Her Decree Rank by Yutong Shen is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award an Bronze in Schmuckdesign Competition Category.

BronzeSchmuck· 2026

Her Decree Rank

by Yutong Shen

Client: Yelonne Chatonne

A' Design Award an Bronze Winner in Schmuck Category

8,466

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #181981

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Her Decree Rank

Her Decree ass e Rank, deen och als Stëft benotzt ka ginn. Den Design ass vun der Fiederplum inspiréiert, engem historesche Symbol vu Wëssen an Autoritéit, dat als zäitgenëssesch Expressioun vu Muecht nei interpretéiert gouf. D'Spëtzt integréiert eng Stëftspëtzt aus enger Legierung ouni Tënt, sou datt de Rank als diskret a präzist Instrument fir z'ënnerschreiwe kann déngen. D'Fiederform gouf duerch präzis 3D-Modelléierung geformt an duerch héichdetailléierte Wuessausschmëlzguss produzéiert, wat der Struktur souwuel skulptural Fluiditéit wéi och Stäerkt gëtt. De Rank representéiert d'Muecht vun enger Fra, hiert eegent Schicksal selwer ze schreiwen.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award an Bronze

Her Decree Rank ass e Gewënner vum A' Design Award an Bronze, enger héich prestigiéiser Unerkennung, déi un erausragend Designe vergi gëtt, déi sech duerch Kreativitéit, Erfindungsgab a Schlauheet ausgezeechnen. Bronze-Gewënner si voll Fäegkeet a opfälleg kreativ Wierker, déi déi grouss Erfahrung, d'Fantasie an d'Ressourceréichtum vun hire Designer bestätegen. Et gëtt erwaart, datt Her Decree Rank e héich geschätzt, bewonnert a beléifte Géigestand ass, bemierkenswäert professionell an innovativ. Dëst mam Bronze ausgezeechent Design integréiert déi beschte Praktike vun der Konscht, der Wëssenschaft, vum Design an der Technologie an zeechent sech duerch Opmierksamkeet fir Detailer aus. Her Decree Rank erfëllt Bedierfnesser exzellent, beréiert Wënsch, bezauberet Gefiller an erweckt Neigierecht.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: A ring that can write. A pen that can be worn. Inspired by the quill pen, this piece transforms a historic symbol of knowledge and authority into a contemporary expression of power. The tip incorporates an inkless alloy pen tip, allowing the ring to function as a subtle and precise signing instrument. It represents the power of a woman to define, declare, and write her own destiny.
Dimensions & Packaging: 26mm x 22mm x 28mm
Tags: quill pen, female empowerment, wearable design, functional jewelry, symbolic design, contemporary jewelry, inkless pen
Production Technology: The ring is developed through precision 3D modeling and produced using high-detail lost-wax casting. The feather structure is digitally engineered to maintain both sculptural fluidity and structural strength.
Design Challenge: The primary challenge of this project was translating the symbolic meaning of the quill pen into a contemporary ring form without reducing it to literal decoration. The design required balancing sculptural elegance with structural durability. Integrating an inkless writing mechanism within a fine jewelry scale presented technical constraints related to precision, material strength, and wearability. Additional challenges included maintaining aesthetic refinement while ensuring functional reliability. These obstacles were addressed through iterative digital modeling, structural reinforcement strategies, and material testing to achieve both conceptual integrity and practical feasibility.
Research: This project investigates the historical symbolism of the quill pen as an instrument of knowledge and authority from the sixth to seventh century onward. Research focused on the relationship between writing, power structures, and gender identity in European history. Methods included historical literature review, visual analysis of royal documentation artifacts, and material experimentation through digital modeling and prototyping. The design integrates symbolic abstraction with functional innovation by incorporating an inkless writing mechanism within a wearable object. The result is a ring that reinterprets authorship as a contemporary expression of female agency and personal sovereignty.
Inspiration: This ring is inspired by the quill pen, widely used across Europe from the sixth to seventh century onward. In that era, knowledge was inseparable from divine authority and writing symbolized power and order. Reimagined as a ring, the flowing feather express grace and softness while the pen represents intellect and discernment. It embodies a balance of elegance and wisdom and symbolizes a woman writing her own power.
Project Duration: The project started in Dec 2025 in New york and finished in Feb 2026
Patents: Yutong Shen
Image Credits: Yutong Shen