BACE Blog

Featured guru :: Cindy Ng of Origami Bijou

July 19, 2010 by Mel Lim | business, featured gurus | 0 Comments

Featured guru :: Cindy Ng of Origami Bijou
Expertise: Origami Design

1) Tell us what you do?
It has always been extremely important for me to spend my limited time well and work on activities that are aligned with my values. Origami slowly evolved into one of the many interests I loved because it is a skill that requires a bit of intelligence, time, and patience.

I discovered origami as a child, but rediscovered it in college while I was at UC Davis, getting my bachelors in Business Economics. In between completing my courses, I had a desire to develop a unique skill set. Reading a 500-page book wasn’t attractive since I was already reading a lot during college, painting was an expensive art, and by sifting through the self imposed constraints, I discovered origami all over again.

I first practiced from an origami book, and then I realized that origami had certain constraints, which I addressed when I created my line of origami kits and in Girligami.

2) What is Origami design? What are the key distinctive features/ elements that define “origami” design?
Origami is taking a pliable material (paper, plastic, fabric, stainless steel), following a series of folds, and transforming it into a 3 dimensional model. Definitions of what qualifies as an origami design is subjective as it is relatively new field even though it has a rich history dating back to second century ad. The definition of origami will differ from designer to artist to scientist. I would call myself a liberal origami designer, as I believe that one should be allowed to create a few cuts or glue for a more dramatic effect. As long as you are folding 95% of the time, I would say it is origami.

3) Where do you see Origami design heading? What is its future?
If you’ve had the opportunity to watch Vanessa Gould’s award winning film, Between the Folds, you’ll realize origami’s limitless possibilities and it is only just the beginning. There are scientists working on algorithms in constructing origami models for cars and space exploration. In today’s fashion, you’ll see many origami-inspired tops, dresses and even shoes. I try to log all the different applications on origamiblog.com whenever I see origami applied as a source of inspiration or scientific exploration.

4) Name top 3 entrepreneurs/leaders/designers that you admire the most and why.
Entrepreneur: Stewart Levine. I met Stewart in masters swimming while I was living in California. He is a trained attorney who is a master at assisting individuals reach resolution when conflict arises. I admire him because he approaches anything he does with passion and is great at what he does. He taught me the phrase: “Don’t Throw The Baby Out With the Bath Water”

Leader: Igor Dyachenko. Igor is my Karate Sensei, a highly accomplished visionary who encourages everyone around him to reach his or her full potential. I admire him because he best exemplifies the phrase, “Lead by example”

Origami Designer and Scientist: Erik Demaine. I don’t know him personally, but I admire his brilliance and dedication to the world of paper folding.

5) Can you suggest your favorite books?
on conflict management: “Getting to Resolution”by Stewart Levine
on leading a meaningful life: “A Guide to the Good Life” by William Irvine
on technology and business: “The Innovator’s Dilemma” by Clayton Christensen

6) What is the difference between good and great design?
Good design shouldn’t exist. Why would you create something good, when you can create something great? Great design is designing with purpose, meaning, sustainability, and beauty in mind. Great design should also intrigue and inspire.

7) How do you define a good leader?
There are many things that define a good leader, but consistent qualities I see in a successful leader is one who has great professional and personal relationships, flexible, strategic, self sacrificing, ethical, and inspiring.

8) Can you tell us, what you are working on next?
I finished my second book proposal earlier this year and getting the details sorted out. Right now I’m working on a kite design competition.

9) What makes you happy?
Many things: being self aware, having solid/open/supportive relationships, sharing meaningful/fun/new experiences with individuals I adore, eating good food, practicing karate, enjoying nature, and working on my life goals.

10) If you weren’t doing Origami design, what would you be doing?
We’re in a really exciting period of time where we can create anything we envision. But if I can go back in time, I would have majored in exercise science so that I could dedicate my life to the sports and health field because right now I have an obsession with health. Then at night, I would teach and/or practice karate.