Nathan Ward

I created this winter installation “Poles Apart!”currently on display in Farnham’s Lion and Lamb Yard. Made entirely from @gfsmithpapers this polar bear stands at 1.5 Meters tall 🐻‍❄️✂️ I wanted to add some Christmas cheer to my hometown in what's been a difficult year for independent shops and cafes; it's on display in the ex Laura Ashley store until the 4th January ❄️✨ Special thanks to @vanessa_gfsmith , Curchod & Co and Wolfe Property. Conceptualisation with @trawls_ Thanks for the help @a_underwood7 . . . . . #paper #paperart #papercrafts #craft #crafting #making #card #windowdisplay #installation #3d #polarbear #penguin #penguins #surrey #farnham #lionandlamb #northpole #southpole #visualmerchandising #papercrafting #papermodel #papercraft #paperartist #paperartistcollective #strictlypaperart #design #designer #gfsmith #make #maker #windowdisplay @farnhamrocks @farnhamcrafttown @virtualfarnham @wearefarnham @thelionandlambyard @windowdisplaydesign @visualwindows27 @strictlypaperart @visualmerchandisingdaily @design.inspirationss @visualtrendsmerchandising

Papercraft lion for @leathersmith.london 🦁✂️ I was recently commissioned to realise Leathersmith of London's lion emblem, celebrating 180 years of traditional craftsmanship. I created the lion using Morocco embossed papers from @gfsmithpapers the leather-textured emboss was selected to represent the release of Leathersmith of London’s 2025 Diary range. See it on display in @theplacelondonfashion Connaught Street @connaughtvillage Roar! . . . . . #make #maker #makes #3d #craft #crafting #crafted #design #making #paper #paperart #make #paperartist #artist #designer #create #creative #installation #display #vm #windowdisplay #cut #lowpoly #art #artisan #scupture #statue #lion #roar #leather #diary @_debutart @strictlypaperart

Paper Parrots and foliage created for the @antalisuk show stand at the @vmdisplayshow this week 🦜🦜 Made from Antalis Creative Papers Keaykolour and Olins ✂️ Thanks to Claire at Antalis for getting me involved. . . . . . #paper #card #craft #crafts #crafting #design #designer #make #maker #making #3d #art #artist #paperartist #paperinstallation #lowpoly #papercut #papercraft #papercrafts #antalis #creative #creativity #crafted #bespoke #handmade #create #creativity #artistry #model #modelmaking #parrots @_debutart @bdclondon @paperandpeople_ @strictlypaperart

I was delighted to be commissioned to design and create the papercraft trophies for the Gmund Awards, which were presented last week during the Unfolded Festival at the @gmundpaper mill in Bavaria, Germany. Designing awards for fellow designers is a great honour, and it’s hard to fully convey the sense of responsibility that comes with such a task. The awards celebrate design and creativity, recognising individuals and teams who are among the best in their fields. It’s very meaningful to have created these for the winners. The awards feature Gmund’s new Gmund Colors papers, and it was a fantastic feeling to be among the first to use them! Thank you, Gmund, for inviting me to be part of the Unfolded Festival! @_debutart @paperartistcollective @allthingspaper @strictlypaperart #gmund #gmundaward #gmundpaper #design #award

Sirio Color takes on new life in this striking series of handcrafted animals by @thisisnathanward , created for ZooTown at @zsllondonzoo . 🐊🦋🦍🐧🐭🦜 Each piece captures character, movement and presence through carefully cut shapes and bold colour, showing how paper can be both playful and expressive, transforming flat sheets into a habitat for imagination. 🐾 #fedrigoni #siriocolor #nathanward #londonzoo #worldwildlifeday

When a client like Google or Hermes needs an eye-catching display, they’ve been known to call Nathan Ward (@thisisnathanward ). This week on the All Things Paper blog, I explore the incredible portfolio of this London-based paper artist. Nathan bridges the gap between digital precision and traditional craftsmanship, creating everything from low-poly tropical parrots to ethereal, life-size nativities. Whether he’s mimicking leather with embossed papers or weatherproofing wisteria for outdoor garden experiences, Nathan’s work proves that with enough vision, a simple sheet of paper can become a showpiece. Enjoy getting to know him via the link in my bio LinkTree.

‘Making Impressions’ I’m thrilled to share that I designed and created my first window display of the year for @mountstreetprinters at their lovely Mayfair store. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of creating many displays for Mount St Printers, and it’s always a rewarding way to kick off a new year! This window is crafted entirely from Colorplan Azure Blue from @gfsmithpapers @colorplan_papers . The display creates depth with subtle shadows, complemented by a splash of vibrant orange vinyl. The paper-craft shapes I made serve as podiums for Mount St Printer’s bespoke print and stationery projects, letting their incredible work take centre stage. Together, we’ve thoughtfully chosen a lot of brightly coloured work to herald the upcoming spring season! 💙🧡 #paper #display #papercraft #artist #maker

And that's a fold on 2025! ✨ Thanks so much to everyone who commissioned me, reached out, liked, saved, shared, or commented on my work in 2025! Your support means everything, and I truly appreciate it 😊🙌 I'm excited to share some highlights from my papercraft journey this year! There have been so many exciting moments this year that it has been hard to cover them all in a single post, I’ve tried to here! Special thanks to @newdesigners for commissioning me to create their 40th-anniversary sculpture created from @gfsmithpapers . A big shoutout to @friendsandcouk for the fantastic media coverage! Special thanks to @vanessa__fletcher . This cover image captured by @markcocksedge 💙 It was great to be asked to speak publicly and lead a workshop to over 100+ participants onstage with @jamescropperpaper at @londonpackagingweek @excellondon . Thanks for @we_are_exp for the incredible content 🙌 It was an honour to work with fellow paper artist @hattienewman to create delicate paper roses and ivy for Cecil Beaton’s Fashionable World at the @nationalportraitgallery 🤍✨ A favourite project was crafting paper red squirrels, chestnuts, and acorns for @clogaujewellery from @colorplan_papers 🐿️🌰 Another exciting project was a 17-metre hanging stairwell installation commissioned by @googleuk in collaboration with @audienceldn 🔴🔵🟢⚪🟡 Awesome to have been commissioned to make 3D papercraft signage for @papershow.ch London organised by @foilcoltd Also great to be asked to design window displays for @metier using @colorplan_papers January, I had a special trip to visit the lovely folks at @jamescropperpaper to deliver a unique artwork celebrating their collaboration with @bruichladdich Designed wisteria flowers using @tyvekdesign from @antalisuk I had fun creating lots of animals for @zsllondonzoo 🦋🦍🐧🐊 My 2025 kicked off with a window display for @mountstreetprinters in Mayfair I was invited by @janelebon to create papercraft for Christmas @waddesdonmanor_nt , this time designing five feathered trees with @jamescropperpaper Thanks to my amazing agents @_debutart 🙌☺️ Here's to a productive 2026!🌟 #paper #2026 #papercraft #wrapped #design

Looking for something to do during Twixmas and New Year? Check out Cecil Beaton’s Fashionable World at @nationalportraitgallery ! ✨ I was honoured alongside @hattienewman to create the paper installation for the National Portrait Gallery’s exhibition curated by @rkm_muir . Together with @hattienewman , we crafted delicate paper roses and trailing ivy that embellish the gallery walls around Beaton’s stunning portraits. Beaton, a pioneering photographer, often used paper in his sets and artwork, making it especially meaningful for us to pay tribute to his inventive paper use! The exhibition ‘Cecil Beaton’s Fashionable World!’ is open until January 11, 2026. Don't miss your last chance to visit! A huge thanks to the exhibition design team at @nationalportraitgallery and @rkm_muir for inviting us to be part of this special project. Special thanks to our assistant @jeru.nomi for helping with the installation ✨. We used @gfsmithpapers @colorplan_papers Bright White 135gsm ✂️ #paper #paperart #design #maker #cecilbeaton @strictlypaperart @allthingspaper

Merry Christmas to everyone! ✨ I'm so grateful for all your incredible support. It truly means the world to me and keeps me creating and doing what I love! I'm often asked which project is my favourite, and it's hard to pick one, but up there has to be creating this life-sized paper nativity scene for @petworthnt chapel last Christmas. Seeing my work displayed in such a beautiful and inspiring setting was amazing! I understand many people found the installation powerful and moving ☺️ The installation was crafted in my studio from 270gsm Colorplan Bright White @gfsmithpapers @colorplan_papers 🤍 #paper #create #nativity #christmas #design @_debutart

Cheerful, festive Robins! 🌟 I’m excited to have crafted these red-breasted robins for @zsllondonzoo earlier this year, as part of a new interactive kids’ zone at London Zoo! ✂️ Huge thanks to @fedrigoni.paper and @fedrigoni_uk for supplying the Sirio Colour paper used in these sculptures! I've made robins before and enjoy experimenting with different methods. Here, I changed the poses to make them appear more lively and natural! These robins will be on display with my other paper animals for London Zoo for the foreseeable future! #papercraft #paper #maker #robin strictlypaperart @allthingspaper @staycreativeaf @_debutart

Watch as I craft five paper Christmas trees for ‘A Grand Festive Tour’ presented by @waddesdonmanor_nt this year. Thanks to @janelebon for the commission and creative direction. The Christmas theme was inspired by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild’s travels, who built Waddesdon Manor! ✨ I used Coloursource Ice White 270gsm paper from @jamescropperpaper to make the trees. This paper beautifully holds light, creating lovely shadows that enhance the magical feel ☺️🤍✨ Huge thanks to my amazing assistants @lulusenft and @jeru.nomi for their help with this project 🙌 Waddesdon’s house and gardens are open for Christmas visits until January 4, 2026. Be sure to check Waddesdon’s website for details! . . . . . #paper #paperart #design #maker #create @strictlypaperart @allthingspaper