Folding Techniques for Designers

6.    Boxes & Bowls

In origami, boxes and bowls abound. There are hundreds of different designs that could be described variously as boxes (lidded or unlidded), trays, bowls, bags, dishes, pots, vases or containers. Some are simple, square and functional; others are very decorative. They can be made from squares or rectangles, or from other polygons. Origami hats may be considered box forms, and vice versa.

The basic box-making technique is always the same: by folding, to reduce the flat 360º of material around a given point on the sheet so that it creates a 3-D corner, then to create more corners, connect them with folds and lock everything strongly ...