Why can complex origami designs take several hours to complete?

Complex origami designs can take several hours to complete because they often strive for highly accurate, realistic representations of their subjects, which necessitates the use of advanced folding techniques.1

While simple models may require only a few minutes to execute, realistic creations often involve intricate folding sequences with a large number of steps. Furthermore, some complex styles, such as those involving multiple sheets of paper, require the folder to carefully manage and assemble numerous components to realize the final structure. The pursuit of such high levels of creativity and detail distinguishes these complex works from simpler, more minimalist designs.1