Some folders tend to create and devise new bases entirely from scratch for a newly desired model. Many advantages rise from these newly designed bases. Certain paths of the paper may tend to be allocated to the desired appendages of the end product. (I.e. insect legs and wings people and objects).

There a many methods in devising new bases, I have listed a few of the techniques I use when devising new bases. The idea of creating a model from a 1:2 rectangle may be created from a square (by folding the edges of the paper to the centre. This idea has an advantage of the additional layers folded in the centre and to be pulled out later only to serve as more appendages. Another advantage is that since these appendages arise from the edge of the paper, it is possible to make a colour change towards the desired section of the appendage. Bulkiness will then to exist and may rip the paper of. Therefore, I recommend using tissue-foil for this approach.

Landmarking is also a very popular attempt made by folders including Robert Lang, John Montroll and others to name. A series of precreasing is made where an intersection of a crease marks the fold where the edge of the paper is folded. This technique moves the original square paper to a desired flat shape with certain edges of paper folded in, only to serve as appendages in the later part of the folding process. The collapsing of the paper from the existing landmarking creases produces the base with appendages; (most times layers of paper inside exist, providing an opportunity to create more appendages).

Another technique is to develop the appendages from the centre of the paper along with that allocating the edges of the paper for more appendages later. There is much more potential in the preliminary base itself alone. I have seen Steven Casey make a sink in the tip of the base, only to further sink the 45' sides of the base later. Once the sides have been sunk, the result is four points sticking out from the top (centre). It is possible to create a large set of insects from this idea. Steve Casey has created a grasshopper from this technique. Marc Kirschenbaum also uses this technique in designing some of his models (i.e. stegosaurus, tyrannosaurus skeleton). But his method is slightly different where he first makes precreases to landmark the point before the sinking is done. This results in two horizontal lines for a double sink to be done. Once the double sinking is complete, the sunken tip is brought down by a spread-squash landmarked by the early precreases at an angle of 22.5'. Nevertheless, these are very ingenious methods from creating appendages from the centre, noting there is potential to develop more appendages from the untouched edges.

Box-pleating another very unique way to create an unlimited variety of subjects and appendages. This style was first introduced by Neal Elias in the 60's has produced very unique subjects. The procedure begins by folding the paper into a series of accordion pleats (like the traditional fan). The more pleats the more number of appendages can be produced. Once the pleats a folded, the edge of the pleats a stretch from a certain length of pleats. This produces 45' creases that somewhat splits the paper up. Another stretch on the other side causes a point to appear out. Also noting these points come from the edge of the paper, thus there is another potential for a colour change to be done on the appendage.

Its obvious that you might fail on your first attempt from designing a base from scratch, but do not give up and look for any other alternatives one step further from the form with the impediment that prevented you from creating the model. This hindrance then will sabotage the image of the model and will make it look weird and bizarre.