Matthew Reinhart: Pop-up Art and Paper Engineering

This article spotlights acclaimed American author, illustrator and paper engineer and artist Matthew Reinhart, whose extensive body of pop-up book work bridges storytelling, design and scientific imagination. Reinhart has crafted dozens of unique, immersive, three-dimensional reading experiences that range from pop culture icons to science-rich explorations of the natural world. In this article, Reinhart discusses how his tactile and dynamic books ignite curiosity, invite questions and transport readers – both young and old – into captivating science realms. The conversation delves into the encyclopaedic pop-up format, exploring its potential as a compelling tool for science communication and creative exploration. It elucidates Reinhart’s artistic concept but also how Reinhart pop-up books merge meticulous craftsmanship with immersive storytelling to make science accessible and, ultimately, exciting.