Handcut wedding card, in the style of Masahiro Chatani. Photo by Natasha V
Handcut invitation in the style of Robert Sabuda. Photo by Natasha V
My fascination with pop-up cards began when I discovered Masahiro Chatani, and his style of ‘origamic architecture’. I began working in his style, and continued to study other masters of the field of paper engineering, including Robert Sabuda, Matthew Reinhart, and David A. Carter. Mark Hiner solidified my understanding of pop-ups by breaking them down into 10 simple tricks that can be used in infinite combinations.
Handcut wedding invitation, with the Empire State Building popping out from a heart-shaped map of New York. Personal photo.
Handcut invitation featuring two cyclists coming together as the card opens. Personal photo.
The grace of a pop-up card comes not only from the final image, but the way in which it unfolds, and folds back into itself. Tucked away into an envelope waiting to be experienced, a pop-up can only be appreciated in real time, with the viewer actively engaged – first with the breaking of the envelope seal for the first time, and then opening the card. The kinetic energy created when the card is opened fuels the motion of the paper engineering inside.
Handcut invitation made without glue. This design featured a slot for a map, as well as gift registry cards. Photo by Natasha V
Commercially produced gift card made without glue. Photo by Natasha V
Because using glue can cause complications in the drying process, I developed my own style of paper engineering that relied solely on the paper itself. Combining techniques from other paper artists, with elements of package design, I was able to create the same effects without glue. This made for a faster production time, fewer errors, and a lighter final product that didn’t require extra postage.
Handcut wedding invitation, made without glue. As the the card opens, the sun sets, and creates a reflection in the water as it drops behind the slits cut in the foreground. Photo by Natasha V