PatchU Merkidentiteit, Karakterûntwerp by Chungsheng Chen, Enyang Chen and Wanyun Lo

PatchU Merkidentiteit, Karakterûntwerp by Chungsheng Chen, Enyang Chen and Wanyun Lo is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award yn Izer in Grafyk, Yllustraasje en Fisuele Kommunikaasje Ûntwerp Competition Category.

IzerGrafysk· 2026

PatchU Merkidentiteit, Karakterûntwerp

by Chungsheng Chen, Enyang Chen and Wanyun Lo

Client: Tainan University of Technology/Product Design Department

A' Design Award yn Izer Winner in Grafysk Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #180916

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About PatchU Merkidentiteit, Karakterûntwerp

PatchU is in branding- en karakterûntwerpprojekt dat oerbleaune beddegoedstoffen omset yn plusjebisten en lifestyle-aksessoires. De stoffen wurde sortearre op grutte, tekstuer en toan, en dêrnei mei fleksibele patroanen ta ienfâldige selskipsfiguerkes naaid. Sichtber stikwurk en patchwork bliuwe behâlden as ûnderdiel fan de merkidentiteit, sadat elk stik krekt wat oars is as it oare. Ferpakking en yllustraasje lizze de komôf fan de materialen út. It doel is om oerskotstekstyl nije wearde en in waarm plak yn it deistich libben te jaan.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award yn Izer

PatchU Merkidentiteit, Karakterûntwerp is in winner fan de A' Design Award yn Izer, in prestisjeuze erkenning foar goede ûntwerpen dy't foldogge oan de profesjonele en yndustriële easken dy't ferwachte wurde fan goed ûntwurpen skeppings. Izerwinners litte grutte feardigens, hege spesjalisaasje, deskundich begryp en kreatyf fermogen fan har makkers sjen. Fan PatchU Merkidentiteit, Karakterûntwerp wurdt ferwachte dat it in tige heech achte, bewûndere en dierbere skepping is dy't praktysk en ynnovatyf is. Dit winnende ûntwerp fan de A' Design Award yn Izer yntegrearret de bêste praktiken fan de sektor en hat feardige technyske skaaimerken ferbûn mei kennis en talint. PatchU Merkidentiteit, Karakterûntwerp wurdt respektearre foar syn yngeandens en is ûntwurpen om ferbetteringen fan de kwaliteit fan it libben te leverjen dy't helpe de wrâld ta in bettere plak te meitsjen.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: A circular design brand that transforms leftover bedding fabrics into character IP series based plush toys and lifestyle accessories, establishing a new business model for company by converting surplus materials into value added products. Rather than focusing solely on material reuse, it highlights healing, companionship, and emotional value. Sewing traces and patchwork logic, and imperfect connections shape the visual identity, making each piece unique and sustainability part of everyday life.
Tags: Branding, Circular Design, Upcycled Leftover, Plush Toy, Character IP Economy.
Production Technology: PatchU is realized through existing bedding manufacturing capabilities, reintroducing leftover fabrics that cannot return to mass production as the brand’s core material. Fabrics are sorted by size, texture, and tone, then transformed into plush companion products using flexible patterns. Visible stitching and patchwork are intentionally preserved as brand features. Through small-batch making and manual adjustment, each piece retains natural variation, allowing production to reflect PatchU’s values of warmth, imperfection, and individuality while ensuring a consistent and authentic brand experience.
Design Challenge: The main challenge for PatchU was avoiding being perceived as merely an eco or recycled-material brand. Leftover fabrics are often associated with low value, making it difficult to build emotional connection and trust. In addition, variations in fabric size, color, and texture challenged product consistency. Rather than hiding these imperfections, PatchU embraced them as brand characteristics. Through patching, stitching, and a gentle visual language, the brand reframed difference as individuality, shifting attention from material origin to emotional companionship and redefining how circular brands are perceived.
Research: PatchU approaches brand and product design by rethinking how leftover fabrics from the bedding manufacturing process can be transformed into everyday objects that people feel comfortable using, connecting with, and keeping as long-term companions. The brand treats these leftover materials as unfinished elements, giving them new roles and emotional meaning through patching, stitching, and reassembly. As the brand evolves, PatchU reflects on people’s expectations of healing, companionship, and everyday objects, translating these feelings into gentle forms, a recognizable visual system, and an approachable brand tone. Feedback shows that compared to direct environmental messaging, people are more likely to understand and accept circular values through feelings of being cared for and accompanied. With emotion at its core, PatchU creates a brand experience where sustainability naturally becomes part of everyday life and is felt rather than explained.
Inspiration: The name is derived from patch, meaning repair and reconnection, reflecting the reuse of leftover bedding fabrics. The letter U represents you, linking the act of repair with the person being cared for. Beyond material regeneration, the name expresses emotional connection and companionship. It embodies sustainability, healing, and vitality, transforming repair into a gentle, human centered experience rooted in everyday life.
Project Duration: The PatchU brand was conceived and planned in November 2025, with the development of the overall brand direction and product concepts initiated at the same time. In January 2026, the design of the IP characters began, gradually completing character definition and visual expression. In February 2026, the PatchU trademark and related intellectual property were formally filed, establishing a foundation for brand identity and future applications.
Operation Flow: PatchU collects leftover fabrics from bedding production and reorganizes them by texture and tone before redesigning them into simplified plush and companion products. Through patching and stitching, fabrics are transformed into warm, character-driven objects, with visible seams becoming part of the story. Interaction goes beyond use, as products are meant to be hugged, carried, and lived with. Through packaging and visual storytelling, PatchU helps users understand the meaning behind each piece, turning leftover materials into emotional connections and more meaningful everyday experiences.
Patents: Copyright belongs to acdesign associates International Co.,Ltd.
Trademark (2026) Trademark Holder: Caliphil Enterprise Co., Ltd.
Team Members: ChungSheng Chen
EnYang Chen
WanYun Lo
TingYuan Lin
Tainan University of Technology/ Product Design Department
acdesign associates International Co.,Ltd
Caliphil Enterprise Co., Ltd.
Image Credits: Image#1~#5: acdesign associates International Co., Ltd.