Marimask フェイスマスク by Yawen Chen is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2023 A' Design Award 鉄賞 in 使い捨て・シングルユース製品デザイン Competition Category.

鉄シングルユース製品· 2023

Marimask フェイスマスク

by Yawen Chen

A' Design Award 鉄賞 Winner in シングルユース製品 Category

559,088

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #150054

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Marimask フェイスマスク

Marimask（マリマスク）は、耳ひもを簡単に切断できる使い捨てフェイスマスクです。マスク本体に設けられたプッシュボタンにより、マスクを外す動作と同時に耳ひもが切断され、海洋生物が絡まるリスクを低減します。マスクとそのパッケージは海藻由来の素材で作られており、土壌中や海水中で生分解します。海藻繊維は抗菌効果ももたらし、フィルター性能はKN95規格を満たしています。パッケージには、耳ひもを切ることがなぜ海洋生物の保護につながるのかが説明されています。このデザインは、河川や海洋へと流れ着く大量の廃棄マスクという問題に応えるものです。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 鉄賞

Marimask フェイスマスクは、よく設計された創造物に期待される専門的・産業的要件を満たす優れたデザインに授与される、権威ある評価である A' Design Award 鉄賞の受賞作品です。鉄賞の受賞作品は、制作者の高い技量、高度な専門性、専門家としての理解、創造的な能力を示しています。Marimask フェイスマスクは、高く評価され、称賛され、愛される、実用的で革新的な創造物であることが期待されます。この A' Design Award 鉄賞を受賞したデザインは、業界のベストプラクティスを統合し、ノウハウと才能に結びついた有能な技術的特性を備えています。Marimask フェイスマスクは、その徹底ぶりで尊敬され、世界をより良い場所にするための生活の質の向上をもたらすよう設計されています。

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Marimask is a face mask with easy-cutting straps. It guides people to click the button, which can easily cut off the mask straps, aiming to reduce the risk of marine life strangled by masks. Being made of Biodegradable Materials, it can be degraded and composted later after use.
Dimensions & Packaging: 150mm x 100mm x 5mm
Tags: Face mask, Ocean protection, Marine life, Degradable materials, Sustainable design
Production Technology: Marimask and its package are made of seaweed-based materials, which can be biodegraded in soil or seawater. The seaweed fiber added to the mask has an antibacterial effect because it will form a weak acid environment rich in sodium and calcium ions, where bacteria cannot survive. Additionally, the filter efficiency of the mask reaches the standard of KN95.
Design Challenge: The most difficult part of the design process is selecting the appropriate structure to enable people to cut the straps in a natural and efficient way. Finally, we chose the Push-button structure, which makes the action of cutting the straps consistent with that of removing the mask, which is easy and convenient. Additionally, we innovatively use the seaweed-based materials that can be degraded and composted later after use to add more value of environmental protection.
Research: Abstract
Research types- Interpreting research.
Purpose- The pollution of discarded masks has become a huge threat to marine life. However, little design has provided a practical way to solve this problem. This work aims to remind people to cut the straps when discarding masks and make this behavior more natural and efficient.
Design/methodology/approach- Primary research, secondary research, Focus Groups, User Journey Map, etc.
Findings- Every month that the planet faces the coronavirus, an estimated 200 billion disposable face masks are being disposed of and entering rivers and oceans. These synthetic PPE items can hurt marine life by entangling them with straps, polluting the environment with their Non-biodegradable material. Cutting straps is a proper way to discard the masks. However, only less than 20% of people know it.
Originality/value- We design a face mask with easy-cutting straps. Through intuitive graphic information and simple operation, it mobilizes people to protect marine life through simple daily behaviors and makes an outstanding contribution to marine protection.
Inspiration: Every month that the planet faces the coronavirus, an estimated 200 billion disposable face masks are being disposed of and entering rivers and oceans. These synthetic PPE items can hurt marine life by entangling them with straps, polluting the environment with their Non-biodegradable material. Cutting straps is a proper way to discard the masks. However, only less than 20% of people know it.
Project Duration: The project started in December 2022 and finished in February 2023 in Guangzhou.
Operation Flow: People can learn the significance of cutting mask straps to save marine life from Marimask’s package. When they run out of the mask, they can click the button and the mask straps will be cut off. And then they can throw it in a dustbin. The mask will be biodegraded in soil or seawater, which is environmentally and sustainable.
Team Members: Yawen Chen
Xiaofeng Wu
Lixuan Zhao
Angchi Huang