Cat In The Box Ûntwerp fan Edukatyf Materiaal by Liu Yu Nien

Cat In The Box Ûntwerp fan Edukatyf Materiaal by Liu Yu Nien is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award yn Izer in Ûnderwiis, Learmiddelen en Trainingsynhâld Ûntwerp Competition Category.

IzerÛnderwiis· 2026

Cat In The Box Ûntwerp fan Edukatyf Materiaal

by Liu Yu Nien

Client: Cat in the box

A' Design Award yn Izer Winner in Ûnderwiis Category

5,019

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #182861

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Cat In The Box Ûntwerp fan Edukatyf Materiaal

Cat In The Box is in set learmiddels dy't makke is om basisskoallelearlingen te helpen mear te learen oer de lokale kultuer fan Maokong yn Taiwan. De set befettet in les- en resultateboek, taakbasearre learboekjes en in houten printkiste. De boekomslaggen binne makke fan natuerlik hout, foarme troch lasergravearjen en -snijden, en de binnenste siden brûke Japansk boekpapier. Fjouwer tema's liede de lessen: ferfier, ekology, lokale yndustry en religieus libben. Learlingen observearje, meitsje, kreëarje en diskusjearje, wêrtroch't se in nauwer begryp fan har wenplak opbouwe.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award yn Izer

Cat In The Box Ûntwerp fan Edukatyf Materiaal 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 Cat In The Box Ûntwerp fan Edukatyf Materiaal 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. Cat In The Box Ûntwerp fan Edukatyf Materiaal 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: Every town in Taiwan has its own story. This project invites children in Maokong to uncover the hidden stories of their hometown. In collaboration with Wanxing Elementary School, the project combines the depth of educational planning with the warmth of design practice. Focusing on landscape, ecology, local industry, and religious life, we developed courses and interactive learning materials that encourage students to explore their surroundings in daily life. Through observation, creation, and discussion, students gradually rediscover their hometown and experience the unique charm of Maokong.
Dimensions & Packaging: Maokong Teaching and Outcome Book : 17.6 x 25 cm
Maokong Wooden Box : 12.5 x 12.5 × 5 cm
Maokong Learning Book : 17.6 x 25 cm
Tags: Cultural Education, Local Exploration, Creative Co creation, Interactive Materials, Curriculum Guidance, Local Learning
Production Technology: Our books are made with composite materials, featuring covers crafted from natural wood using laser engraving and cutting techniques. The inner pages use high quality Japanese book paper, with interactive spreads designed to make the teaching and outcome books more engaging and interesting. The Maokong printing boxes used in the curriculum are made from pine wood, paired with laser-cut basswood objects; the sturdy outer boxes are suitable for display and storage, allowing children’s creativity to be preserved. The classroom activity books are designed as small task oriented booklets, using ivory paper to make doodle colors stand out while maintaining the paper’s natural texture. All of these materials are highly suitable for mass production, and we plan to provide them to elementary schools to promote Maokong’s local characteristics.
Design Challenge: The main challenge of this project was transforming Maokong’s rich local culture into materials suitable for elementary students. Internal challenges included presenting history, tea culture, religious practices, and daily life in ways that students could understand and engage with. External challenges involved limited field data due to weather, insufficient real life images, difficulties in mass producing laser engraved and wooden components, and ensuring the curriculum met educational standards.Through field visits, expert interviews, digital map tools, and modular design, the team overcame information and technical constraints, creating interactive, easy to use teaching materials with cultural depth.
Research: This is a design practice study aimed at helping elementary students understand and express Maokong’s local culture. Using teaching books, learning booklets, and wooden boxes, combined with digital guidance and hands-on activities, students observe, interact, create, and discuss local culture. Data were collected through literature, field visits, interviews, and map exploration, with participants being mid grade students at Wanxing Elementary School. Results show that interactive materials improve cultural awareness, creative thinking, and emotional expression. The study demonstrates a practical teaching model and provides a reference for local cultural education and cross disciplinary curriculum development, promoting cultural heritage and community engagement.
Inspiration: The project is set against the backdrop of local cultural heritage in the Maokong area. While current marketing and promotional efforts are abundant, they lack engagement and participation from the next generation. The core challenge lies in effectively building a bridge between the land and residents and the younger generation, in order to ignite student enthusiasm for exploring their hometown and foster civic literacy for sustainable cultural preservation.
Project Duration: The project began in July 2025 at the 2026 National Student Practical Project Competition. In March 2026, it was completed with the Muzha Farmers’ Association and Wanxing Elementary School, and was showcased at the 2026 Next Gen Design Exhibition in May.
Operation Flow: This project presents the Maokong cultural teaching books and interactive tools, designed for students to explore their hometown through observation, creation, and discussion. Students interact by flipping pages, using wooden boxes, and completing task-based learning booklets. The materials follow four themes transportation, ecology, local industry, and religious life guiding students step by step through observing, operating, creating, and sharing. This clear and engaging process enhances learning outcomes, strengthens cultural understanding, and fosters a sense of local identity.
Team Members: Designer: Chen,Ya-Chieh
Designer: Liu,Yu-Nien
Designer: Lin,Yi-Jyun
Designer: Yan,Jhen-Yi
Designer: Lin,Min-Hsuan
Instructor: Yang, Chao-Ming