Paper Popups 26 Workshop
Paper Pop-ups Village
Abstract
Explore the world of pop-ups! How can something 2D become 3D? Learn both the math and magic behind these folding paper sculptures. Take a break and build out a HOPE pop-up book. Participants will be empowered to set off into the exciting world of paper engineering. Stop by any time throughout HOPE 26.
Day / Time / Location
Day 1, Friday, 14-August-2026, 12:00pm - 6:00pm
Paper Pop-up Village (Herald Square, third floor)
Day 2, Saturday, 15-August-2026, 10:00am - 6:00pm
Paper Pop-up Village (Herald Square, third floor)
Day 3, Sunday, 16-August-2026, 10:00am - 4:00pm
Paper Pop-up Village (Herald Square, third floor)
Full Description
Come sit down and take a break between talks and play with paper!
We will have 3 pages of pop-ups you can do to assemble your very own HOPE pop-up book! Wow! So cool!
From doing the HOPE pop-up book, you will learn the foundational principles of pop-up. You will take home both a physical book and the knowledge to keep going in papercraft.
- V-folds
- Parallel folds
- Spirals
Pop-ups
Pop-ups are a catchall term for dimensional and movable books. These "movables" go back as far as the 1300s. Originally, pop-ups were meant for more adult pursuits: religion, astrology, medicine. However, in the 1700s and 1900s there became a growing audience for pop-up books for children.
When was the last time you held a pop-up book?
We hope that you love this art form as much as we do. Once you learn the basics and rules - try to break them.
== Pop-ups Itinerary
This is a pretty chill village. This is the general flow we try to use when teaching.
- Cut-and-fold pop-ups
- HOPE cityscape pop-up (V-fold)
- Cowsay pop-up (parallel)
- Ethernet cable pop-up (spiral)
Registration is not required
Just show up between talks or when you have free time ~
To do the full pop-up book, it may take between 30 minutes to an hour and a half. Feel free to do one pop-up or the 3 pop-ups for the HOPE pop-up book!
If you don't want to make a pop-up, how about reading one? We have 4 pop-up books by David Carter and 2 pop-up books by Chuck Murphy.
Presenter(s)
- Rosemary
- Evan Jones
- QP
- Joe V
Materials
Any materials needed to participate in this village will be available for you.
Materials:
- Cardstock
- Glue
- Scissors
- Scorers (ballpoint pens)
- Spoons
- Rulers
- Pencils, pens, markers
Observers are always welcome.
What to bring
Bring an open mind and your imagination!
Feel free to bring art supplies like pens and pencils for illustrating your pop-up. You can also bring your own paper (scrapbook, journal, junk mail).
About mistakes
Mistakes are part of the process!
Don't be afraid to take things apart or mess with the paper. Through experimenting, we learn.
- Problem: The glued-on piece doesn't work
- Solution: Pull it off before its fully glued on. Adjust and glue again.
- Problem: Part of the pop-up got torn off
- Solution: Use tape to hold the pieces together.
- Problem: The pop-up has become creased in the wrong place.
- Solution: Use some paper to strengthen the plane its on.
- Problem: The pop-up is so big that it no longer fits within the page
- Solution: You can glue bigger pieces onto the outside of the card to "contain" it. Otherwise, you may be able to cut away the pieces that over-extend.
Accessibility
Making paper pop-ups can be challenging. If you have mobility, visibility, or other impairments that make doing the craft harder, let us know. We can work around and with you to help you enjoy the village.
Acknowledgements
I wouldn't be here without the support of my community.
I'm grateful for Evan Jones, my partner, for their unwavering and patient support in bringing together this village.
People from the NYC 2600 community have helped encourage and grow my hobby beyond what I thought. Robin Hammond for giving me a skyline view of NYC, which influenced the city design. I-baLL for the beta testing, copious club-mate, and facilitation.
Qwerty Pants (QP) and Joe V are some of the kindest, smartest humans. I am lucky to call them friends. I feel even luckier to have them as pop-up teachers.
Xavier Palmer and Mike for the final push to get this village out there.
My deepest thanks to HOPE for allowing the opportunity and existence for this village.
Finally, thank you to my friends and family for helping me to become the person I am today.
Links
- Learn more pop-ups from the amazing Duncan Birmingham: The Pop-Up Channel
