PAPER HEADPIECE
WHAT WE ARE MAKING
WHY WE ARE MAKING IT
Creating a paper head piece
Explore a set of paper manipulation techniques (origami folds, auxetic patterns, rolling, layering, pleating, and bending curves).
ACTIVITY MATERIALS
A4 Paper
Bristol Paper
Metal Ruler
Pencil
Cutting Mat/Blade
Scissors
Masking Tape
Hot Glue Gun /sticks
Paper
Laptop
Optional: Strap
Sketch the Silhouette
Build the Headpiece
Pick one paper technique
1st
3rd
~60min
2nd
4th
5min
30 mins
10 mins
10 mins
Document the Piece
ACTIVITY STEPS
Pick one paper technique
1st
5min
Choose only ONE of the techniques below. This will be the main method you use to create your headpiece. Refer to the resources tab of this activity for each techniques tutorial.
- A simple origami fold: (accordion, basic triangle fold)
- A pleated structure (tight pleats, wide pleats, fan shapes)
- A rolled / cylindrical form (tubes, cones, spirals)
- An auxetic cut pattern (diamond cuts, rotating squares, bow-tie pattern)
- A layered or stacked texture (overlapping sheets, shingles, scales, stacked strips)
Sketch the Silhouette
2nd
10 mins
On a quick head drawing outline our design:
- Mark where the piece will attach
- Draw your design, the form you would like to achieve
- Exaggerate shapes!
Attached Template in the Activity post
Build the Headpiece
3rd
30 mins
You will be building the form to fit your head size.
- Go to the resources and follow the videos to create your design.
- Test on you head as you go, you might need to using elastic strap to hold the work on your head.
- Explore extension (tall), expansion (wide), or framing (around the face, jaw, etc.)
Document the Piece & Upload Deliverables
4th
10 mins
Take three photos from different angles & Upload your images in the “Response” tab:
- 3 photos of the headpiece on your head (Front, Back / ¾ view, Side)
Prompt
Choose ONE paper technique—origami fold, pleating, rolling/cylindrical form, an auxetic cut pattern, or layering/stacking—and use it to create a paper headpiece directly on your own head (or on a partner’s). Explore how the technique can transform, extend, or exaggerate the shape of the head.
Deliverables
3 photos of your headpiece from different angles