Suwen Guqin by Shanghai Yitong Cultural Communication Co.,Ltd.

Suwen Guqin by Shanghai Yitong Cultural Communication Co.,Ltd. is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award nga Bronse in Disenyo sa Instrumentong Musikal Competition Category.

BronseInstrumentong Musikal· 2026

Suwen Guqin

by Shanghai Yitong Cultural Communication Co.,Ltd.

Client: Shanghai Yitong Cultural Communucation Co.,Ltd.

A' Design Award nga Bronse Winner in Instrumentong Musikal Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #180049

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Suwen Guqin

Ang Suwen usa ka guqin, usa ka tradisyonal nga Intsik nga instrumento nga may mga kuwerdas, nga gihubad pag-usab alang sa modernong pagtugtog. Ang porma nagsunod sa qin sa dinastiya sa Tang nga gitipigan sa Templo sa Horyuji. Ang soundboard hinimo gikan sa daan nga cedar o paulownia, ug ang likod hinimo gikan sa catalpa. Ang pundasyon nga layer nagsagol sa abo sa sungay sa usa ug hilaw nga lacquer. Ang interior cavity nga gidisenyo alang sa acoustics naghatag sa gamay nga lawas sa tono ug kakusog sa usa ka full size nga instrumento. Ang matte grain nga lacquer finish nagmugna og uga ug dili madanglog nga ibabaw. Ang gipalapdan nga string anchor sa ikog nagpasayon sa paglihok sa mga tudlo alang sa mga nagsugod pa lang ug alang sa mga magtutugtog nga adunay gagmay nga mga kamot.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award nga Bronse

Suwen Guqin usa ka mananaog sa A' Design Award nga Bronse, usa ka labihan ka prestihiyoso nga pag-ila nga gihatag sa talagsaon nga mga disenyo nga gipaila sa pagkamamugnaon, kaabtik, ug kamatngon. Ang mga mananaog sa Bronse mga hanas kaayo ug makapahibulong nga mamugnaon nga mga artipakto nga nagpamatuod sa dakong kasinatian, imahinasyon, ug kaabtik sa ilang mga tigdesinyo. Gilauman nga ang Suwen Guqin mahimong gipabilhan, gihangaan, ug gihigugma nga butang nga talagsaon ang pagkapropesyonal ug bag-o. Kini nga disenyo nga nakadaog og A' Design Award nga Bronse naglakip sa labing maayong mga praktis sa arte, siyensya, disenyo, ug teknolohiya ug maayo kaayo tungod sa pagtagad niini sa mga detalye. Suwen Guqin nagtagbaw sa mga panginahanglan sa matahom nga paagi, nag-igo sa mga tinguha, nagbihag sa mga pagbati, ug nagdani sa pagkamausisaon.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: This product echoes the classical elegance of the Tang dynasty qin at Horyuji Temple and is reimagined for modern playing. Innovatively, its compact body produces rich, expressive sound that meets professional standards, without sacrificing portability. Its matte grain lacquer finish remains dry and non slip. Details like the widened string anchor at the tail and the tuning pegs honor classical aesthetics yet serve modern practicality. Altogether, this instrument is timeless yet made for today.
Dimensions & Packaging: 1100mm*150mm*45mm
Tags: based on the Tang dynasty qin at Horyuji Temple, matte grain lacquer finish, portable, acoustically optimized, performance grade sound quality, full sound presence in a compact body, widened string anchor at the tail, contemporary reinterpretation of traditional instruments
Production Technology: The soundboard is crafted from aged cedar or paulownia over one hundred years old, with catalpa for the back. The base layer blends deer antler ash and raw lacquer using ancient methods, contributing to a resonant, open tone with rich harmonics ideal for performance. Furthermore, a proprietary matte grain lacquer finish creates a dry, non slip surface that enhances finger glide across the strings. The lacquer is also environmentally friendly and excels in water resistance and enduring beauty.
Design Challenge: The challenge is balancing how professionals and the public see the guqin. Experts value strict adherence to the historical form, while most users favor practical improvements. To bridge this gap, every modern refinement, such as the size and lacquer finish, stays within Tang dynasty aesthetics. The look remains true to tradition, and with use, the instrument delivers the rich tone and volume rivaling a performance grade full size qin, fulfilling both cultural respect and functional progress.
Research: The design solves key problems in traditional guqin use. Full size models are hard to carry and difficult for beginners, while smaller qins lack volume and tonal depth. Glossy lacquer finishes are often slippery, and standard shapes suit smaller hands poorly. The design echoes classical charm of the Tang dynasty qin at Horyuji Temple, while using acoustical engineering to achieve the volume, sound projection, and nuanced tone of a performance grade qin, enhancing both practicality and comfort.
Inspiration: This instrument draws on three key inspirations. The name Suwen evokes the exchange between the player and the qin in the stillness of night, embodying inward reflection central to Eastern thought and forming the spiritual core of this instrument. Its shape follows the Tang dynasty qin at Horyuji Temple, preserving its serene dignity. Based on the insight that greater smoothness does not mean smoother play, the matte grain lacquer finish prevents slipping or sticking from hand perspiration.
Project Duration: The design and development of this qin lasted from September 2022 to August 2024 in Shanghai. It debuted in May 2025 at the Contemporary Masters Qin Making Exhibition of the 2025 Yueyang Guqin Art Festival.
Operation Flow: Thoughtful refinements fully enhance the playing experience. An acoustically engineered interior cavity delivers the tonal volume and richness of a performance grade full size qin within a compact body, not merely increased volume. A widened string anchor at the tail and optimized proportions make finger movement across the strings easier, especially for beginners and players with smaller hands. The matte grain lacquer finish provides a non slip surface, improving control during performance.
Team Members: Ding Liang