Horse Year Ambalaža za mirisne štapiće by Bingran Zhao

Horse Year Ambalaža za mirisne štapiće by Bingran Zhao is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Brončana nagrada A' Design Award in Dizajn Ambalaže Competition Category.

BroncaAmbalaža· 2026

Horse Year Ambalaža za mirisne štapiće

by Bingran Zhao

Client: BeiHang University

Brončana nagrada A' Design Award Winner in Ambalaža Category

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Verified Award Winner
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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Horse Year Ambalaža za mirisne štapiće

Godina konja je serija ambalaže za mirisne štapiće. Dizajn se temelji na kineskom znaku za konja u pečatnom pismu, u kombinaciji s linearnim jezikom daoističkih talismana i uzorcima dima. Pet varijanti slijedi ciklus boja temeljen na pet elemenata: metalu, vodi, drvu, vatri i zemlji. Pet kutija može se postaviti jedna uz drugu kako bi oblikovale sliku konja u galopu. Izvlačenjem unutarnjeg pretinca otkrivaju se mirisni štapići i poruka blagoslova. Nepremazani karton, tinte na bazi soje i pretinac od lijevane celuloze podržavaju recikliranje.

The Recognition

About the Brončana nagrada A' Design Award

Horse Year Ambalaža za mirisne štapiće je pobjednik Brončane nagrade A' Design Award, visoko prestižnog priznanja koje se dodjeljuje izvanrednim dizajnima što se odlikuju kreativnošću, domišljatošću i oštroumnošću. Brončani pobjednici izdašno su vješti i upečatljivo kreativni artefakti koji potvrđuju golemo iskustvo, maštu i snalažljivost svojih dizajnera. Očekuje se da Horse Year Ambalaža za mirisne štapiće bude visoko cijenjen, voljen i njegovan predmet koji je izuzetno profesionalan i inovativan. Ovaj dizajn koji je osvojio Brončanu nagradu A' Design Award uključuje najbolje prakse u umjetnosti, znanosti, dizajnu i tehnologiji i izvrstan je zbog pažnje posvećene detaljima. Horse Year Ambalaža za mirisne štapiće sjajno zadovoljava potrebe, dotiče želje, očarava osjećaje i privlači znatiželju.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: This packaging series transforms the seal script Chinese character for Horse and the linear language of Daoist talismans into a contemporary visual system tailored for incense products. Through a color cycle derived from the generative logic of the Five Elements and the subtle integration of flowing 2026 curves the five variants are unified into a coherent narrative regarding time and blessing. The design merges ritual sensibility emotional experience and everyday usability enabling users to intuitively select incense according to their emotional state rather than engaging with the packaging merely as a decorative container.
Dimensions & Packaging: Width 160 mm × Depth 40 mm × Height 70 mm
Tags: Incense packaging, Year of the Horse, Chinese zodiac, Five Elements, Daoist talisman
Production Technology: The packaging employs uncoated paperboard soy based inks and restrained hot stamping to emphasize the seal script visual while ensuring recyclability. Constructed through die cutting and folding the design utilizes a molded pulp inner tray instead of plastic. The graphic system is developed by vectorizing strokes from seal script and Daoist talismanic lines refined through rigorous prototyping and color calibration.
Design Challenge: The primary challenge lies in translating specific cultural elements like seal script the Five Elements and Daoist motifs into a contemporary global packaging language avoiding stereotypical Oriental imagery. Research balanced historical literature with youth aesthetic preferences selecting motifs that convey cultural depth without religious misinterpretation. Execution complexity arose from controlling fine lines on uncoated paper using soy based inks. Multiple proof iterations ensured both environmental sustainability and visual precision.
Research: This qualitative design study seeks to reintegrate traditional incense and Daoist culture into the daily lives of younger audiences. The research methodology synthesized literature reviews on Five Elements symbolism with competitive market analysis. Interviews and user testing with participants aged 20 to 35 investigated specific habits and aesthetic preferences. Findings revealed that minimalist narrative driven and emotionally expressive designs are preferred for gifting purposes. These insights directly informed decisions regarding the final form color system and copywriting strategy.
Inspiration: Inspired by Chinese incense culture this project celebrates the 2026 Year of the Horse through the Five Elements. The design condenses Eastern philosophy into packaging by blending the seal script horse character with Daoist talismans and smoke patterns. Hidden curves subtly form the number 2026. The color system follows the generative cycle of Metal Water Wood Fire and Earth. This chromatic logic connects five variants inviting users to select a fragrance and an auspicious intention for the day.
Project Duration: The project started in May 2025 in Beijing China and finished in November 2025.
Operation Flow: Users may first align the five individual boxes side by side to assemble a complete image of a galloping horse, and then select the incense corresponding to a particular color and Five Elements attribute according to their current mood or usage scenario. The packaging is opened by pulling out an inner tray, through which the incense and its associated blessing message are revealed simultaneously. This deliberately slowed opening action creates a brief "pre-ritual" moment before the act of lighting the incense.
After use, the outer boxes can be retained as modular desktop storage units or framed as decorative panels, allowing the packaging to continue functioning beyond a single-use context. In this way, the interaction extends beyond one-time consumption and encourages sustained engagement with the product and its cultural narrative.
Patents: Bingran Zhao
Image Credits: Image #1：Bingran Zhao
Image #2：Jiuxiao Cui
Image #3：Zhou