Making Pop-Up Cards for Beginners
A course by Julia YusGraphic Designer
A course by Julia Yus, Graphic Designer
Learn pop-up techniques and create amazing 3D cards.
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of pop-up with Julia Yus, a talented graphic designer specialized in paper engineering. In this course, you will learn how to create amazing three-dimensional cards, from the basic mechanisms to the illustration and assembly of the pieces.
Discover how to capture the beauty of small everyday details and explore the infinite possibilities of paper. Julia will guide you through every stage of the creative process, from analyzing parallel structures and pull-tab mechanisms, to digitizing miniature mock-ups and choosing the most suitable type of printing.
By the end of this course, you will have acquired the necessary skills to apply pop-up techniques to your own projects and make them raise smiles in those who see them.
What will you learn in this online course?
16 lessons & 21 downloads
Materials and tools for pop-up
5 minutes, 31 seconds
Parallel mechanisms
13 minutes, 57 seconds
Beyond parallel mechanisms 1
18 minutes, 51 seconds
Beyond parallel mechanisms 2
11 minutes, 54 seconds
Reed mechanisms
10 minutes, 53 seconds
Beyond reed mechanisms
9 minutes, 39 seconds
What's included in this course?
To begin, you will explore the basic techniques of paper engineering, analyzing how parallel structures and strip or tab mechanisms work. Next, you will learn the importance of finding a concept for your project and you will work on the first miniature mock-ups of your pop-up cards, later taking them to full scale.
After digitizing them, you will immerse yourself in the exciting world of illustration and explore which type of printing is most suitable to bring your creations to life. Finally, you will learn the tricks and techniques necessary to assemble the cards with a professional finish.
With each lesson, Julia will guide you step by step, sharing her knowledge and experiences so you can master the art of the pop-up and express yourself uniquely through paper.
What is this course's project?
In this course, you will have the opportunity to make three three-dimensional cards based on special moments for you. Using the techniques learned, you will give life to your own pop-up creations, translating your ideas and emotions into unique and surprising pieces. At the end of the project, you will have three cards that you can give as gifts or keep as mementos of special moments in your life.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is aimed at all those people who wish to learn or improve their creative skills in the world of pop-up and paper engineering. It doesn't matter if you are a beginner or have previous experience, Julia Yus will guide you throughout the entire creative process. If you are curious to explore new forms of expression through paper and are passionate about capturing the beauty of everyday details, this course is perfect for you.
Requirements and materials
To take this course, you will need to have paper of different types and colors, ruler, colored pencils, eraser, cutter, scissors and glue on hand. In addition, it is recommended to have a comfortable and well-lit workspace, as well as having photographs or reference images on hand that inspire you for your projects.
Reviews
- 10 days ago
Un curso muy entretenido y práctico =) Me ha ayudado muchísimo a comprender la lógica básica del pop-up
- 27 days ago
Adorei! Muito pratico e criativo!
- 1 month ago
Nice course!
- 2 months ago
Corso molto pratico, insegna le pieghe di base e nello specifico a fare quello che dice nel progetto. Spiegato molto bene.
- 3 months ago
Lo que quería, me encantó.
Thanks to her self-taught training in the world of pop-up, Julia has developed her unique style and has collaborated with renowned illustrators, such as Itousa, to transform her drawings into surprising three-dimensional works. Her creative approach is based on observing the world with an almost childlike curiosity, finding inspiration in the simplest details of everyday life.
With extensive experience in designing three-dimensional cards for private clients and collaborating on editorial projects, Julia is passionate about transmitting joy and emotions through the art of pop-up.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Presentation
- Influences
- U2
Introduction to pop-up
- Materials and tools for pop-up
- Parallel mechanisms
- Beyond parallel mechanisms 1
- Beyond parallel mechanisms 2
- Reed mechanisms
- Beyond reed mechanisms
- U3
Concept and mockups
- Concept and mood board
- Miniature models
- Full scale models
- Digitization of models
- U4
Final cards
- Illustration in Procreate
- The impression
- Assembling the toast and pancake cards
- Assembly of the churros card with chocolate
- FP
Final project
- Creating Pop-Up Cards for Beginners
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
Paper engineering is the art of creating three-dimensional paper structures and mechanisms, such as pop-up cards and books, enabling stunning visual effects and movement in personalized, creative projects.
No prior experience in paper engineering is needed, but basic skills in crafts and graphic design are recommended to get the most out of the course.
You’ll need paper or cardstock, glue, double-sided tape, a craft knife or cutter, cutting mat, ruler, scoring tool for folds, and pencils for sketching. A circle cutter and painter’s tape are also recommended for more complex structures.
You’ll learn how to design, illustrate, and build pop-up cards, create parallel mechanisms, construct cylinders, arches, tabs, and cascade mechanisms, plus combine cutting, folding, and gluing techniques to make creative and functional structures.
Yes, this course is perfect for designers, illustrators, and creatives interested in customizing gifts, developing unique editorial products, and exploring new paper packaging and design techniques.
The course covers parallel, symmetrical, asymmetrical mechanisms, cylinders, columns, arches, boats, and tab mechanisms, as well as how to combine these for striking, personalized visual effects.
It’s best to choose medium to heavyweight papers with good flexibility to ensure durability and movement. The course explains how to pick the right materials based on the mechanism type and desired finish.