Junk Paradise コレクタブルフィギュア by Yawen Qiang

Junk Paradise コレクタブルフィギュア by Yawen Qiang is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award 銅賞 in 玩具・ゲーム・ホビー製品デザイン Competition Category.

銅玩具· 2026

Junk Paradise コレクタブルフィギュア

by Yawen Qiang

Client: Yawen Qiang

A' Design Award 銅賞 Winner in 玩具 Category

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Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #183308

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Junk Paradise コレクタブルフィギュア

Junk Paradiseは、動物のキャラクターとショートストーリーをもとにしたコレクタブルフィギュアのシリーズです。それぞれのフィギュアは、小さな欠点を遊び心のある強みへと変えたキャラクターを表現しています。ヤマアラシのポポは、友達を抱きしめられるように、自分の針をポップコーンで覆います。ペリカンのスシは、海を怖がる川の魚たちのためにホエールウォッチングクルーズを運営しています。キャラクターはデジタル造形によってモデリングされ、レジンプリントで試作した後、レジンで成型されました。層を重ねたスプレー塗装と手描きのディテールが各作品を仕上げています。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 銅賞

Junk Paradise コレクタブルフィギュアは、創造性、独創性、鋭い洞察力で際立つ傑出したデザインに授与される、高い権威をもつ評価である A' Design Award 銅賞の受賞作品です。銅賞の受賞作品は、十分に巧みで印象的なほど創造的な工芸品であり、デザイナーの豊富な経験、想像力、機知を裏づけています。Junk Paradise コレクタブルフィギュアは、高く評価され、称賛され、愛される品であり、顕著にプロフェッショナルで革新的であることが期待されます。この A' Design Award 銅賞を受賞したデザインは、芸術・科学・デザイン・技術のベストプラクティスを取り入れており、細部への配慮に優れています。Junk Paradise コレクタブルフィギュアは、ニーズを見事に満たし、欲求に触れ、感情を魅了し、好奇心を引きつけます。

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