1. Radial Paper Relief Sculptures

2. This image has linear symmetry!
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”.
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)..
This image has linear symmetry!

3. Linear Symmetry I can divide this image in half vertically.
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.

4. Examples of Linear Symmetry

5. 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

6. Examples of radial symmetry
Radial symmetry is very often found in nature.

7. 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!

8. 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
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?
1/4
1/4
1/4
1/4

9. Creating Radial Symmetry
To create a more complex design, you can divide the space even further!
⅛ + ⅛ = 2/8
which reduces to 1/4
1/8
1/8
⅛ + ⅛ + ⅛ + ⅛
+ ⅛ + ⅛ + ⅛ + ⅛ = 8/8
which reduces to 1 whole
1/8
1/8
1/8
1/8
1/8
1/8

10. 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 Samurai Fold
The Kite Fold

11. 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.

12. 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?
If each kite fold covers ⅛ of the area, you would need 8 kite folds.
⅛ + ⅛ + ⅛ + ⅛
+ ⅛ + ⅛ + ⅛ + ⅛ = 8/8
which reduces to 1 whole

13. Creating Radial Symmetry
Hat Fold
Samurai Fold
Kite Fold
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.
¼ + ¼ + ¼ + ¼ = 4/4 which reduces to 1 whole

14. Learning the folds…
How-to video:

15. Learning the folds…

16. Learning the folds…

17. Creating Radial Symmetry
Now create your own radial symmetry paper relief sculpture! You can even create your own folds!
What you need:
12” x 12” piece of black construction paper.
Fold in half vertically, horizontally, then diagonally both ways.
This will create your guidelines for construction.
Glue
Lots of 3” x 3” colored paper for folding!

18. Examples