Math Art Project Personal Write-ups

At the beginning of this project, I was doubtful about whether we could successfully recreate Eric Gjerde’s tessellation, since the intricate folds and layered symmetry appeared very complex. However, after searching on YouTube and finding a tutorial, I realized that by carefully following the guided steps we could reproduce the structure and even make our own slightly revised version. Through this process, I noticed that the mathematics behind Gjerde’s original hexagon tessellation relies heavily on 120° rotational symmetry, hexagonal tiling, and repeating twist folds that interlock seamlessly across the plane. In contrast, when we worked on a variation using square paper, the underlying mathematics shifted: instead of hexagonal tiling, the design emphasized 90° rotations, reflective symmetry across axes, and the layering of concentric shapes. This contrast highlighted how different polygons produce different geometric constraints and patterns, even when applying the same origami techniques like pleat intersections and twist folds. 

For me, this showed that origami tessellations are not only artistic but also deeply mathematical, demonstrating concepts such as symmetry groups, angle measures, and tiling properties in a tangible form. I found this process to be an approachable teaching tool, since the folding steps naturally illustrate how abstract mathematical ideas connect to real-life problem solving and hands-on creativity.