Huong Incense Dearbh-aithne Branda, Dealbhadh Pacaidh by Huy Nguyen Tran

Huong Incense Dearbh-aithne Branda, Dealbhadh Pacaidh by Huy Nguyen Tran is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Duais Umha A' Design Award in Dealbhadh Sanasachd, Margaidheachd agus Conaltraidh Competition Category.

UmhaSanasachd· 2026

Huong Incense Dearbh-aithne Branda, Dealbhadh Pacaidh

by Huy Nguyen Tran

Client: Huong

Duais Umha A' Design Award Winner in Sanasachd Category

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Huong Incense Dearbh-aithne Branda, Dealbhadh Pacaidh

'S e pròiseact brandaidh agus pacaidh a th' ann an Huong airson branda tùise Bhietnamach co-aimsireil. Tha an dealbhadh ag ath-mhìneachadh adhradh nan sinnsearan mar dheas-ghnàth mothachaidh ciùin airson ginealaichean nas òige. Tha na dathan a' leantainn nan Còig Eileamaidean, agus tha structar a' phacaidh air a tharraing bho na Sia Co-sheirmean agus an taigh traidiseanta le trì seòmraichean. Anns an t-seata tha prìomh bhogsa sia-cheàrnach, sia bogsaichean tùise a-staigh, dà inneal-cumail tùise agus stuthan clò-bhuailte. Tha làrach-lìn co-cheangailte air a bheil Gap a' leudachadh an aon shiostam lèirsinneach, a' leigeil le luchd-tadhail eadar-obrachadh le cruthan-dubha sinnsireil a chaidh a chruthachadh bhon fhaileas aca fhèin.

The Recognition

About the Duais Umha A' Design Award

Tha Huong Incense Dearbh-aithne Branda, Dealbhadh Pacaidh air Duais Umha A' Design Award a bhuannachadh, aithneachadh gu math urramach a bheirear do dhealbhaidhean sònraichte a tha air an comharrachadh le cruthachalachd, innleachd agus geurchuis. Tha buannaichean Umha nan obraichean gu math sgileil agus gu sònraichte cruthachail a dhearbhas eòlas farsaing, mac-meanmna agus tapachd an luchd-dealbhaidh. Thathar an dùil gum bi Huong Incense Dearbh-aithne Branda, Dealbhadh Pacaidh na nì air a bheil mòran meas, ion-mholta agus gràdhach, a tha gu sònraichte proifeiseanta agus ùr-ghnàthach. Tha an dealbhadh seo a bhuannaich Duais Umha A' Design Award a' cur nan cleachdaidhean as fheàrr ann an ealain, saidheans, dealbhadh agus teicneolas an gnìomh, agus tha e sàr-mhath airson an aire do mhion-fhiosrachadh. Bidh Huong Incense Dearbh-aithne Branda, Dealbhadh Pacaidh a' sàsachadh fheumalachdan gu h-iongantach, a' suathadh ri miannan, a' tàladh faireachdainnean agus a' togail fiosrachd.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Huong (Scent) is a contemporary incense brand that reinterprets Vietnamese ancestor worship for younger generations through a refined sensory-wellness ritual. Distinctive strengths include a heritage-led identity system, Five Elements color logic, and packaging architecture derived from Six Harmonies and traditional three-compartment house typology. The project is extended by Gap (Meet), an interactive platform where users’ shadow-based ancestral silhouettes connect personal memory with collective lineage.
Dimensions & Packaging: The set includes 1 hexagonal master box, 6 inner incense boxes, 2 incense holders, and supporting printed materials (brochure, leaflet, instruction card). The structure is based on Six Harmonies and a three-panel opening inspired by traditional Vietnamese altar-house layouts. The package combines symbolic storytelling and practical usability, while the Gap (Meet) website extends the same visual system into an interactive digital ritual journey.
Tags: Renovative, Original, Respect, Nostalgic, Mythical
Production Technology: We developed Huong through a research-led creative process that blends cultural storytelling with contemporary brand execution. The system includes identity design, pattern development, structural packaging prototyping, 3D visualization, and interactive web design. From logo to layout, each element was refined through iterative testing to keep the experience meaningful, clear, and emotionally engaging across print, object, and digital touchpoints.
Design Challenge: The hardest part was modernizing a sacred tradition without reducing it to decoration. We needed to balance spiritual authenticity with contemporary aesthetics across language, form, and interaction. Another challenge was building one coherent narrative across packaging and digital media. Through repeated cultural review and design iteration, we achieved a system that feels both respectful and relevant to younger audiences.
Research: This project uses qualitative cultural and design research. Our objective was to renew Vietnamese ancestor worship for younger generations. We combined desk research, visual analysis, and iterative prototyping, using historical references, folklore symbols, packaging mockups, and interaction wireframes. Team critiques and user readability checks guided refinement. The result is a clear, heritage-led brand experience that strengthens cultural continuity and makes ritual practice more approachable in modern life.
Inspiration: Huong was inspired by Vietnam’s fading tradition of ancestor worship and the profound symbolism of incense as a bridge between worlds. Through cultural research on Vietnamese rituals, Vietnamese Gods, Spiritual Deities, Five Elements Theory, and the Yin–Yang philosophy, the project reinterprets these heritage elements into modern packaging and digital experiences—reviving spiritual values and reconnecting younger generations with their ancestral roots.
Project Duration: The project started in April 2025 and finished in November 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Operation Flow: The experience begins as users open the hexagonal master box, revealing six incense sets arranged like chapters of a story. Each box unfolds smoothly, guiding the user through layers of discovery—from lighting incense, uncovering its meaning, knowing more about Ancestral Worshipping and Vietnamese Incense Village.

The Gap (Meet) website extends this ritual digitally, letting users interact with ancestral silhouettes inspired by their own shadow—turning a simple act into a personal, spiritual reunion.
Team Members: Director: Huy Nguyen
Designer: Linh Bui
Designer: Thanh Nguyen
Motion Designer: An Do
Copywriter: Mai Phuong Le
Copywriter: Thien My Bui
Motion Designer: Thanh Dang
3D Supervisor: Thu Pham
3D Designer: Khanh Nguyen
Instructor: Ha Van Minh