Origami

26 of 31

27 of 31

28 of 31

Works Cited

Dziengel, Ana. “Science & Engineering for Kids: Paper Building Blocks.” Babble Dabble Do, 6 Sept. 2013, babbledabbledo.com/science-for-kids-paper-building-blocks/. Accessed 12 Jan. 2021.

Epic! Creations Inc. “Instantly Access 40,000 High-Quality Books for Kids.” Epic - Books for Kids, Epic - Books for Kids, 2017, www.getepic.com/app/read/45375. Accessed 12 Jan. 2021.

“Heavy Helicopters.” TeachEngineering.org, 30 June 2020, www.teachengineering.org/activities/view/cub_mechanics_lesson01_activity1. Accessed 12 Jan. 2021.

https://www.facebook.com/bestpopupbooks. “How to Make a Pop-up: Pop-up Video Tutorials.” Best Pop-up Books, 16 Apr. 2018, www.bestpopupbooks.com/pop-up-video-tutorials/. Accessed 12 Jan. 2021.

---. “How to Make a Pop-up: Print-Ready PDF Pop-up Templates.” Best Pop-up Books, 24 May 2020, www.bestpopupbooks.com/pop-up-templates/. Accessed 12 Jan. 2021.

P, Carol. “How to Make Pop Ups: The Basic Mechanisms.” Extremepapercrafting.com, Blogger, 2 Mar. 2020, www.extremepapercrafting.com/p/pop-up-lessons-how-to-books.html. Accessed 12 Jan. 2021.

“Physics of Paper Engineering | Paperdev Gatech Edu.” Gatech.Edu, 2016, paperdev.gatech.edu/kinetic-joy/physics-paper-engineering. Accessed 12 Jan. 2021.

Pop-Up Opener"}],"accessibility":{"accessibilityData":{"label":"Pop-Up Opener by The Pop-Up Channel 6 years ago 23 seconds"}}},"index":{"simpleText":"1"},"shortBylineText":{"runs":[{"text":"The Pop-Up Channel. “Pop-up Tutorials by Duncan Birmingham.” YouTube, 2021, www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6yEJPIoJzfsH4hxgJZHPAxBn6khPD7ve. Accessed 12 Jan. 2021.

“Welcome | Paperdev Gatech Edu.” Gatech.Edu, 2021, paperdev.gatech.edu/kinetic-joy/welcome. Accessed 12 Jan. 2021.

‌