Guided Course: 3D Paper Sculpture for editorial cover
A course by Diana Beltran HerreraIndustrial Designer
A course by Diana Beltran Herrera, Industrial Designer
Explore advanced papercraft techniques by creating a bird sculpture for a unique and creative editorial cover.
Explore the fascinating world of papercraft and turn simple sheets of paper into a stunning three-dimensional bird sculpture. Throughout the project, you'll develop skills in researching visual references, conceptualizing, and selecting the ideal materials for your creation. Learn to design an editorial cover that combines digital and manual techniques, ensuring a visually striking composition.
The practical section will guide you through the process of cutting and arranging pieces, constructing the skeleton, and assembling each bird's detailed parts. Discover how to achieve a realistic finish by gluing the tail, wings, feathers, beak, and eyes. Finally, bring your cover to life by creating an attractive background, incorporating lettering and decorative elements, and strategically positioning the bird for a professional result. Upon completion, you'll have mastered the art of papercraft and demonstrated your creative vision in a unique editorial cover.
What will you learn in this online course?
14 lessons & 11 downloads
Cover design
5 minutes, 8 seconds
Sort and Crop 1
15 minutes, 51 seconds
Sort and Crop 2
9 minutes, 40 seconds
We are going to make skeleton and legs of our bird
19 minutes, 44 seconds
We paste tail and wings
19 minutes, 0 seconds
We stick feathers, beak and eyes 1
20 minutes, 15 seconds
What's included in this course?
You'll learn to explore the art of papercraft to create detailed and unique paper sculptures. You'll begin by researching visual references and developing an artistic concept, carefully selecting the most appropriate materials for your project. You'll design an editorial cover, combining digital and manual tools, allowing you to express your creativity in innovative and original ways.
The practical phase will guide you through cutting and arranging paper pieces, constructing a bird's skeleton and legs, and adding elements such as the tail, wings, feathers, beak, and eyes for a realistic finish. You'll finish by designing the background and lettering, incorporating decorative elements, and positioning the sculpture on your cover. Upon completion of the project, you'll have developed advanced papercraft skills and demonstrated your ability to integrate art into compelling visual compositions.
What is this course's project?
The project involves creating a detailed paper sculpture of a bird, culminating in a striking editorial cover. You'll research references, select materials, design the layout, construct the bird, and finalize with a background, lettering, and decorative details.
Who is this online course for?
Aimed at craft lovers, illustrators, and designers eager to experiment with advanced papercraft. Ideal for those who want to explore new creative techniques and create unique three-dimensional compositions, blending digital elements with handcrafted papercraft.
Requirements and materials
Basic craft knowledge and access to tools like scissors and glue are required. You'll need paper of various types and colors, as well as stationery supplies. No advanced experience is necessary; just creativity and a desire to learn.
Reviews
- 5 months ago
Que bonito y creativo curso lo recomiendo
Nature and animals are very present in Diana Beltrán's work, which she explores endlessly through papercraft.
Her work has been exhibited in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the United States, where she has participated in group and solo shows. She has also worked for international clients in editorial design, advertising, window dressing, events, and interior design projects, working for 215 McCann, Olivari Olive Oil, Volevatch, Longwood Gardens US, ENI, Marina Rinaldi, Lebeau-Courally, James Cropper UK, Hodder and Stoughton UK, Horse Mag, On investing magazine, the Libertine Lindenberg Hotel, Restaurant Auberge de l'Ill, Mercedes Salazar, and UH Hospitals USA.
Content
Guided Course: 3D Paper Sculpture for editorial cover
- Podcast: Designing with Paper, Narrating in Volume
- materials
- Cover design
- Sort and Crop 1
- Sort and Crop 2
- We are going to make skeleton and legs of our bird
- We paste tail and wings
- We stick feathers, beak and eyes 1
- We stick feathers, beak and eyes 2
- We stick feathers, beak and eyes 3
- We'll start with the background and the lettering
- The decoration
- We posed the bird
- Final recommendations
- Final project
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FAQs
This course is designed for intermediate learners with some experience in papercraft or editorial design. Beginners may find basic concepts challenging, but those familiar with paper art or design fundamentals will benefit most.
You’ll need various types of paper, precision cutting tools, adhesives, a cutting mat, basic sketching supplies, and a camera or smartphone for photographing your work. Recommended lighting equipment may also enhance your results.
You’ll learn how to design and build three-dimensional paper covers, use lighting techniques for paper art, create narrative paper sculptures, and photograph your creations for both print and digital media.
Papercraft involves constructing three-dimensional objects from paper. In editorial design, it’s used to create visually striking, textured covers and illustrations that engage viewers through depth and storytelling.
You’ll learn to research, sketch, and plan compositions, cut and assemble paper forms, and arrange decorative and text elements to build a narrative, stage-like cover using papercraft methods.
Yes, the course covers how to use different lighting angles and intensities to highlight textures, create depth, and enhance the visual impact of paper sculptures in photographs.
The techniques you learn can be adapted for both print and digital campaigns. The course teaches how to photograph and digitally adapt your papercraft while preserving its narrative and dimensional qualities.