LBCC: May The Fold Be With You (Star Wars Origami)!

Looking for that last minute gift for the geek/craft lover in your life? Well, look no further than Star Wars Origami! While attending Long Beach Comic and Horror Con, I attended the Star Wars Origami panel hosted by master folder himself Chris Alexander. Everyone who attended the panel was given their own blue print to make Boba Fett’s helmet. I had a fun time trying to get the pieces to fold just the right way and was proud of my final result.

I was able to interview Chris Alexander and get the full story on how this creative idea came about. Read on to see how Star Wars turned into a folding art and how it is something anyone can do!

So what exactly is Star Wars Origami and how did it come about?

This starts with the disclaimer “kids, don’t try this at home”. I was driving home after teaching first graders how to make an origami penguin. If you picture a penguin and turn it on its side you end up with something that looks like the B-Wing from Return of the Jedi. Both have a pointy head, long skinny body with stubby wings, and little feet. So there I was on the freeway and I thought I could make my first Star Wars model. I couldn’t wait. I pulled out a piece of paper and folded it. After that, I wanted to make the whole universe. I set myself a goal of creating an origami X-wing by the end of the month. Later I showed these to models to an acquaintance who suggested I write an entire Star Wars Origami book. It took a lot of perseverance, but after 15 years the book became a reality.

B-Wing design

How were the shapes/characters/ships chosen?

Workman Publishing approached me asking if I wanted to publish the book and already had in mind exactly what they wanted it to look like, 35 models from all 6 movies. At the time I’d created about 45 Star Wars models. Selecting 35 wouldn’t be too hard, but Lucasfilm requested a few to be included that I hadn’t created yet. Darth Vader and Luke’s pilot helmet for example.

I wanted the book to have models from all 6 movies and range from very easy to very difficult to make. For the most part origami is created from a single sheet of square paper. However there are many famous designs which start from triangles and other simple geometric shapes. Other models have more than one piece of paper. Knowing a lot of the readers of my book have probably never tried origami before I wanted to include a few models which showed the range of what can be done with origami.

How were the shapes developed?

For the most part I start with an idea of what I’d like the finished model to look like. Take Jabba the Hutt for example. He’s a big, vaguely triangular blob with a long fat tail and two arms. Once I get to that shape I see what can be done to make it more recognizable. There’s a balance when it comes to adding details. You don’t want to create a model that takes an hour to fold only to have 80% of the folding time dedicated to adding a pimple on his cheek. And what’s the point of adding that pimple if the models won’t have eyes and a mouth when you’re done.

Who did the artwork and how was it done?

I created all of the origami designs in the Star Wars Origami book. Once a design is created it’s a simple matter of  folding it with a blank sheet of paper and marking all the places you want “painted”. Unfold the paper and see where the markings and the creases are. Then you turn those over to an awesome artist, in my case Phil Conigliaro at Workman. He took my layouts and made the special paper Pop.

Why Star Wars?

I’ve been a fan of origami all my life, and a huge Star Wars fan forever. It’s only natural to combine the two things you love. Consider the Reeses Peanut Butter Cup. Peanut Butter and Chocolate. Just try to imagine a world where that was never combined.

What is your favorite Star Wars origami shape to make?

I love folding the Falcon. It’s pretty quick, very recognizable, has an elegant folding process, and it’s once of my first designs.

Which one was the hardest?

Slave I, although the ETA fighter comes in a close second. It took me 7 years to get Slave I just right.

Slave I design

Can anyone do origami?

I believe anyone with a little patience can do origami. Origami has the undeserved reputation as being a kids art form, much like finger painting. So a lot of people get frustrated when they try to make moderately challenging models and can’t get them to come out right the first time. Just like with any other art form anyone can make simple things on their first try, but to get good takes practice. I’m sure even Michelangelo started with stick figures.

Any tips for those new to origami?

There are two “secrets” to origami. First, always be as accurate as you can when lining up a fold. Second, crease the fold as sharply as possible. Beginners tend to pat the crease into place. The creases need to be folded until they lose their will to survive.

How long did it take to put the book together?

Once I set out to create a Star Wars origami book it took me just over 2 years to create and diagram the 15 models I though should be included. I’d originally hoped to make one book for each movie. Once that was done I starting trying to find a publisher. Over the years I was turned down many, many times by many publishers. Undaunted I kept creating more Star Wars models and sending more proposals. 13 years after I’d first started Workman Publishing approached me asking if I’d be interested in getting the book published. It just goes to show what you can do with perseverance.

Any plans for future origami books?

I’m still inventing Star Wars models and hoping to put out a second book. There are still a few models I’d love to see published which didn’t make it into the first book, as well as material from the Clone Wars TV series, and a brand new movie coming out in December of 2015. I’m also working on a secret project which explores a new aspect of origami. I’ve created a few models for that project, and when I have enough I’ll see if I can get that published as well.

Where can people find the Star Wars Origami book?

You can find my book anywhere books are sold. Just about every book store has a copy, as well as Target, Costco, and craft stores like Michaels. Its also available online at sites like Amazon.