While studying graphic design in college, German artist Peter Dahmen was given an assignment to create a 3D object out of paper. Though he loved the task and the opportunity to work with his favourite medium, there was one problem: he didn’t have a safe way of transporting the finished product to class. That’s when he devised a plan to fold the sculpture flat, like a pop-up book. This small decision would eventually lead him to become a full-time paper engineer. Where most of us see a plain white sheet, Peter sees the raw material for works of art. The video below shows the remarkable intricacies that go into building these stunning models. However, it also reveals all of the hard work and experimentation that goes with making something completely original. “My first sketches were very simple and very ugly… So the best thing I can tell for people who want to learn something is don’t give up if you fail; I myself fail a lot of times.” To see more of Peter’s pop-up sculptures, visit his website.