Junk Paradise Sammelfiguerkes by Yawen Qiang

Junk Paradise Sammelfiguerkes by Yawen Qiang is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award yn Brûns in Boartersguod, Spultsjes en Hobbyprodukten Ûntwerp Competition Category.

BrûnsBoartersguod· 2026

Junk Paradise Sammelfiguerkes

by Yawen Qiang

Client: Yawen Qiang

A' Design Award yn Brûns Winner in Boartersguod Category

11,152
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #183308

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Junk Paradise Sammelfiguerkes

Junk Paradise is in searje sammelfiguerkes basearre op bistekarakters en koarte ferhalen. Elk figuerke lit in karakter sjen mei in lytse ûnfolsleinens dy't omset wurdt yn in boartlike krêft. Popo it stikelbaarch makket popcorn om syn stikels te bedekken, sadat er syn freonen omearmje kin. Sushi de pelikaan hat in walfiskspottersboattocht foar rivierfisken dy't bang binne foar de see. De karakters waarden modellearre as digitale skulptueren, as prototype makke mei resinprinten en dêrnei getten yn resin. Laachfoarme spuitwurk en mei de hân skildere details meitsje elk stik ôf.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award yn Brûns

Junk Paradise Sammelfiguerkes is in winner fan de A' Design Award yn Brûns, in heech prestisjeuze erkenning foar treflike ûntwerpen dy't har ûnderskiede troch kreativiteit, fernuft en tûkens. Brûnswinners binne tige feardige en opfallend kreative artefakten dy't de grutte ûnderfining, ferbylding en betochtsumens fan har ûntwerpers befêstigje. Fan Junk Paradise Sammelfiguerkes wurdt ferwachte dat it in tige heech achte, bewûndere en dierber objekt is dat opmerklik profesjoneel en ynnovatyf is. Dit winnende ûntwerp fan de A' Design Award yn Brûns yntegrearret de bêste praktiken yn keunst, wittenskip, ûntwerp en technology en is treflik om syn omtinken foar detail. Junk Paradise Sammelfiguerkes foldocht behoeften prachtich, reitsjet winsken, betsjoeveret gefoelens en sprekt nijsgjirrigens oan.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Junk Paradise is a narrative-driven collectible toy series exploring character design and storytelling. Everyone in the story has little imperfection, but they have fun in unique ways to overcome it.Popo the porcupine makes popcorn to cover his prickles so he can hug his friends while Sushi the pelican runs a whale-watching cruise for river fish afraid of the sea. Through playful characters and small stories, the collection celebrates imperfection and encourages everyone to be themselves, reminding people that everyone shines in their own unique way.
Dimensions & Packaging: Ducky, Duck, 20cm x 12cm x 11cm
Popo, Porcupine, 15cm x 8cm x 18cm
Sushi, Pelican, 16cm x 8cm x 16cm
Snowball, Horse, 18cm x 22cm x 12cm
Mr.All-Nighter, Raccoon, 13cm x 10cm x 16cm
Nani ,Crocodile, 9cm x 15cm x 7cm
Tags: Character Design, Story Telling, Art Toy, 3D sculpt, Whimsical, Narrative object, Junk Paradise, Designer Toy, Character Collection, Celebrate Imperfection
Production Technology: The project began with narrative development and character design, where stories and characters were explored through sketches and storyboards. The characters were then translated into digital 3D sculptures using ZBrush. Prototypes were realized through resin 3D printing, followed by curing, hand sanding, and surface refinement. Then the pieces are casted with resin. Final pieces were completed through layered spray painting to create depth and gradients, complemented by hand-painted details.
Design Challenge: The main challenge was translating the concept of imperfection into forms that remain visually appealing and emotionally engaging. By exploring subtle asymmetry, irregular details, diverse poses, and nuanced facial expressions, the project seeks to express character and narrative while maintaining aesthetic harmony, allowing users to intuitively connect with the pieces.
Research: This project is grounded in a reflection on the societal pursuit of perfection and explores how design can celebrate individuality through imperfection. By translating this concept into character driven forms, the research investigates how subtle variations, emotional cues, and story telling can foster empathy and self acceptance. The work aims to create a space where users can recognize value in difference and connect with these characters that reflect diverse ways of shining.
Inspiration: My inspiration comes from my daily observation of friends and wild animals. I like noticing the small imperfections in people and how they deal with them in their own ways. By using animals and their natural traits, I turn these observations into characters and stories about friendship, imperfection and being comfortable with who you are.
Project Duration: The project started in April.2019 in Los Angeles and was completed in Aug 2019 in Los Angeles. Later the project was exhibited at Lightbox Expo in Los Angeles, Designer Con in Vegas and CTN in Burbank.
Operation Flow: Junk Paradise creates a story-driven interaction that invites users to step into its world through observation, touch, and imagination. Defined by bold forms, expressive character design, and refined hand-crafted execution, each piece invites users to engage through subtle details and visual cues that suggest personality and narrative. The experience remains open-ended, allowing users to interpret, collect, and build personal connections, gradually revealing a quiet celebration of imperfection.
Team Members: Yawen Qiang