Paper Punk

Hey PaperPunk fans! If you missed Episode 4, no worries at all, catch it below!



In Episode 4, the scene opens up outside the rock concert attended by both Alex, Brad and their friends.
Alex and Brad leave the concert a little early and plan to go for a quick bite in the city. As soon as the two are spotted, paparazzi go crazy with their cameras, snapping photos of the pair.

Caught by surprise, Alex is taken back by all the flashes and begins to feel very uncomfortable. Of course, Brad realizes this is bad and apologizes on the media’s behalf.

The two hop in Brad’s car, grab a quick bite, and he drops her off at home explaining he would call her later.

The next morning, all hell breaks loose in the Fit’s household. Brad’s parents are outraged by the tabloids which read the two are spotted kissing outside the rock concert, hand in hand and appearing very close.


Brad and his parent’s get into a heated argument, which leaves Brad very annoyed and in a compromising situation with Alex. He just wants his mother and father to be happy for him for once.

What will come of Alex and Brad’s newfound romance? Is it sabotaged for good?

Stay tuned for Episode 5 airing June 23^rd to find out! #TheYoungAndTheDressless

This blog is an ode to our paper activity ancestors, Origami.

Did you know Origami is actually one of the world’s oldest forms of both art and craft? Literally meaning, “folding paper”, the act of folding paper into basic shapes and figures dates back to the Edo period (1603 – 1867) in Japan.

Here are some reasons why we think Origami ROCKS:

It's accessible.

Paper. All you need is paper and your two hands, that’s it! Who doesn’t have a piece of paper within an arm’s reach?

It’s beautiful.

With a few simple folds, you can create a stunning origami masterpiece. Create folded geometric feats from a simple piece of paper.

Origami goes beyond a few folds. It’s a great activity for improving your thinking skills and problem solving. Often there are videos like these that teach you how to fold, step by step: Origami Crane (Folding Instructions).

If you’re like us, you’ll give anything a try and then do it your own way. However, frustrating the learning process may be at times, you are actually improving your problem-solving skills even when your bird ends up looking like a dog. 

If you’re looking for an accessible craft that helps build your design intuition, try origami.

If you’re looking to add a little more STEM to your activities, try adding a little Paper Punk in the mix. Paper Punk is the best of both worlds, LEGO + Origami. 

 

When you think of graffiti what comes to mind? Drawings on the side of a building? Scribbles on the side of a train?

Paper Toys have long been a fascination to the world. Think back to when origami was a big fad. It’s not hard to see how popular paper toys have become, just check the internet. We’ve looked around the web and picked a few of our favorites. 

Old-School Polaroid Camera

How amazing is this old-school camera made out of paper!? This paper toy was created by Anna Trundle of ALTA Papercraft, who combines digital and handcrafted techniques into dimensional illustration.

Paper Fruit

Good enough to eat, am I right?! These juicy fruits make the perfect additions to your play kitchen or grocery stand. They will also make colorful decorations for kid’s rooms.

 

Architectural Paper Models

This masterpiece was created by an artist named Ingrid Siliakus. Making paper objects, she says, is a meditative process of cutting and folding the paper into different variations. And the result is extraordinary, a testament to what can be done with just one sheet of paper.

 

Graphic Paper Figures

One of our all time favorite paper toy artists is Shin Tanaka. He has famously taken street art and graffiti aesthetics to paper as his canvas. The geometry and graphic patterns and colors are a huge inspiration to Paper Punk. From first folding origami at the age of four to this collaborations with the likes of culture giants like Nike, Shin has helped fuel the paper toy mania to new heights.

Paper Blocks & Paper Dolls

Of course we can’t forget our very own creations. Our Paper Punk Color + Build Kits! These kits enable users to customize their very own 3D paper creations through folding and coloring. They also elevate the coloring craze with added dimensions, 3D construction, story-telling, and dream making. #MakeSomething


 

When you think of the idea of “play”, what comes to mind? Video games? Kids? Sports?

What mostly comes to mind when I think of play is children. Much like the picture above, I imagine kids running around with abandon chasing a ball outdoors or finding 100 new ways to engage with the empty box in the recycling bin. Rarely, does anyone ever envision an adult. Gone are the days when our biggest problem/concern was how fast we could eat our lunch in order to have more time to play. Even though play time and aging seem inversely related as we get older, the importance of it to our health and happiness remains the same.

Here is why having some play time is good for you:

It relieves stress.

You ever wonder why people recommend going to the gym to relieve stress? A little chemical called endorphins is released and actually causes you to feel good. Overriding pain and stress, endorphins are a happy chemical.

 

That same chemical reaction is released when you’re playing games. That feeling of euphoria when you score a goal, complete a hard level of a video game, or make someone pick up 20 cards in UNO is because of our new found friend – endorphins.

Improve brain function – Hello STEM toys!

Another reason why having some play time is important is because it helps improve your brain function. Activities like Paper Punk are meant for you to have fun and be as creative as you can, but what you may not know, is that you’re actually using your STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art Mathematic) skills to do so.

By following the numerical pattern and folding each sheet, you end up creating a 3D geometric piece you didn’t even know was there. (Say hello to dimensional thinking skills and good old fashioned geometry!)

Classics like chess and Monopoly help improve your skills as well, but they may also lose you some friends. Not speaking from experience, of course.

Keep you feeling young and energetic.                         

Lastly, setting aside some time for play helps keep you young. Put down the anti-aging cream and pick up some board games.

 

We're believers in not only taking time out of your day for play, but also continuing to incorporate it into your everyday lives as you grow older.

In all things, #MakeSomething.

Easter is just around the corner and there are so many fun arts and crafts ideas to get you and the kids in the mood to #MakeSomething!

We know this time of the year can be a busy one with family and friends, but why not incorporate some creativity in the mix to keep things interesting.

Here are some cute DIY project ideas everyone can participate in!

1) Paper Flowers

Paper flowers are likely to be the most popular trend when it comes to DIY arts and crafts for spring and it’s not hard to see why. You can make beautiful flowers of any shape or color and showcase them in an old vase.  The best part, you’ll have them for life!

2) Painting With Water Colors

Since it’s spring, the entire family can enjoy this art and craft in any way, shape, or form because there are so many beautiful things to paint and get creative with. Not to mention, it’s easy, fun, and the water-based paint wont damage furniture or clothes (something parents will appreciate!)

3) Construction Paper Easter Eggs

Construction paper crafts are simple and something kids will be familiar with. The great thing is that construction paper is versatile as there are so many colors to choose from! Scissors and glue are the best friends of this special craft. How cute are these Easter eggs!?

4) Paper Plate Bunnies

Make paper plate bunny rabbits for an Easter craft! Check your kitchen cabinets for some good old paper plates and use that imagination. This adorable rabbit craft uses other materials as well such as googly eyes, cotton balls, and pipe cleaners.

5) Building & Coloring with Paper Punk Color + Build Kits

Paper Punk’s Color + Build Graffiti Kit is a great way to get the mind flowing with positivity and things that make us happy like rainbows, hearts, and smiley face emojis. BONUS: you can add candy and treats in the Graffiti Blocks for even more happiness! The Fashion Designer Kit can inspire your little fashionistas to make cute outfits for spring through imaginative storytelling!

We hope you take the time this Easter to incorporate these fun art and craft activities into your weekend. We’re positive you and your family will not only enjoy the end results but enjoy the quality time spent with one another over the holiday season.

Happy Easter Paper Punk Fans!

They’re here!!!!!! Paper Punk’s new COLOR+BUILD My Life as a Fashion Designer and COLOR+BUILD Graffiti Happy Blocks Kits are now available for purchase at Target and here online! 

 

We are so psyched to share these two new products with you, your friends, and family. The Paper Punk play pattern just added a few new dimensions of coloring, story telling, and dream making with these COLOR+BUILD kits. We just know you will love making your mood and planning your fashion empire with us! In our tech driven lives, it’s too easy to get caught up in too much screen time. That’s why our kits are designed to feed your imagination and build your brain through hands-on play —all while spending quality time with loved ones. So… put down that iPad, turn off the TV, and allow your inner artist and dream of being a fashionista become reality.

In light of the launch, we’ve started a fun campaign around the Graffiti Block’s kit specifically and would encourage you to #PaperPunkItForward! All of the details are below! Enjoy :)

A sweet, meaningful hand-made drawing:

Like most people:

There’s something about the big city, bright light buzz of Times Square or even the pure bliss of riding your bike through Central Park that is convincing/motivating enough for anyone to consider a move to the Big Apple.

As we’ll be making my way to New York in a week, we can’t help but be excited to not only enjoy the sights (Street Style) of New York Fashion Week (NYFW), but also to debut our new Color + Build kits at New York Toy Fair.

Some of our favorite looks from last year’s NYFW street style edition include: 

It’s Inspire Your Heart with Art Day and we’re featuring a collection of Paper Punk creations that made our hearts flutter this month.

“There’s a variety of things you can build with Paper Punk. I love the retro punk look. He [Bot] looks like he’s a little rockstar.” - @origamitree

This month we were crazy about the Graffiti stickers, take a look!

Even though there were a lot of reasons to, we didn’t cry over spilled milk.

And despite our best intentions, not all of our resolutions have been kept.

Nonetheless, we’re looking forward to rocking February and yes, love is in the air! Can’t you tell? #PunkStruck

We would love to feature you in our next artist/fan appreciation blog in February. Don’t be a punk and make sure to tag us in your work. Use #MakeSomething #PaperPunk said so for your chance to be included.