Skip to content
Smiley Spiked Npab Qhwv Hloov Tau by Maria Kotsoni

Smiley Spiked Npab Qhwv Hloov Tau by Maria Kotsoni is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award Nyiaj in Tsim Khoom Dai Tes Competition Category.


NyiajKhoom Dai Tes· 2025

Smiley Spiked Npab Qhwv Hloov Tau

by Maria Kotsoni

Client: Maria Kotsoni

A' Design Award Nyiaj Winner in Khoom Dai Tes Category

69,032

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #172085

Colors

The Design

About Smiley Spiked Npab Qhwv Hloov Tau

Lub Smiley Spiked npab qhwv hloov tau yog ib yam khoom dai rau txiv neej thiab poj niam hnav niaj hnub. Sib txuas cov qauv nrog kev yoog raws, nws tus qauv tsim tau txais kev tshoov siab los ntawm cov pos - yam khoom tiv thaiv thaum ub ntawm tej tsiaj uas rhiab heev - thaum sib haum nrog tib neeg lub cev tej duab ntuj tsim. Cov pos txuas tau ua duab U zoo nkauj nyob saum taw tes sab nraub qaum, pom tau hauv qab lub tsho thaum so; thaum lub raj hloov tau ua duab oval nyob sab nraub qaum muab cov qauv, xyuas kom yooj yim hnav, thiab txhim kho kev xis nyob nrog kev haum ruaj khov. Cov khoom no tuaj yeem hnav ib leeg, sib tw los yog hnav nrog lub moos.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Nyiaj

Smiley Spiked Npab Qhwv Hloov Tau yog tus yeej ntawm A' Design Award Nyiaj, ib qho kev lees paub muaj meej mom heev tshaj li qub uas muab rau cov qauv tsim qib siab, zoo nkauj thiab ua rau neeg xav tsis thoob. Cov neeg yeej Nyiaj yog cov haujlwm ci ntsa iab heev thiab tsim tshiab heev uas qhia txog kev paub, kev txawj ntse thiab kev ntse ntawm cov kws tsim qauv. Smiley Spiked Npab Qhwv Hloov Tau xav tias yuav yog ib qho haujlwm zoo kawg nkaus uas tsim rau qhia, tshaj lij heev thiab tsim tshiab tob. Cov qauv tsim yeej A' Design Award Nyiaj no yog ib qho khoom tsim uas pom tseeb heev thiab neeg qhuas uas pab tau thiab nthuav dav ciam teb ntawm kev kos duab, kev tshawb fawb, kev tsim qauv thiab thev naus laus zis. Smiley Spiked Npab Qhwv Hloov Tau yog ib qho khoom tsim uas neeg coob xav tau, uas ua rau xav, coj kev xav zoo thiab ua rau xav tsis thoob thiab xav paub.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties
The Smiley Spiked Flexible Cuff Bracelet is a casual, everyday statement piece for men and women. Blending structure with fluidity, the design draws from architectural lines and organic spikes, ancestral elements of protection. The articulated, U shaped spike formation adorns the back of the wrist usually exposed under a sleeve even in a relaxed position while the oval-shaped, flexible double tube back ensures easy wearing, comfort, and a secure fit. It can be worn alone, stacked or paired with a watch.
Dimensions & Packaging
The bracelet is made in 18K gold, hallmarked by the Cyprus assay office, a member of the international assay offices association. It weights 16.5 grams and measures 62 mm x 50 mm x 22 mm.
Tags
Smiley, bracelet , flexible cuff, flexible bangle, articulated bracelet, gold bracelet, spiked, unisex, statement, Maria Kotsoni
Production Technology
The bracelet is hand crafted in 18K gold and assembled using a combination of traditional techniques like tube forming, casting, soldering and 3D digital design and printing. The articulated U shaped spiked part with box and tongue closure was digitally designed using Rino then 3D printed and cast. After being assembled, it was soldered to the flexible tube made with traditional equipment, then hand formed and adjusted to an oval shape.The last spike, box, was soldered on one end of the tube while the rest, articulated part with tongue, on the other.
Design Challenge
The hardest part in the realisation of this project was like I mentioned above the coordination of the articulated U shaped spiked part with closure in the front and the flexible, depth wise, yet rigid, width wise, tube at the back. I also had to make a few adjustments to the joining of the spiked part to optimize movement so that it’s U shaped formation would be maintained even in an inverted positioning of the arm.
Research
The design theme and point of reference is the Spike, an ancestral element on sensitive life forms: plant, marine, insect or animal that I explored through research by putting on paper and developed by sketching and hand-sculpting wax model prototypes. Careful attention was given to soften the spike to a degree where it is visually recognized as such yet being muted as per its aggressive nature. A series of test models had to be made in order to coordinate the articulation of the spiked part with the flexible rigidity of the tube.
Inspiration
The idea about this design was to create a versatile, bold yet easy to wear bracelet for everyday use. I drew inspiration from organic shapes; spikes in particular, which I perceive as ancestral elements in nature, serving as guardians and preserving the delicate essence of life. Sensitive life forms manage to survive because of the spike’s protecting properties.
The structure is a combination of articulated movement in the front U shaped spike formation and the memory in resuming position property of the flexible double tube at the back which easily bends to allow the arm through yet maintains and supports its original oval shape.
Project Duration
The project started in September 2024 in Cyprus and finished in November 2024 in Nicosia. It is part of my Spiked collection which I have been developing since 2017.
Operation Flow
The bracelet is oval shaped to better maintain its position around the wrist and consists of two parts each of which has different properties: The articulated U shaped spike formation in the front with a secure box and tongue closure and the flexible double tube back which easily bends to allow the arm through and automatically springs back in place. It is designed to adorn the back of the wrist, worn lower than any other wrist bracelet and interacts nicely with a large watch or other bracelets. It is visible below the sleeve in a relaxed position.
Image Credits
Image # 1: Photographer Nicos Louca, Smiley Spiked bracelet
Image # 2: Photographer Harris Kyprianou, Model: Kateryna Kremer, Smiley Spiked bracelet worn with assorted pieces from Spiked collection
Image # 3: Photographer Harris Kyprianou, Smiley Spiked bracelet worn on a man
Image # 4: Photographer Maria Kotsoni, Smiley Spiked bracelet worn with a watch and assorted bracelets
Image # 5: Photographer Maria Kotsoni, Smiley Spiked bracelet worn with watch and assorted bracelets

Sponsored

Explore Beyond Designers.org

Discover products, services and opportunities from our advertising partners.

Good Design Deserves Great Recognition

The A' Design Award is an international, juried accolade for good design. Take part in the A' Design Award to get an opportunity to earn meritocratic recognition, gain fame, prestige and publicity for your work. Nominate your work for the A' Design Award and compete for the coveted A' Design Prize.

Nominate