The Elements of Pop-Up

by James Diaz and David A. Carter

Book Overview

Here at last is the definitive book on how to make a pop-up. Every aspect of the creation of a pop-up, known as paper engineering, is clearly and thoroughly covered. All types of parallel folds, angle folds, wheels and pull tabs are accurately detailed verbally and visually, flat and in dimension. Also included is a history of pop-ups and a step-by-step photographic essay on how a pop-up is made from start to finish. This guided tour is perfect for...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0689822243
• ISBN13: 9780689822247
• Release Date: October 1999
• Publisher: Little Simon
• Length: 18 Pages
• Weight: 1.48 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 8.8" x 12.3"
• Age Range: 8 to 11 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 6

Customer Reviews

Delivers lots more than it promises.

This, as the title says, shows a variety of elementary paper popups - the cute little folded thingies in books and cards that stand up when the page is opened. The book's a real strength that it includes an actual, working specimen of each structure it describes. Except for one or two demonstratons, the popup folds never pass the basic, and never show the incredible breadth of artistry that can go into the best of popups. Still, it's readable and gives you an unambiguous idea of how the finished product will look, work, and be assembled. From that point forward, combining ideas, adapting them to your application, and decorating the paper surface are all up to your creative expression. But wait, there's more! This includes not just standard popup folds, but lots of little pull-the-tab, spin-the-wheel, and other bits of paper gadgetry, also in the form of working demonstrations, with variations on many of the themes. It's a great book for the paper crafter, whether for personal enjoyment or professional inspiration. Yes, I know that the old pro will already be familiar with a lot of what's here - but that's not true for the student, and even masters might like to have their memories jogged when they're looking for inspiration. There's a lot of fun here, for both the recipient of the made thing and for its maker. //wiredweird

The strength of this book lies in its website

Elements of Pop Up is one of the few How To Make Pop-Ups books that features patterns for moving parts like wheel/tab mechanisms, which is why I purchased it. However, don't expect to be able to create anything extrememly fancy with this one. The examples are made of simple shapes that expect the user to expand upon them as necessary--this can be a detriment when you're trying to figure out how to alter the pattern to make something more complicated. The most useful part of the book, ironically, isn't even in the book: it's online at www.popupbooks.com, Carter's website. In the Surprise section, one can download all the patterns for making every example shown. Don't pass up buying the book, though. You'll most likely need Elements of Pop Up at your side to figure out how to assemble all your cut out pieces correctly. If you'd rather follow instructions and complete specific projects, I'd recommend Carter/Diaz's other book, Let's Make It Pop-Up! (ISBN 0-689-86508-2), which has pre-printed pictures and contains projects like Blooming Flower and Huggy Bear.

Look No Further!

If you need examples of just about every kind of pop-up mechanism imaginable, look no further. The book is beautifully and thoughtfully designed as well, and the big surprise at the beginning of the book never ceases to astound. Although there are no step-by-step instructions, there are clear descriptions about how to do each pop-up. And if you're like me and shudder at the thought of taking this gorgeous book apart, just go to the website on the book and download the templates. (or buy a second copy!)Thank you Mr. Carter and Mr. Diaz for a book that makes me very happy! :--)

A unique and wonderful "how to" & history.

It's hard to put an age range on this presentation which is definitely not for the very young: this provides a pop-up presentation on how to put together a pop-up book, surveying all angles of the paper engineering involved. From parallel and angle folds to pull tabs, this provides step-by-step coverage plus a history of pop-ups. Middle school age ranges on up will find it delightful.

No Fear of Popups

I can't even do origami cranes, so when I picked up Elements of Pop Up it was really scary. Inside this volume you'll find a graduate course in how to turn paper into that beloved art form, the popup book. I wish I taught high school art because I'd use this book as the basis of a whole semester's course. The author, David Carter, has done some of my favorite popups (Bugs in a Box, being one). This book proves that true genius is proved by the ability to make the extremely complex simple enough for an idiot like me to understand. After I read it, drooled over the various elements that are taught (by example) I was ready to go get a razor knife and some card stock and give it a try. Other than skiing down hills in Taos, there is nothing scarier for me than following directions on folding and cutting. I tried it with his directions and managed to adequately produce a kind of Forrest Gump version of Robert Sabuda's Movable Mother Goose. If practice makes perfect, then I've got about a thousand years of practice to go, but thanks to David Carter and James Diaz (who lives in my old home town Albuquerque) for making it possible.