Discussion about ownership of unit origami design

Unit origami will be treated differently from figurative origami. Its nature is about simple mathematical geometry which is common.

The possible ownership candidates are

1. The first person who made.

2. Multiple people who discovered by himself.

3. Well-known model for long time not guarantee as the first creator.

Why we need to know the ownership?

For modern culture, we need to give an honor to the creator.

But for my opinion, the author name as "designed by" is used to refer to the exactly model.

Each unit origami has 4 layers of design.

Level 1: Unit - how to fold and how to connect 2 units

Level 2: Polyhedron Assembly - a geometric structure

Level 3: Physical Model - material, color, size, finishing touch

Level 4: Name

When you finished the unit origami design, name is important because it will show what part you name.

Why do you give this name? (Thinking like why you give your child this name)

1. It is a part of folding process.

2. It is an appearance of the model.

3. It is associated to the event happened when you create.

4. Random.

For Prw, original model refer to the first physical model ever made in that design.

If someone has discovered the same unit before, it will be better to provide me to the original photo of their design.

If someone discover the same unit after me, they can name their design, and people can refer to the exactly model even the name are different.

The accurately identify the model is more important than the creator's name.

For "Sonobe Unit", we don't need to say "designed by Mitsunobu Sonobe" because we know exactly what it is and the unit name honor its own.

"Ant-lion Nest designed by Tomoko Fuse" original model may refer to 270-unit version.

This is a well-known model, people who rediscover it or assemble in other way will still refer to Fuse.

However, the idea of this unit is from Silvana Star as mentioned in her book.

There is a case that origami community want to have "origami copyright".

In my opinion about unit origami, when there is existed unit, artists complain that it is not Prw's design.

I feel like you steal the gift of God to be yours alone, and I feel angry.

However, I also think each case has a common sense of proper practice in the origami community.

I will use common sense as much as possible from now on.

I don't think the delete work policy will be the best practice these day.

I want to use the citation method as used in academic to refer to the prior design.

Kusudama Origami Guide for Beginner

1. Sonobe Unit First skill in kusudama origami is to make Sonobe units and master how to assemble 30 units which is a foundation to assemble another regular kusudama.

2. Sonobe Base + Insert Once you gain experience in Sonobe Unit, you can easily add elements to the Sonobe shape by decompose paper into many parts as Base and Insert.

3. Spikey Star Tab Next, you should learn some technique from well-known design. From Bascetta Star, you will learn how to do tab assembly.

4. Little Roses Alignment Another well-known design is Little Roses. We use technique for flap and edge alignment to get a compatible hinge for a unit.

5. Geometric Module Well-known design usually connect to geometric form which is use in Mathematics. You will learn a lot of kusudama technique from these category.

6. Triangle-legs Assembly and more The common assembly method maybe triangle-legs. It is common for edge module. This time you will want to try different assembly method from various design.

7. Curler Unit Curler Unit is a niche category for making a kusudama and we can have many interesting variation.

8. Bronze Rectangle and others Square paper maybe limited, you can use other ratio such as Bronze, Silver, (1:2), (1:3), (2:3),(1:4) etc.

9. Try to Design Sonobe-style Unit After folded many designs from many artists, you may want to tinker some new innovation. Let’s begin with Sonobe-style Unit.

10. Discover New Shape When you try design kusudama many times, the new shape or technique may have been born and become interesting in origami community.

How to assemble a 30-unit Kusudama

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/047a9d_e972711b3c564249954e24b7f5bef2d0/720p/mp4/file.mp4

Assembly concept for icosahedron edge (tuck-up example)

To assemble a 30-unit kusudama (typically an icosahedron), you connect the individual, pre-folded modular units by inserting a tab from one unit into a pocket of another unit. The structure is built around points where five units meet, forming a pentagonal shape, and triangular pyramids. 

Preparation

• Fold 30 identical units: Most 30-unit kusudama models use the Sonobe unit or a variation of it. Ensure each unit has a "tab" (or flap) and a "pocket" (or slit) for interlocking.

• Crease well: Firm creases will help the finished model hold its shape without glue. Glue or tape can be used for extra stability, especially for a first attempt. 

Assembly Steps

1. Form the first triangular pyramid: Take three units. Each unit has two tabs and two pockets. Insert one tab into a pocket of the next unit, and continue until all three units form a triangle or a pyramid shape. The units should interlock securely.

2. Build a pentagonal base: Continue adding units to the initial triangle, working in a circle. The goal is to create a central point where five units converge, forming a five-sided "star" or pentagonal face.

3. Continue adding units: Keep building by adding new units to the existing structure. Focus on forming a sequence of connected triangular pyramids, always aiming for a point where five units meet.

4. Work in sections: Some folders find it helpful to work on one "side" or a few connected pyramids at a time, then link them together.

5. Maintain the shape: The kusudama will start to curve and form a spherical shape as more units are added. Gently guide the pieces to maintain an even, spherical form.

6. The final units: The last few pieces can be tricky to insert. Take your time and gently bend the model as needed to tuck the final tabs into their corresponding pockets. The structure should become very stable once the last unit is in place.

7. Finishing touches: Once assembled, you can adjust the pieces slightly to ensure the model is tightly formed. You can also attach a string or tassel if desired. 

Assembling a 30-unit kusudama relies on the mathematical principles of an icosahedron (20 triangular faces, 12 vertices). Keeping this geometry in mind can help you understand how the pieces fit together and where the next unit needs to go. 

For any mathematical shape, we can use a unit as edge, vertex or face. See polyhedron property in this chart.

Vertex, Edge, Face in each polyhedron (from Tomoko Fuse's Unit Origami Fantasy)