Ornamental Origami: Exploring 3D Geometric Designs [Paperback]

Meenakshi Mukerji (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 21, 2008

This book is a great resource for people who enjoy polyhedra, symmetry, geometry, mathematics and origami. The types of models presented are similar in nature to the models in Mukerji's Marvelous Modular Origami, but some of the chapters are more advanced and all of the designs are new. The reader can learn about polyhedra while making these models and is left with the ability to design one's own models.

Step-by-step folding instructions for over 40 models are presented. Although the book is for intermediate folders, beginners are encouraged to try because origami basics are explained. The diagrams are easy to follow and each model is accompanied by breathtaking finished model photographs.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Ornamental Origami is Meenakshi Mukerji’s second book on modular origami. Those of you who are familiar with her first book will find that this second installment to be just as well organized with a slew of new origami models.
—Origami Resource Center, 2011

Opening Ornamental Origami by Meenakshi Mukerji gives me a pleasurable feeling. The glossy paper pages with their colorful photographs that alternate with step-by-step how-to directions entice me to pick up paper squares right away and start folding. In this second book by Mukerji there are 40 more clever, geometric, modular origami models for paperfolding enthusiasts.
—Florence Temko, February 2009

This is another excellent book by one of the rigami community’s highly-creative authors . . . and, just as with her first book, anyone looking to start out in decorative modular folding will also find this book a great resource.
—Anne LaVin's Origami Blog, February 2009

Ornamental Origami is a wonderful book for both math and origami lovers alike. . . . the author provides wonderful, clear descriptions and beautiful photographs. Another interesting aspect of the book is the afterward: a small collection of mathematical exercises related to folding paper. The problems were thought-provoking and again bridged the gap between math and origami.
—MAA Reviews, March 2009

Using color extensively in both diagrams and photographs, [Mukerji] walks readers through the elaborate constructions and illustrates the final pieces.
—Book News, May 2009

Meenakshi Mukerji’s book is essentially a study of polyhedra but in a way that brings out the symmetry in subtle ways. . . . It builds up very complicated results from simple modules so that even a beginner in origami can follow and learn about polyhedral symmetry by assembling them. It should definitely find a place in school teaching or mathematics clubs.
—John Sharp, The London Mathematical Society Newsletter, May 2009

This book is an excellent contribution to the growing interest in and publications on origami, the art of paper folding. The author uses a special (construction) method called modular origami. That means she folds identical modules, called units which are assembled (on 'tabs' and 'pockets') to the final model. This method is also the content of the author's first book Marvelous Modular Origami which should be regarded as the basis of this new book. The author points out the underlying mathematics behind her origami. ... In marvelous coloured pictures, more than 40 modular origami models are shown with explicit instructions for the construction. ... The reader is invited to follow the passion of paper folding inspired by the beautiful examples in this book.
—Gertraud Ehrig, Zentralblatt MATH, September 2009

children can learn origami techniques to create beautiful and varied geometric shapes.
—Science News, November 2009

This book, for both beginners and experts, provides guidance in creating modular origami from the basic to the intricate, including planar origami models. The target audience includes artists, mathematicians, and students over twelve. ... The book's strengths include (1) explaining the symbols and terminology and (2) applying mathematics to the planar models. The diagrams in the book help users follow along. ... I recommend this book for math teachers who want to collaborate with art teachers.
—Colleen Eddy, Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School, January 2010

About the Author

Meenakshi Mukerji was born and raised in Kolkata, India. She obtained her BS in electrical engineering at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, and then came to the United States to pursue a master s degree in computer science at Portland State Univeristy, Oregon. She worked in the software industry for more than a decade before attending a class by Doug Philips, at which point she started folding modular origami and displaying it on her website. She has many designs to her credit. In 2005, Origami USA presented her with the Florence Temko award for her exceptional contribution to origami. Her first book, Marvelous Modular Origami, was published in 2007.

Product Details

• Paperback: 154 pages
• Publisher: A K Peters/CRC Press (November 21, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568814453
• ISBN-13: 978-1568814452
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.2 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #201,762 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #69 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Puzzles & Games > Math Games
  • #83 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Papercrafts, Stamping & Stenciling > Origami

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Creations of Modular Origami February 22, 2009

By Lauraloo Mattox

Format:Paperback

I never thought I'd find any modular origami books to rival Tomoko Fuse, but Ms Mukerji has created a fantastic book!

Off the bat I have to say, this is not the ideal primer for early beginners. However, there are plenty of beginner tips, basic fold instructions, and even a little modular history. So, if you're diligent (and patient) you will eventually succeed. And you'll definitely have fun and learn a lot!

For the more experienced folder, this is a great book for broadening your modular repertoire. You can definitely tell Ms Mukerji has a math and science background, as pearls of mathematical wisdom are peppered throughout the book. Her comfort in that field served her well in designing some truly gorgeous models. I like how some of them lead to variations, with room for you to input some of your own ideas.

Also, some of the designs feel feminine, with a softness you don't see very often in mod origami books. There are waves and curves, and the flowers seem to be in the process of blooming!

The designs are organized in chapters by the kind of base used. The illustrations are numerous, but the descriptions and directions are brief. That won't pose a problem for the more experienced folder, but the beginner made need some trial and error to understand the process. (Remember to look one step ahead if you get stuck!)

In short, this a great book to add to your collection. It is different enough from previous books for you to feel entertained, if not challenged. But hey, even the best folder has to take a deep breath before merging in that last unit!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Love the book but... December 1, 2011

By Jane Vaughan

Format:Paperback

Check your copy, I bought this book new when it was published in 2008, and the book is defective; after page 62, it repeats pages 52-62 then skips to pages 79 and, this is the clincher, Amazon won't replace it because I purchased it from them over 30 days ago. I have to purchase a new copy (yes it's still in print, yes, they can return it to the publisher, it is like new and defective, no, they won't do it because they expect everyone to read every book cover to cover within 30 days); and,
the customer service talks about high quality customer service and making Amazon better. Yes, better without customers like me who want an undefective book and a retailer that will stand behind it's customer service and quality products. The book is defective, Amazon's product was defective. The book contents are great if you can read them and get a complete copy. Amazon, you can serve your customers better and more honestly and fairly. Show them you are a quality retailer and value loyalty and good quality customer service that is truly high quality.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, Nice Models February 22, 2010

By Cuello Felix

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

It's a quite good origami book, many models and the instructions are pretty clear. The book not only shows how to make origami models it has also a small mathematical appendix and some exercises to think about how to create your own models.
It's good for intermediate origami enthusiasts.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Not for everyone December 27, 2010

By Atheen M. Wilson TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback

It took me a while to decide what I wanted to write about this title. In some ways I was very impressed, but in others I wasn't. The book itself is interesting, as it discusses Origami in terms of geometry; something that I had understood from my reading on the art that it had been used to teach children in Japanese schools. The notion of three dimensional forms, their edges, faces, and points, is explained and may help the student visualize geometric concepts more clearly.

If you are an average practicioner already, the book's simpler designs may give you some concept of how modules are used to create larger products; some of the flower designs are lovely and not out of reach of those who've already done origami with some frequency. Better and simpler books with delightful designs based on this technique are available, like those of Fuse, Fabulous Origami Boxes, Origami Rings & Wreaths: A Kaleidoscope of 28 Decorative Origami Creations and others Origami Jewelry: More Than 40 Exquisite Designs to Fold and Wear and might be a simpler place to start.

For the more advanced practice origamist, this book may be very enlightening if you feel you have run out of challenges. Certainly if you wish to design your own models, it would be helpful, especially those using multiple parts in one or more shapes. Visualizing the part that such shapes take in the final product will definitely take a little practice as it isn't necessarily quite as straight forward as one might think.... Developing the skill to see a module in a different light might help one create other novel patterns using it.

This is not, however, really a book that the beginner would be best to start his or her own practice of the art. Most of the designs are "fussy" by virtue of the sheer number of modular parts required to complete them. What is the strong suite for an advanced practitioner becomes the bane of the beginner: visualizing how the parts interact when it isn't very clear cut.

From the point of view of a pattern book, some of the designs are quite lovely, particlarly the flowers and the triangle pyramids, but many are messy looking and seem to have been designed simply to prove that one can carry anything to an extreme. This is especially so with the last designs in the book which carry the geometric aspect of origami to higher and higher levels in something of a competitive context. Increasing the number of plains and parts for geometric designs apparently assures one a place in the history of origami. If this is your desire, the book is for you. If you just want some nice designs or instruction in how to do origami, it probably isn't. In general I preferred the author's other book, Marvelous Modular Origami, which also has polyhedra, but which seems to show a little more restraint. Here too, however, the book is probably not for a beginner. Read more ›

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing examples of what "simple" paper folding can accomplish May 10, 2010

By Charles Ashbacher HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

The increasing complexity and resultant beauty of origami designs continues to amaze me. When looking at the end result, it is hard to believe that the object was constructed by executing a series of simple folds and bends of paper. The designs illustrated in this book are complex and when done, create objects that look very much like flowers. The title is very appropriate; the end results of the operations are very ornamental in appearance.
Explicit instructions for each of the designs are given, yet while they are reasonably easy to follow, that trait is relative. By that, I mean that the experienced practitioner of origami will find them easy to follow; novices will be forced to take some time to learn the details. Nevertheless, this book is a valuable container of some exquisite designs for origami objects.