Origami tessellations are essentially patterns, folded with origami, that repeat themselves as long as you want to continue folding.
There are 2 major types of tessellations, the classic type and corrugations.
Classic tessellations are usually based on either a square or hexagonal grid. The paper in these tessellations is folded into an odd number of layers to make the shapes and patterns.
There’s always an odd number of layers since the paper needs to always be folded back on itself to continue the pattern.
Because different sections of the tessellations have different numbers of layers you can turn on a light behind the tessellation for some neat effects.
Corrugations are made with one layer and the tessellation pattern is formed with wrinkles and waves in the paper. You can see the entire surface of the paper and it doesn’t look that neat to put a light behind it.
There are a couple other types of tessellations and even combinations of them in the same model. This post features a collection of mostly classic tessellations and corrugations.
Our first image for this post is a basket weave classic tessellation. It was photographed at an origami convention.
Basket Weave Tessellation, Designed by Joel Cooper and Folded by Tom Crain (Photo by Evan Zodl)
Instructions not available
This next model is an example of a corrugation. You can see how the paper is folded into waves and is all one layer, especially when compared to the previous example.
Adulthood, Designed and Folded by Ilan Garibi
Instructions not available
Here’s a flowery looking classic tessellation.
Double Triangle Sawtooth, Designed by Miguel Blanco Munoz and Folded by Beth Johnson
Instructions available in Origami Tessellations: Awe-Inspiring Geometric Designs
Here’s another excellent corrugation. It’s design is based on M. C. Escher’s Ascending and Descending stairs artwork.
Escher Stairs, Designed and Folded by Ilan Garibi
Instructions not available
This next image is a third type of tessellation called a Recursive Tessellation. These tessellations are kind of fractal in design with the pattern getting smaller towards the middle and larger towards the outside.
A Star, Designed and Folded by Jun Mitani
Crease pattern available from Jun Mitani’s website
Here’s an example of a tessellation with a backlight.
Heptamerous ver 3, Designed and Folded by Ilan Garibi
Instructions not available
This is an absolutely incredible tessellation. Alessandro Beber is an expert at weaving in different shapes and designs into the pattern.
Penrose+, Designed and Folded by Alessandro Beber
Diagrams available in Origami New Worlds
Here’s another fantastic example of an origami corrugation.
Inspiration-L, Designed and Folded by Ekaterina Lukasheva
Instructions not available
Here’s a fantastic classic style tessellation pattern.
Mystery, Designed and Folded by Ilan Garibi
Instructions not available
I’ve the 3D look of Alessandro Beber’s tessellations.
Promises, Designed and Folded by Alessandro Beber
Diagrams available in Origami New Worlds
In this next image you can see how you can continue the pattern indefinitely if you have large enough paper.
Spread Rhombi, Designed and Folded by Peter Keller
Instructions not available
Here’s another awesome corrugation.
NSNS, Designed and Folded by Ilan Garibi
Instructions not available
This tessellation is designed to look like a series of pagodas.
Bagan, Designed and Folded by Ilan Garibi
Instructions not available
Here we have a beautiful tessellation that’s sort of a mixture between classic tessellations and corrugations.
Circle Tessellation, Designed by Benjamin Parker and Folded by Beth Johnson
Instructions not available
A lot of these tessellations almost look like the magic eye images. You can almost get lost in them when you stare for a while.
Go THIS Way – side D, Designed and Folded by Ilan Garibi
Instructions not available
Here’s another one of Alessandro Beber’s awesome 3D-looking designs.
Space 0, Designed and Folded by Alessandro Beber
Diagrams available in Origami New Worlds
This next model is a very unique idea creating an origami tessellation with a set of paper trees. The end result is a pretty cool looking forest.
The Rules of the Jungle, Designed and Folded by Ilan Garibi
Instructions not available
This tessellation is an excellent example of how tessellations don’t have to be based simple geometric shapes. You can also create great curved or organic looking patterns.
Designed and Folded by Ekaterina Lukasheva
Instructions not available
Ekaterina Lukasheva also made a time lapse video showing the model being folded.
Here’s another excellent corrugation design.
Hidden Garden, Designed and Folded by Ilan Garibi
Instructions not available
Here’s a kind of delicious looking tessellation.
Icings Variation Ib, Designed and Folded by Melina Hermsen
Instructions not available
This tessellation is also inspired by M.C. Escher.
Which way is up? Designed and Folded by Ilan Garibi
Instructions not available
Here’s another awesome 3D optical illusion-like tessellation.
Cubes Tessellation #1, Designed and Folded by Alessandro Beber
Diagrams available in Origami New Worlds
This next tessellation has quite a different design and shows that you can combine different patterns and shapes to make something unique.
Samsara Wheel, Designed Alessandro Beber and folded by Dzmitry Lysiuk
Instructions not available
I quite like how you can see both sides of this tessellation. It’s cool seeing how the back of it looks, in many cases the back of the pattern also has a really cool look.
Penrose Triangle Tessellation, Designed and Folded by Alessandro Beber
Diagrams available in Origami New Worlds
Our final model for this post is something very unique. Ilan Garibi used origami tessellation techniques to make this paper QR code. The crazy thing is that this QR code actually works. If you hold your phone up to your monitor you can actually scan it!
This model uses 64 sheets of paper.
Pixelated Froebel, Designed and Folded by Ilan Garibi
Instructions not available
If you want to get into origami tessellations we recommend you check out the book Origami Tessellations: Awe-Inspiring Geometric Designs by Eric Gjerde. It has some great beginner level tessellations if you’re just starting out as well as some much harder ones if you’re looking for a challenge.
