Ryan Dong

Ryan Dong is a New York-based origami artist and designer known for his innovative approach to paper folding. Originally from China, he developed his passion for the craft through self-study before moving to the United States. His artistic journey took a significant turn when he relocated to New York City, where he discovered a vibrant community of folders and joined the OrigamiUSA organization.

A graduate of the City College of New York, Ryan combined his graphic design skills with his passion for folding to create his thesis project, “One Sheet, Two Colors.” This instructional book showcases his signature design style using duo-colored paper to create models where color changes are achieved strictly through folding, without cuts or glue.

Ryan is an active contributor to the global origami community. His work has been featured in the annual Holiday Tree at the American Museum of Natural History. Notably, in June 2023, he and fellow artist Paul Frasco broke a Guinness World Record for creating the “Largest Origami Swan,” a massive installation displayed at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel.

While modern trends often favor video tutorials, Ryan remains a strong advocate for the educational value of diagrams. He believes that learning to read traditional folding instructions is essential for developing a beginner’s spatial imagination and understanding the “language” of origami. He continues to design original models, ranging from intricate animals to pop-culture characters.