Origami Design Secrets
Mathematical Methods for an Ancient Art

Origami Design Secrets: Mathematical Methods for an Ancient Art by Robert J. Lang
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Summary

Robert J. Lang, one of the worlds foremost origami artists and scientists, presents the never-before-described mathematical and geometric principles that allow anyone to design original origami, something once restricted to an elite few.

From the theoretical underpinnings to detailed step-by-step folding sequences, this book takes a modern look at the centuries-old art of origami.

Details

ISBN: 978-1-56881-194-9
Year: 2003
Format: Paperback
Pages: 594
Web Site:
http://www.langorigami.com

Reviews

MAA Online (External Link)

July 2009

Robert Lang Sheds Light on the Math That Underlies Origami: See the link above for an article about Robert Lang’s MAA Carriage House lecture “From Flapping Birds to Space Telescopes,” including links to an interview with Robert Lang and an audio file of the lecture.

CBS Sunday Morning (External Link)

May 2007

“Now meet Robert Lang. When he folds paper, he doesn’t just make objects, he creates art. He’s able to see paper differently than the rest of us.”
Watch the video from CBS Sunday Morning

The New York Times Magazine Multimedia Clip (External Link)

April 2007

The Times Magazine asked 10 artists to design “green” flags to illustrate Thomas L. Friedman’s cover story. Here’s how origami artist Robert J. Lang created his flag.

The New Yorker (PDF)

February 2007

Susan Orlean profiles Robert J. Lang in “The Origami Lab: Why a physicist dropped everything for paper folding”
“The first part of his plan was to write the book he’d been contemplating while still at JDS Uniphase – Origami Design Secrets, which was published in 2003 and lays out the underlying principles of origami and desgin techniques.”

A PUZZLE MAKERS' GATHERING IS A REVEL IN LIFE'S PARADOXES (External Link)

April 2006

When Robert J. Lang, a laser physicist, talks with passion about origami — the Japanese art of paper folding — the line between play and discovery also completely dissolves. Mr. Lang is what might be called an origamist (see www.langorigami.com). He wrote the book “Origami Design Secrets: Mathematical Methods for an Ancient Art” (AK Peters, 2003) and has created tarantulas, delicate herons, 12-spined shells and big-horned elk out of single, uncut, folded sheets of paper.

Math Horizons (PDF)

January 2006

“This book is a synthesis of origami technique, history, and instructions, with very thoughtful and clear explanations for almost every aspect of the art of folding and designing origami.”

Mathematical Paper Folding: An Interview with Robert Lang, (External Link)

May 2005

“Through the years I was a professional physicist, I found that the tools I had learned doing physics and engineering—the mathematics and the approach to breaking down problems and studying the underlying theory—could be applied to origami as well. So that helped me to develop my origami art to a fairly high level. ”
Cabinet, Issue 17

The Mathematical Intelligencer (PDF)

March 2005

“Lang chose to strike a balance between a book that describes origami design algorithmically and one that appeals to the origami community. … For mathematicians and origamists alike, Lang’s expository approach introduces the reader to technical aspects of folding and the mathematical models with clarity and good humor… . Origami Design Secrets … is highly recommended for mathematicians and students alike who want to view, explore, wrestle with open problems in, or even try their own hand at the complexity of origami model design.”

Scientist at Work: Origami as the Shape of Things to Come (External Link)

February 2005

“Origami may seem an unusual route to a prestigious university job, but most things about Dr. Erik Demaine defy academic norms.”

SIAM Book Review (PDF)

November 2004

“This magisterial work, splendidly produced, covers all aspects of the art and science.”

Folded Dreams: Origami Master takes hobby from child's play to art (External Link)

November 2004

For most origami enthusiasts, the ancient Japanese art of folding and making creases is a mere hobby, and a grand pursuit for those giddily obsessed with the mathematics (or aesthetics) of how mere paper can be contorted into objects of beauty and interest. For Robert J. Lang, however, origami has become a life’s pursuit …

Cones, Curves, Shells, Towers: He Made Paper Jump to Life (External Link)

June 2004

Robert J. Lang, author of Origami Design Secrets: Mathematical Methods for an Ancient Art, was featured as part of a recent article in the Science section of the New York Times.

October 2003

Nothing like this has ever been attempted before; finally, the secrets of an origami master are revealed! It feels like Lang has taken you on as an apprentice as he teaches you his techniques, stepping you through examples of real origami designs and their development.
—Erik Demaine