10-Fold Origami: Fabulous Paperfolds You Can Make in Just 10 Steps! [Hardcover]

Peter Engel (Author), Allan Penn (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 10, 2009

10 steps or less—that's all you'll need to learn 26 brilliant origami folds with 10-Fold Origami.

A completely original take on a very popular classic subject, 10-Fold Origami from renowned origami artist Peter Engel, features beautiful photos and easy-to-follow illustrations for 26 wide-ranging origami models. From the classic pinwheel and sailboat to the more adventurous high-heeled shoe and bat, this book makes a great gift for folders of all levels.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* The kind of mathematical precision demanded by origami—or the Japanese art of paper folding—is tailor-made for the profession of architecture, which is the vocation of California-based second-time author (Follow the Universe: Origami from Angelfish to Zen, 1994) Engel. Emphasizing the playfulness of his (and others’) creations, he also embeds his text with the exactness required by the art: three easily identifiable icons for level of difficulty (easy, intermediate, advanced); a first-chapter grounding in the how-to’s, concentrating on the symbolic abbreviations and basic folds; and 26 designs that include excellent illustrations and a narrative to ensure that directions are clear and consistent. His art subjects range from the wonderfully whimsical to the eminently practical, an outcome to be expected from his philosophical explanation of the appeal of origami (a playful art and an artful form of play). Who could resist a plateful of sunny-side up eggs and bacon or the stolidly silent black-and-white penguin? Or not be tempted to use a brightly patterned picture frame or decorative party pinwheels? A minimalism that Ludwig Mies van der Rohe would appreciate. --Barbara Jacobs

Review

"[Engel's] art subjects range from the wonderfully whimsical to the eminently practical, an outcome to be expected from his philosophical explanation of the appeal of origami ("a playful art and an artful form of play"). Who could resist a plateful of sunny-side up eggs and bacon or the stolidly silent black-and-white penguin? Or not be tempted to use a brightly patterned picture frame of decorative party pinwheels? A minimalist that Ludwig Mies van der Rohe would appreciate."—Booklist

"You'll be amazed as only ten folds produce projects that vary from a house or sailboat to a plate of bacon and eggs. Some projects appeal to the romantic in you, such as valentines or butterflies, while others feature wild animals, such as bats and snakes. If you'd rather try something more unusual, make a rocket ship or a goose with its golden egg."—Examiner.com

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing; Hardcover with Jacket edition (September 10, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 4805310693
• ISBN-13: 978-4805310694
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,028,891 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

The origami designs of Peter Engel are known to paperfolding enthusiasts worldwide. The author of Folding the Universe and its re-issued edition, Origami from Angelfish to Zen, Engel has exhibited his origami artwork and sculpture at Gettysburg College Art Gallery, the Asian Art Museum and the de Young Museum in San Francisco, the Carpenter Center for Visual Arts at Harvard University, and Seian University of Art and Design in Japan. Engel is an architect in Berkeley, California with a practice specializing in sustainable design, schools, museums, and affordable housing.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars 10-fold? What numbering system?, September 21, 2009

By 

Paul Critelli (Grand Rapids, MI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: 10-Fold Origami: Fabulous Paperfolds You Can Make in Just 10 Steps! (Hardcover)

What a great title for a book that advanced beginning to not very skilled intermediate folders (as I admit I am) would love. Unfortunately, the title does not accurately describe the book. There are some fairly basic models which are found in many books, but there are some very tricky models as well. In fact, the "10-fold" grail is not something to sell the farm to obtain. Granted, a 6-part "single fold" MAY be considered just redoing or reversing or pulling or "somethinging" a fold (or series of folds. What it is NOT is a simple (usually) fold. The Hatching Chick will deforest small plots of woodland, I suspect.

Yes, the models are clever, and Engel is -- and always will be -- a legend and a giant, but COULD he have made the explanations and diagrams a bit more wordy or clear or something to make the involved and convoluted and unbelievably complex "single folds" in some of the models attainable by mortals? I know, I know, the question will arise in the more skilled folders' minds: Geesh! What does this guy want? Pre-folded models included? Such a wimp!

No. The answer is quite simple, but a question must first be asked: Does Engel (and ANY other legend) WANT their wonderful models to be PRIMARILY a lesson in SOLVING a problem with various hints and suggestions given, OR do they want their models to be folded and enjoyed by non-folders to whom the folders give them (that's my preference)? If the former, then the book is fine; if the latter, why not include a dvd? This is a relatively simple solution, but only if the authors want many to enjoy their creativity and magic. If they want their readers to learn (sometimes after hours of frustration) the secret handshake and the ritualistic words to be let in to the private club, then don't change a thing.

Should you get the book? Yes, I think it can be managed -- I plan to work at some of the models a bit more. However, know that, as the fly leaf states, you will be getting (someone hopes) ". . . a rewarding craft that calms the spirit [hmmm, not so much with everyone] and sharpens the mind [hmmm, maybe . . .). . . " Good luck - said without ANY sarcasm or rancor!

Paul C

5.0 out of 5 stars 10-Fold Origami: Two truths and a lie, July 2, 2011

By 

M. Brown "Mr. Mustard" (Nashville, TN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: 10-Fold Origami: Fabulous Paperfolds You Can Make in Just 10 Steps! (Hardcover)

This is a pretty solid beginner to intermediate origami book with many original and clever models. The reason I say "two truths and a lie" is that while all the models are folded and are origami, the limit of 10 folds is stretched quite a bit, with many of the later models having steps like 7a. 7b. 7c. 7d. or single steps that have several different folds to keep the total step count down to 10.

That said, I would still recommend this book for anyone who has a little bit of origami experience and wants to try something a little more challenging or for experienced folders who want to fold some different designs.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great, easy to use, February 4, 2010

By 

yebidies - See all my reviews

This review is from: 10-Fold Origami: Fabulous Paperfolds You Can Make in Just 10 Steps! (Hardcover)

This is a great book with many unique, easy to fold designs. Peter's designs are truly one-of-kind, and you won't be able to find them anywhere else. His step by step instructions are easy to follow, and the best part is, there's only ten steps!