Junk Paradise Ngā Whakaahua Kohikohi by Yawen Qiang

Junk Paradise Ngā Whakaahua Kohikohi by Yawen Qiang is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Parahi in Hoahoa Taonga Tākaro, Kēmu me ngā Hua Runaruna Competition Category.

ParahiTaonga Tākaro· 2026

Junk Paradise Ngā Whakaahua Kohikohi

by Yawen Qiang

Client: Yawen Qiang

A' Design Award Parahi Winner in Taonga Tākaro 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 Ngā Whakaahua Kohikohi

Ko Junk Paradise he raupapa whakaahua kohikohi e ahu mai ana i ngā kiripuaki kararehe me ngā kōrero poto. Ka whakaatu ia whakaahua i tētahi kiripuaki me tētahi koha iti kua hurihia hei kaha ngahau. Ka mahi a Popo te pōkupeini i te pāpapa hei hipoki i ōna tara kia āhei ai ia ki te awhi i ōna hoa. Ka whakahaere a Sushi te perikana i tētahi haerenga mātakitaki tohorā mā ngā ika awa e mataku ana i te moana. I hangaia ngā kiripuaki hei whakairo matihiko, i whakatauiratia mā te tā rīhini, kātahi ka whakarewaina ki te rīhini. Ka whakaotia ia mahi mā te peita rehu paparanga me ngā taipitopito i peitahia ā-ringa.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Parahi

Ko Junk Paradise Ngā Whakaahua Kohikohi te toa o te A' Design Award Parahi, he whakaaetanga tino whai mana e hoatu ana ki ngā hoahoa kōeke e tohua ana mā te auaha, te mahi mōhio me te whakaaro hōhonu. Ko ngā toa Parahi he mahi pukenga e rite ana, he auaha mīharo, e whakatūturu ana i te wheako nui, te whakaaro me te mōhio-ā-ringa o ā rātou kaihoahoa. E tūmanakohia ana ko Junk Paradise Ngā Whakaahua Kohikohi he taonga whakanuia, whakamīharotia, aroha nui, he ngaio, he auaha hoki. Ko tēnei hoahoa i toa i te Parahi e whakauru ana i ngā tikanga pai rawa i te toi, te pūtaiao, te hoahoa me te hangarau, ā, he tino mīharo ki ngā taipitopito. Ka whakatutuki a Junk Paradise Ngā Whakaahua Kohikohi i ngā hiahia, ka pā ki ngā hiahia, ka whakaoho i ngā kare-ā-roto, ā, ka kume i te pākiki.

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