Hi!
I’m Ilya Zadornov, a programmer from Moscow who is passionate about origami.
Origami has been with me all my life in one form or another: paper boats and cranes in childhood, a few simple books of traditional models. In 2016 I started folding models more complex than a crane, but I only got properly acquainted with the theory and techniques in 2020. I began taking part in IOIO, and that motivated me to build up my skills. Origami became a calm and cozy hobby where I can express myself creatively.
Origami has many branches. I mostly work on representational origami, that is, folding models that depict objects, animals or people. Sometimes I also fold abstract models, such as tessellations, kusudamas or just something geometric.
I started folding from ordinary white office paper, since it was the most accessible material. I tried dyeing office paper, but quickly realized it is not suited to complex models at all. I had to find another material, which turned out to be an adventure of its own. After trying various kraft papers, tracing paper and parchment, I started experimenting with gluing sheets together. I tried spray adhesive. For more complex work that wasn’t enough, and over time I moved to double tissue and rice paper. Rice paper and tissue are still my main materials.
At the end of 2024 I started to develop my social media more actively and to work on my own models. Today I keep growing in origami: I study theory and techniques, pay more attention to materials, and try to make each model a little more precise and expressive.