Mar

Brought Into the Fold of Robert Lang’s Origami

by Janine Boylan on March 17, 2014

Peace Flight origami sculpture, showing the creative process of Robert Lang (Image © Robert Lang)

Peace Flight
Robert J. Lang and Kevin Box
Folded 2013; Composed 2013
cast stainless steel on stone; approx. 3′ x 2′ x 4′ on stone
© Robert Lang

A Creative Process Governed by Math

Dr. Robert Lang can make paper cranes. But his origami cranes not only have feathered wings and three toes on each foot, they soar with life.

Origami artist Robert Lang engaged in his creative process. (Image © Robert Lang)

Origami artist Robert Lang
© Robert Lang

In 2001, this physicist/engineer left his successful science career to write a book about how to make your own designs for origami, the traditional Japanese art of folding paper.

Why the career change?

This obviously brilliant man, who has 50 patents awarded and pending on semiconductor lasers, optics, and integrated optoelectronics, had an “Oh, I see” moment:

There were plenty of other really good engineers and managers that could do whatever I could do as an engineer, but I felt like there were few people who could write this book.

So he took a risk, left his job, and decided to see where it would take him.

Millions of folds later, he has found that origami continues to take him beyond what he could have imagined.

Koi, opus 425, origami sculpture, showing the creative process of Robert Lang (© Robert Lang)

Koi, opus 425
Folded: 2002; Composed: 2002
One uncut square; 15″
© Robert Lang

Lang’s work has appeared worldwide in both ads and art shows.

He works in the more traditional smaller origami size as well as life-size. He even works in currency. While much of his work is made from some sort of paper, he has collaborated with sculptor Kevin Box to render a number of his pieces in metal.

Dollar Camera, origami sculpture showing the creative process of Robert Lang. (Image © Robert Lang)

Dollar Camera
Folded: 2009; Composed: 2009
Two uncut one-dollar bills; 3″
© Robert Lang

The Math

When he switched careers, Lang admits at first he was worried that giving up engineering would mean giving up the mathematical work he loved so much. But, he says:

The math of origami is as interesting as engineering ever had been. The itch [to work with math] gets scratched as much by origami as it ever did by physics.

To make an origami figure, Lang goes through four steps:

He starts with the subject.
Then, he draws a tree figure (like a stick figure) of the basic shape.
Next, he creates a folded-paper base with flaps for the appendages.
Finally, he forms the specific shape into the model.

Diagram of the four-step creative process of origami design. (Image © Robert Lang)

Four-step process for origami design
© Robert Lang

The tree figure and the final shape are the easy parts. Creating the base is the hard part. That’s where math comes in.

The math of origami is about shapes and relationships and forms, not necessarily arithmetic. The folding pattern to create a flap (or leg or antennae) is based on a circle pattern. The smaller the flap, the smaller the circle (a quarter circle is the smallest amount of paper you need to make a flap).

If you know how to “pack” these circles, which represent the body parts, and fill the remaining paper with a mathematical crease pattern, you have an origami pattern—and have solved another math challenge.

Stag Beetle BP, opus 477, origami showing the creative process of Robert Lang. (Image © Robert Lang)

Stag Beetle BP, opus 477
Folded: 2005; Composed: 2005
One uncut square of Origamido paper; 5″
© Robert Lang

Solving Puzzles

A passionate scientist, Lang sees every origami design as a puzzle to be solved, especially the ones he does for artistic purposes.

His deep plunge into understanding the math behind his work has helped him create figures one could never imagine would evolve from a single flat piece of paper. Lang explains:

What is possible in origami is defined by the mathematical properties of a folded sheet of paper; if you understand the math, you can use it to create a lot of forms that you probably wouldn’t have discovered just by intuition.

Sure, there are some challenging projects Lang has begun that are not done yet. And that’s how he sees it—they aren’t failures; they are just not done yet. He feels that nothing is impossible since he is always learning new techniques and approaches.

Siam origami sculpture, showing the creative process of Robert Lang (Image © Robert Lang)

Siam
by Robert J. Lang and Kevin Box
Folded: 2012; Composed: 2002
cast bronze, silver nitrate patina; 10″ x 8″ x 6″
Selby Fleetwood Gallery
© Robert Lang

What’s the Point?

Origami is wondrous, but it’s also useful. Lang explains:

Problems that you solve to create something beautiful turn out to have an application in the real world.

Scientists needed to get a football-field-sized lens into space, but it had to be carried on a spacecraft. What inspired their design? Origami.

Doctors had the idea of placing a stent in a human artery, but it had to be tiny to get to its destination. What inspired their design? Origami.

Squaring the Circle origami by Robert Lang, showing creative expression. (Image © Robert Lang)

Squaring the Circle, opus 596
Folded: 2009; Composed: 2006
One uncut irregular sheet of Japanese paper; 12″
© Robert Lang

Engineers wanted to put inflatable, expanding air bags in cars for emergencies. What inspired their design? You get the idea. . .

Sharing the Lessons

Lang seems to be as passionate about teaching origami technique as he is about creating the designs. A natural teacher, Lang makes the math behind folding circle patterns to create flaps simple and logical, as illustrated in this TEDtalk.

Why the interest in teaching? His response is a perfect reflection of his precise art: there is a satisfaction in delivering a well-crafted presentation.

But he also reflects,

Maybe it’s because when I discover something, the ah-ha moment is really fun—that moment when you’ve discovered something new is a rush. When I see it in someone else’s face, I am vicariously experiencing it by seeing it in them.

Oh, I see, Dr. Lang. And we at OIC couldn’t agree more!

Robert Lang provides folding patterns for a number of his pieces on his site. Get additional guidance from Origami Instructions and find free download patterns from Origami USA.

Comment on this post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.

Janine Boylan Comments

Innovations/The World's Art & Design

Mar

Adult at Play: The Creative Mind of Javier Pérez

by Sheron Long on March 10, 2014

Open notebook with an illustration turning the spiral into the face of a crocodile, showing how the creative mind of Javier Pérez uses imagination to see things differently. (Image © Javier Pérez)

Presto! And it’s the spiral smile of a crocodile (in profile)!
© Javier Pérez

A Simple Matter of Imagination

Javier Pérez sees things differently. His creative mind is full of the imagination that many adults tucked in a drawer a long time ago. And he likes to play.

Photo of the artist Javier Pérez, whose creative mind and imagination allows him to see things differently.

Javier Pérez says,
“I just want to create.”
© Javier Pérez

Pérez works as a graphic designer and audiovisual producer in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

But for his own amusement, each week he collects ideas, does sketches, and selects his best. Every Saturday, he works up 3 or 5 images that he then publishes over the next week.

Adult play and adult discipline. That’s a good process for creative success. As Pérez says:

“Create every day. No matter your skills.”

Why? Just Because It’s Fun

When Pérez looks in a drawer, it’s not to find his imagination. Instead he pulls out everyday objects—pliers, screws, old scissors—and he turns them into art.

Two open pliers that form the torso and legs of cowboys finished with imagination in line drawings from the creative mind of Javier Perez. (Image © Javier Pérez)

A couple of cowboys click their spurs.
© Javier Pérez

The combination of 3D objects and simple lines is a pleasing graphic effect, but it’s the inventiveness of the idea that puts the smile on your face. How clever to see bow legs and overalls in a pair of pliers!

Or a dancer’s legs in the blades of scissors. All she needs are slippers—some simple lines do the trick.

Open blades of scissors with shoes drawn at the tips to resemble human legs, all from the creative mind and imagination of Javier Pérez. (Image © Javier Pérez)

Two legs ready to cut loose in dance
© Javier Pérez

Pérez says he most often starts with the object. He must first see it differently, not for what it is but for what it can be. Then, in about 30 minutes, he adds the illustration—and that’s the fun of it!

Drawing of a porcupine with screws used to form the quills, all from the creative mind and imagination of Javier Pérez who sees things differently. (© Javier Pérez)

Pérez imagined a porcupine. What could you make
with a scatter of screws?
© Javier Pérez

Pérez has fun, and he describes where that can lead:

“I began to create these drawings because they were fun to do. When I had barely 1000 followers on Instagram, I don’t think any of us understood the potential of this technique. But I started seeing their appeal once they were published on Buzzfeed.”

Hungry for Simplicity

The popular appeal of the drawings derives from their simplicity, not only the clean, minimal lines but their reliance on the objects of everyday life.

Drawings of a trumpet made from a paperclip and an old phonograph made from a flower, all from the creative mind and imagination of Javier © Javier Pérez, who sees things differently. (Image © Javier Pérez)

The brilliant simplicity of Pérez’ illustrations is a treat for the eyes and music to the ears.
© Javier Pérez

Sometimes, just the hint of a line adds the charm.

Drawings of a dog and a cat with Scrabble tiles placed to form the bodies, all from the creative mind of Javier Pérez, who sees things differently. (Image © Javier Pérez)

There’s more than one way to play with Scrabble tiles.
© Javier Pérez

And when Pérez plays with food, he gets especially creative.

Drawing of an IV tube with catsup package added to serve as the bag, all from the creative mind and imagination of Javier Pérez. (Image © Javier Drawing of an IV tube with catsup package added to serve as the bag, all from the creative mind and imagination of Javier Pérez)

Burgers come alive with a ketchup transfusion.
© Javier Pérez

Drawing of globe stand with a cookie added for the globe and North and South America sculpted from the filling, all from the creative mind and imagination of Javier Pérez. (© Javier Pérez)

Can you find Ecuador, the sweet spot where Javier Pérez lives, on this globe?
© Javier Pérez

Anyone Can Play

Pérez started drawing as a boy and never quit, but for many adults the responsibilities of life have stifled imagination. Creative play is a way for adults to recapture it.

The play can take many forms—drawing, cooking, journaling, storytelling, imagining new worlds in video games, music-making, and more. In fact, you can get started right now with this Imagination app from Paul Neave, a web designer in London.

Pérez sees value in the creative process, and he believes that everyone is creative:

“It’s important to create everyday so the mind stays active. With creativity, we can solve problems—easy and hard—in our daily lives.”

Drawing of an artist's palette with M&Ms placed as the paint, all from the creative mind and imagination of Javier Pérez who sees things differently. (Image © Javier Pérez)

Creativity paints imaginative solutions.
© Javier Pérez

Dr. Ben Michaelis, a psychologist writing in the Huffington Post, affirms the importance of imaginative play. His thesis? Play is the four-letter word that will change your life.

To kickstart your adult imagination, the essential ingredient in creative play, follow these words of wisdom from Pérez:

“My advice is that you take in a lot of art, movies, anything that opens up your mind to infinite possibilities.”

Just taking in these charming illustrations from the creative mind of Javier Pérez is a good place to start. Surely, they inspire people to see things differently. Over and over, they made me smile and say, “Oh, I see.” What about you?

Drawing of a submarine made from placing a bent straw on top of blue paper, all from the creative mind of Javier Pérez, who sees things differently. (Image © Javier Pérez)

What was Pérez imagining here?
How long did it take you to say OIC?
© Javier Pérez

Keep up-to-date with Pérez’ latest work at Instagram. Pérez set a personal challenge to create something every day in 2013. See the results at 364 Ideas on Tumbler.

Comment on this post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.

Sheron Long 2 Comments

Clever Ideas/The World's Art & Design

Feb

Vintage Fonts Go Digital on Buenos Aires Buses

by Bruce Goldstone on February 17, 2014

Two Buenos Aires buses, one showing the use of vintage fonts as design inspiration and the other showing digital fonts for clarity and utility.

Torn Between Design Inspiration & Utility

Buenos Aires is a city of kinetic visual overload, where color, pattern, and structure compete for your eye’s attention. One of the first things I fell in love here was the vintage fonts on the city buses. People tend to think I’m either kidding or crazy, but nonetheless, it’s true.

A source of constant design inspiration, the gorgeous graphics bundled onto a Buenos Aires bus pack a powerful punch.

Every bus line has its own vibrant palette, like rival schools sporting their colors. Strong stripes and elaborate, hand-painted designs called fileteado add to the impact.

And it’s all topped off with a big, bold number.

A Buenos Aires bus sporting vintage fonts that are a design inspiration. (Image © Bruce Goldstone)

More than a hundred different bus lines cover the city in complicated routes that zig-zag through town. The number of the line perches proud and loud on the front of the bus.

A Number Is Worth a Thousand Words

Soon after I arrived, I began to snap photos of every bus that passed (while carefully avoiding being run over).

A collection of numbers in the vintage fonts on Buenos Aires buses are a design inspiration. (Image © Bruce Goldstone)

I took new delight in every bold or subtle variation, cruising the city’s streets:

The chessman solidity of the trapezoidal number #1
The thick, squat look of the extra-bold, extra-wide sans-serif #5 and #6
The delicate stroke that outlines the elegant #12
The jaunty snout of the 1 in #17
The rectilinear combo that gives #21 a modernistic flair
The voluptuous curves of #86, bold white on a sexy red background
The cheerful profile of the scooped twin 1’s in 115

Zero Tolerance

So, the first time I saw a digital bus display in Buenos Aires, I was horrified.

A digital bus sign in Buenos Aires lacks the design inspiration of signs with vintage fonts. (Image © Bruce Goldstone)

The modern clarity of the neon green digits struck me as inhuman and charmless. There was no style, no effort, and no class.

I sulked for days.

I groused to friends as more bus lines began to make the switch from hand-selected, quirky typography to mass-produced digital dullness.

Then Again . . .

But then one night, things got much clearer. Or, rather, they didn’t.

Several hours after 11:00 p.m. (when the subways shut down), I was dutifully waiting, and waiting, for a #29 bus. Early on in my Argentine education, I had learned that you have to flag down a bus if you want it to stop. If you don’t hail the driver, he won’t stop even if he sees you standing there.

Finally, I saw a bus in the distance. Alas, it was a #22, a line that would take me even farther from home.

So I didn’t signal the driver.

As the bus went by, I looked up again and realized I’d misread the barely-lit number. It was, in fact, my #29. I stuck my hand out, but—too late! The driver passed me by.

I Saw the Light

I had at least twenty minutes to think over my mistake, as well as my firm allegiance to dimly-lit vintage fonts of old. I began to rethink my aversion to digital fonts on electronic displays.

Now, whenever I see a night bus, I realize that its shining, vivid clarity has many virtues, not the least of which is visibility.

A digital font on a Buenos Aires bus may lack the design inspiration of vintage fonts, but is useful for helping you flag down the right bus. (Image © holgs / iStock)

And so I had an “Oh, I see” moment that was quite literally about seeing—It’s a whole lot easier to read electronic fonts at night.

As I’ve come to terms with the new digital fonts, I’ve been heartened by another discovery. Not every bus line is content to stick with the simple, minimal dot-matrix fonts dictated by a small digital array. Newer models offer more complicated arrays that allow bus lines to choose their own, unique electronic fonts, like this elaborate #9.

A digital bus font in Buenos Aires may lack the design inspiration of vintage fonts but has the advantage of readability. (Image © Bruce Goldstone)

I still love the vintage fonts that crisscross the city on many bus lines. They delight the eye as design inspiration for typography enthusiasts like me. But a bus passing in the night with its electronic display helped me get home, and that alone may be reason enough to accept the digital bus fonts that are taking over in Buenos Aires.