Lover of super-complex origami, have folded since I was a child, teaching origami for all skill levels! I work at your pace, so there's no pressure!

Learn more about Hau

• When did you start practicing? How did this passion find you?

  When I was in elementary school, I started out looking for paper airplanes to fold online after seeing some other kids throwing around paper planes. I wanted to show them up and make a "better" plane than them. That led me to see other things online that people folded besides planes, and I began to find all sorts of cool looking animals, insects, and many other subject materials. I was captivated by the sheer ingenuity origami artists could demonstrate with a single uncut square. I've been folding ever since, learning and improving as I strived to add different models to my collection.

• Which artists or works affect you the most?

  Robert J Lang - Robert Lang's Origami Design Secrets and other works have given origami not just an artistic foundation but demonstrate the beauty of how it can be used to illustrate principles of math and engineering. His methods for designing new models are essential for anyone hoping to form their own, original designs.
  
  Satoshi Kamiya - His Phoenix, Ancient Dragon, and Ryu-Jin are some of the most beautiful and inspiring models I've ever seen. His three books are the zenith of what an origami folder strives to achieve.

• What are the qualities and skills required to succeed in this area?

  Patience is the most important thing required, by far. The more complex the model, the more difficult, intense, and numerous the folds are. You need to be able to take a step back and relax, focus, and do not give up when a model asks you to do a complex series of maneuvers you've never done before. You need to be able to grit your teeth and accept "repeating steps 46-92 on the three additional flaps". You need to be as gentle as necessary to make sure your work doesn't all go to waste as you destroy the paper. Trust me, it's harder than it seems to not want to throw it away once you feel like you've messed up something.

• What is the most valuable advice you can give to help someone stay focused on creative projects?

  Again, be patient. Remind yourself why you're doing this. Look at the final result, and think of how that would look on your shelf. Most importantly, make sure this is your true passion. You won't get very far if the only reason you're doing this is to impress others. Recognition is nice, absolutely, but you should be doing this first and foremost for yourself. If you don't get enjoyment out of doing something, don't do it!

• How would you describe your passion; how does it make you feel?

  I've stuck with origami as a hobby for almost 20 years now. I still enjoy delving into new models and learning the creative process and procedure behind everything. I get so much satisfaction after completing a design, particularly if I was challenged or confused in many directions along the way. It humbles me when someone goes, "Hey, that looks cool!"

• What creative achievements are you particularly proud of?

  Successfully folding Satoshi Kamiya's Phoenix and Nguyen Huong Cuong's Eagle are some of the most proud I've been after finishing a model.

• Have you ever been surprised by a student; by their ability or quick progression?

  I've been surprised at the range of the students that I see, and how passionate they are no matter the age. Whether they're children or an older parent of three, origami is truly an art for all ages. Learning through webcam technology is also a relatively new possibility enabled through sites like Superprof, and it allows me to see all sorts of folks hoping to capture the essence of origami.

• Being a Superprof is an art! What is your secret?

  For them: Do what you love. Stop and take a break when you feel burnt out. Don't ever force yourself to do X or Y amount of projects in Z amount of time.
  For profs: Work at their speed. Learn what they want to do, what their goals are. Prove that what you're doing is fun. Don't let it become "homework" for them!