Suwen 고금(古琴) by Shanghai Yitong Cultural Communication Co.,Ltd.

Suwen 고금(古琴) by Shanghai Yitong Cultural Communication Co.,Ltd. is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award 동상 in 악기 디자인 Competition Category.

동악기· 2026

Suwen 고금(古琴)

by Shanghai Yitong Cultural Communication Co.,Ltd.

Client: Shanghai Yitong Cultural Communucation Co.,Ltd.

A' Design Award 동상 Winner in 악기 Category

14,086
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #180049

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Suwen 고금(古琴)

수원(Suwen)은 현대적 연주에 맞게 재해석한 중국 전통 현악기 고금이다. 형태는 호류지(法隆寺)에 소장된 당나라 시대 금(琴)을 따랐다. 공명판은 오래 묵힌 삼나무 또는 오동나무로, 뒷판은 개오동나무로 제작했다. 하지층은 녹각회와 생옻을 배합해 올렸다. 음향학적으로 설계된 내부 공명 공간은 소형화된 몸체에서도 정규 크기 악기에 준하는 음색과 음량을 구현한다. 무광 나뭇결 옻칠 마감은 건조하고 미끄러지지 않는 표면을 만든다. 악기 꼬리 부분의 넓어진 현 고정부는 초심자와 손이 작은 연주자의 손가락 움직임을 한결 수월하게 해준다.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 동상

Suwen 고금(古琴), 이 작품은 A' Design Award 동상 수상작으로, 창의성, 독창성, 영민함으로 돋보이는 뛰어난 디자인에 수여되는 높은 권위의 인정입니다. 동상 수상작은 충분히 숙련되고 인상적으로 창의적인 작품으로, 디자이너의 폭넓은 경험, 상상력, 기지를 입증합니다. Suwen 고금(古琴), 이 작품은 높이 평가받고 감탄과 사랑을 받는 사물로서 두드러지게 전문적이고 혁신적일 것으로 기대됩니다. 이 동상 수상 디자인은 예술, 과학, 디자인, 기술의 모범 사례를 담고 있으며 세부에 대한 주의로 훌륭합니다. Suwen 고금(古琴), 이 작품은 필요를 훌륭하게 충족하고 욕망에 닿으며 감정을 매료하고 호기심을 불러일으킵니다.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: This product echoes the classical elegance of the Tang dynasty qin at Horyuji Temple and is reimagined for modern playing. Innovatively, its compact body produces rich, expressive sound that meets professional standards, without sacrificing portability. Its matte grain lacquer finish remains dry and non slip. Details like the widened string anchor at the tail and the tuning pegs honor classical aesthetics yet serve modern practicality. Altogether, this instrument is timeless yet made for today.
Dimensions & Packaging: 1100mm*150mm*45mm
Tags: based on the Tang dynasty qin at Horyuji Temple, matte grain lacquer finish, portable, acoustically optimized, performance grade sound quality, full sound presence in a compact body, widened string anchor at the tail, contemporary reinterpretation of traditional instruments
Production Technology: The soundboard is crafted from aged cedar or paulownia over one hundred years old, with catalpa for the back. The base layer blends deer antler ash and raw lacquer using ancient methods, contributing to a resonant, open tone with rich harmonics ideal for performance. Furthermore, a proprietary matte grain lacquer finish creates a dry, non slip surface that enhances finger glide across the strings. The lacquer is also environmentally friendly and excels in water resistance and enduring beauty.
Design Challenge: The challenge is balancing how professionals and the public see the guqin. Experts value strict adherence to the historical form, while most users favor practical improvements. To bridge this gap, every modern refinement, such as the size and lacquer finish, stays within Tang dynasty aesthetics. The look remains true to tradition, and with use, the instrument delivers the rich tone and volume rivaling a performance grade full size qin, fulfilling both cultural respect and functional progress.
Research: The design solves key problems in traditional guqin use. Full size models are hard to carry and difficult for beginners, while smaller qins lack volume and tonal depth. Glossy lacquer finishes are often slippery, and standard shapes suit smaller hands poorly. The design echoes classical charm of the Tang dynasty qin at Horyuji Temple, while using acoustical engineering to achieve the volume, sound projection, and nuanced tone of a performance grade qin, enhancing both practicality and comfort.
Inspiration: This instrument draws on three key inspirations. The name Suwen evokes the exchange between the player and the qin in the stillness of night, embodying inward reflection central to Eastern thought and forming the spiritual core of this instrument. Its shape follows the Tang dynasty qin at Horyuji Temple, preserving its serene dignity. Based on the insight that greater smoothness does not mean smoother play, the matte grain lacquer finish prevents slipping or sticking from hand perspiration.
Project Duration: The design and development of this qin lasted from September 2022 to August 2024 in Shanghai. It debuted in May 2025 at the Contemporary Masters Qin Making Exhibition of the 2025 Yueyang Guqin Art Festival.
Operation Flow: Thoughtful refinements fully enhance the playing experience. An acoustically engineered interior cavity delivers the tonal volume and richness of a performance grade full size qin within a compact body, not merely increased volume. A widened string anchor at the tail and optimized proportions make finger movement across the strings easier, especially for beginners and players with smaller hands. The matte grain lacquer finish provides a non slip surface, improving control during performance.
Team Members: Ding Liang