London studios Anomaly and Unit9 are collating patterns donated by artists, which users can print out with instructions to make origami cranes in exchange for a donation to disaster relief in Japan.

Top: Zeitguised
Above: Matt Lyon

Called One Thousand Cranes for Japan, the project draws on Japanese legend that a person who folds 1000 origami cranes will be granted a wish.

Above: Laura Quick

Artists involved so far include Zeitguised, Tokyo Plastic and Matt Lyon, with new artists added each day.

Above: Hennie Haworth

Join in here:

www.onethousandcranesforjapan.com
www.facebook.com/onethousandcranesforjapan

Above: Actop

More about Japan »

Above: Todd Selby

The information that follows is from the designers:

As the aftermath of the tsunami continues to cause serious disruption throughout northern Japan, we need to bring aid and support to the area as quickly as possible. Although financial donations will be greatly appreciated, it is also important that the people of Japan to know that we are contributing in a way that transcends monetary worth.

Above: Tokyo Plastic

An ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish. Today, the Japanese still respect this custom and use it to help loved ones recover from illness or injury.

Above: Tom Uglow

One Thousand Cranes for Japan takes this tradition and expands it across the globe in a unified display of goodwill. Anomaly London has together with Unit9 created a project where in exchange for a donation you can print a specially designed pattern to fold into an origami crane in support of Japan.

Many famous artists have donated patterns for the initiative. We launch with designs from animators Zeitguised, photographer Todd Selby, artist Paul Slater, creative collective Actop, illustrators Brian Grimwood, Hennie Haworth, Laura Quick, Matt Lyon and directors Tokyo Plastic.

We will add designs as they come in day by day: we are expecting submissions from Diane von Furstenberg, Brian Grimwood, Andy Gilmore, James Joyce, Mr Bingo and Jody Barton.

A donation to the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund allows you to download and print off one of these illustrations, complete with instructions on how to make your own origami crane.

We are hoping many thousands of people will make a crane and in doing so focus their wishes of hope and recovery for those in the grip of this tragedy.

See also:

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Help Japan Poster by Wieden + Kennedy	“Please help Japan” – Tokujin Yoshioka	Heart for Japan by Delphine Perrot