Radial Paper Relief Sculptures
What is symmetry?
• Symmetry is a type of formal balance in which an
image or object maintains equitable weight when
divided by a “line of symmetry”.
• For example, if I draw
a line down the
center of this
butterfly, the right
side and the left side
look about the same
(they are a reflection
of one another)..
Line of symmetry!
This image has linear
symmetry!
Linear Symmetry
• Sometimes called bilateral symmetry, linear
symmetrical objects only have one line of
symmetry.
I can divide this
image in half
vertically.
But I cannot
divide it
horizontally.
Examples of Linear Symmetry
Radial symmetry
• Radial symmetry is a type of formal balance in
which objects radiate around a central point
and has more than one line of symmetry.
Linear Symmetry
Radial Symmetry
Examples of radial symmetry
Radial symmetry is very often found in nature.
Creating Radial Symmetry
• The best way to
create an image with
radial symmetry is to
work from the
center and work
your way out.
• Make sure that you
are repeating the
same elements all
the way around the
center point!
Creating Radial Symmetry
• To create a radial symmetric design, you must
divide your image area into equal “slices” (just
like a pie) that radiate around a central point.
¼ + ¼ + ¼ + ¼ = 4/4 which reduces to 1 whole
1/4
1/4
1/4
1/4
GREAT! You now have a central
point and have divided your
area into fourths.
You can create a simple radial
design with this template!
Notice how you need 4 shapes
to fill in all the fourths?
Creating Radial Symmetry
• To create a more complex design, you can
divide the space even further!
1/8
1/8
⅛ + ⅛ = 2/8
which reduces to 1/4
1/8
1/8
1/8
1/8
1/8
1/8
⅛+⅛+⅛+⅛
+ ⅛ + ⅛ + ⅛ + ⅛ = 8/8
which reduces to 1 whole
Creating Radial Symmetry
• For this project we will be learning 3 basic
folds which you will use to create a radial
design.
The Hat Fold
The Kite Fold
The Samurai
Fold
Creating Radial Symmetry
When starting in the center The hat fold takes up ¼
of the center.
The kite fold takes up ⅛
of the center.
The samurai fold takes
up ¼ of the center.
Creating Radial Symmetry
Hat Fold
Samurai Fold
Kite Fold
How many kite folds would
I need to complete one full
rotation around the center
point?
⅛+⅛+⅛+⅛
+ ⅛ + ⅛ + ⅛ + ⅛ = 8/8
which reduces to 1 whole
If each kite fold covers
⅛ of the area, you
would need 8 kite folds.
Creating Radial Symmetry
Hat Fold
Samurai Fold
Kite Fold
¼ + ¼ + ¼ + ¼ = 4/4 which
reduces to 1 whole
How many samurai folds
would I need to complete
one full rotation around
the center point?
If each samurai fold
covers ¼ of the area, you
would need 4 samurai
folds.
Learning the folds…
How-to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N0JTtz_DNM
Learning the folds…
Learning the folds…
Creating Radial Symmetry
• Now create your own radial symmetry paper
relief sculpture! You can even create your own
folds!
What you need:
Glue
Lots of 3” x 3” colored
paper for folding!
12” x 12” piece of black
construction paper.
Fold in half vertically, horizontally,
then diagonally both ways.
This will create your guidelines for
construction.
Examples