Tarquin
Paper Engineering for Pop-up Books and Cards
Paper engineering explained through working models
This authoritative book illustrates, in dynamic form, the ten basic mechanisms used in making a pop-up book. It is an introduction to pop-ups and paper engineering for children and adults alike: you build your skills and your own pop-up books and cards.
Ten pop-up mechanisms to cut out and make
Tarquin illustrates each of the ten basic pop-up techniques with a working model you cut out and make:
- Multiple layers
- Floating layers
- V-fold
- Magic box
- Moving arm
- Rotating disc
- Sliding motion
- Pull-up planes
- Pivoting motion
- Dissolving scenes
When finished, each working model glues back into the book on a special tab. The models fold away to make a kind of 3D dictionary or encyclopaedia: you keep every mechanism to hand for later reference.
For each working model there is also a page called technical considerations. It points out the important features of the paper mechanics and suggests how you might use them to create original pop-up designs or pieces of paper sculpture of your own.
Who this guide to pop-up books and cards suits
The book offers many imaginative possibilities for the hobbyist making greeting cards and the student of design and technology. In practice, it suits anyone who wants practical pop-ups and a sound grounding in paper engineering techniques.
Mark Hiner is one of the world's leading paper engineers, and the book passes on his approach to the art of paper engineering. A good first project is the V-fold model: folding paper along one crease and gluing it onto its tab shows the principle at once. Then sketch how you might adapt it for your own paper projects.
