Making Pictures Pop

Artist Matthew Reinhart works at a table covered with paper scraps in his studio in New York City. He cuts, folds, glues, and tapes pieces together. At first, his creation looks like a flat shape. Then Reinhart pulls a paper tab. Suddenly, the flat shape seemingly springs to life. It unfolds into a 3-D sculpture of a monster that waves its claws and gnashes its teeth.

Reinhart designs pop-up books. He brings stories to life with dinosaurs that bite and fairy-tale princesses that spin. Reinhart combines science, engineering, and art to make his amazing paper creations.

Artist Matthew Reinhart works at a table. It’s covered with paper scraps. He’s in his studio in New York City. He cuts, folds, glues, and tapes pieces together. His artwork looks like a flat shape at first. Then Reinhart pulls a paper tab. The flat shape suddenly seems to spring to life. It unfolds into a 3-D sculpture. It’s a monster. It waves its claws and snaps its teeth.

Reinhart designs pop-up books. He brings stories to life. Some of his books have dinosaurs that bite. Other books have fairy-tale princesses that spin. Reinhart mixes science, engineering, and art. That’s how he makes his amazing paper creations.

Making a new pop-up book takes a lot of planning. Reinhart first writes an outline showing what will be on each page. For example, a dinosaur book might include a pop-up T. rex. “I think: What’s the coolest way for readers to encounter a T. rex?” says Reinhart. “Maybe it tries to bite them!”

Next is the engineering stage. “That’s when I cut and fold paper to figure out how to make a T. rex that bites,” says Reinhart. Different folding techniques help him create different effects.

Making a new pop-up book takes a lot of planning. Reinhart first writes an outline. It shows what will be on each page. For example, a dinosaur book might include a pop-up T. rex. “I think: What’s the coolest way for readers to encounter a T. rex?” says Reinhart. “Maybe it tries to bite them!”

Next is the engineering stage. “That’s when I cut and fold paper to figure out how to make a T. rex that bites,” says Reinhart. He uses different folding methods. It helps him create different effects.

One trick Reinhart often uses is called a “v-fold.” He folds a triangular piece of paper in half and places it in the center of a book. He attaches a pop-up part, such as a T. rex head, on top. When the book is closed, the v-fold stays flat (see photos). When a reader turns to that page, the v-fold opens, pushing a pop-up part across the page. Changing the angle of the v-fold changes how far and fast the part moves.

One trick Reinhart often uses is called a “v-fold.” He folds a triangle-shaped piece of paper in half. He places it in the center of a book. He attaches a pop-up part on top. It could be a shape like a T. rex head. The v-fold stays flat when the book is closed (see photos). The v-fold opens when a reader turns to that page. It pushes a pop-up part across the page. Reinhart can change the angle of the v-fold. That changes how far and fast the part moves.

Every pop-up Reinhart creates is unique. Making one takes a lot of trial and error. He builds each pop-up as many as 20 times until it works exactly how he wants. “I go through a lot of paper!” he says. “But failing is OK. That’s how I discover ways to make a piece move in a really new and cool way.”

Every pop-up Reinhart creates is special. Making one takes a lot of trial and error. He builds each pop-up as many as 20 times. He keeps working until it looks exactly right. “I go through a lot of paper!” he says. “But failing is OK. That’s how I discover ways to make a piece move in a really new and cool way.”

Next, Reinhart colors his pop-ups. He may use paint, paper collage, or digital art.

Once Reinhart has crafted the perfect pop-up, he carefully takes it apart. He marks the pieces to show how they fit together, then scans them into his computer. That makes a pattern. A manufacturer prints the pattern and assembles the pop-ups for the final book.

It takes Reinhart about six months of work to design each pop-up book. “But it’s worth it to take something you had in your mind and make it happen before your eyes,” he says.

Next Reinhart colors his pop-ups. He may use paint, paper collage, or digital art. Finally, Reinhart has the perfect pop-up. Then he carefully takes it apart. He marks the pieces. This shows how they fit together. Next he scans them into his computer. That makes a pattern. A manufacturer prints the pattern. It’s assembled into the pop-ups for the final book.

Making a pop-up book takes Reinhart about six months of work. “But it’s worth it to take something you had in your mind and make it happen before your eyes,” he says.