YouTube's origami artists are in the fold
Mar 14, 2025 – [[read-time]] minute read
Let's turn that pile of paper into something spectacular, shall we? The origami community on YouTube is doing just that.
Origami creators on YouTube are a testament to tangible artistry, thriving in a world of digital innovation. In 2024, there were more than 300,000 uploads of videos related to origami.* These videos show how simple paper can be transformed in seconds, reminding viewers of the profound satisfaction found in handcrafting. Creators like the Brazilian-based Origami with Jo Nakashima have cultivated millions of subscribers for their tutorials of varying difficulties.
Popular formats such as DIY tutorials and time-lapses provide clear, often visually driven instruction, sometimes without any spoken guidance. This visual emphasis makes the content accessible to a global audience. The origami community’s overlap with the miniatures community also highlights the adaptability of paper craft, demonstrating its ability to create detailed and scaled-down representations of real-world objects.
Today, on the birthday of Akira Yoshizawa, the Japanese origami artist who is considered “the father of modern origami”, we are celebrating the origami community with a unique version of the YouTube logo (also known as the Yoodle). To take part in the craft, or marvel at it in motion, head to this playlist where creators produce everything from dragons to flower bouquets.
*Source: YouTube data, Global, January 1 - December 31 2024.