Origami and Tessellation in Design

Abstract

For centuries, origami artists have invested immeasurable effort developing models under extreme selfimposed constraints (e.g., only paper, no cutting or gluing, one regularshaped sheet). The accessible and formable medium of paper has enabled swift prototyping of vast numbers of possible designs. This effort has resulted in stunning origami structures and mechanisms created in a simple medium with only a single fabrication process (folding). Origami artists' methods and perspectives have created systems that have not previously been conceived using traditional engineering methods. Using origamiinspired methods, it may be possible to design origamilike systems but using different materials and processes to meet emerging product requirements. Origamiinspired systems have the potential to meet needs that are presently unfulfilled because the design of such systems was previously too difficult or they were not yet envisioned.