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Press Release

Dirty Dog Toy

A' Design Award 2026 Silver Winner in Toys, Games and Hobby Products Design

25 April 2026

Dirty Dog Toy by Hangzhou Yangyang Lejia
Dirty Dog Toy by Hangzhou Yangyang Lejia
Dirty Dog Toy by Hangzhou Yangyang Lejia
Dirty Dog Toy by Hangzhou Yangyang Lejia
Dirty Dog Toy by Hangzhou Yangyang Lejia

Hangzhou Yangyang Lejia · CLIENT: Little Hideout

Dirty Dog is a plush toy collection created for companionship and emotional comfort. The collection includes four plush dogs with distinct personalities, united by a consistent design language and color scheme. Small sizes work as portable collectibles, large sizes are made for hugging, and jumbo sizes serve as body pillows for resting. Each plush dog is made from blended plush in varying pile lengths for a layered texture. The surface smudges are applied by hand with pigment powder and an airbrush, turning marks of mud and grass into signs of play and adventure.

Press Kit

Unique Properties
Dirty Dog is a plush toy collection that centers on companionship and emotional comfort. It includes four plush dogs with distinct personalities, brought together through a consistent design language and color scheme to create a unified family identity. The collection is available in small sizes as portable collectibles, large sizes as plush toys for hugging, and jumbo sizes as body pillows for resting and cuddling, meeting various needs and bringing warmth to daily life.
Dimensions & Packaging
product dimensions, 1600 mm x 1000 mm x 1000 mm, 300 mm x 150 mm x 100 mm
Tags
Plush Toy, Companionship, Body Pillow, Character Collection, Exploration of Nature, Smudge Aesthetics, Versatile Use
Production Technology
Each plush dog is made from blended plush in varying pile lengths to create rich tactile and visual layers. Smudges on the surface are not printed, but handmade using pigment powder and an airbrush, producing soft gradients that resemble natural smudges. This technique preserves the lifelike appearance of the toys while highlighting their handcrafted quality.
Design Challenge
A key challenge was turning smudges that are usually seen as flaws into a meaningful and appealing design language. Each smudge, whether mud, dirt, or paint, is purposefully linked to the dogs’ playful actions. In this way, the smudges become badges symbolizing adventure and exploration rather than messiness, elevating imperfection into a unique aesthetic that embodies a sense of vitality and reminding people to cherish every mess, laugh, and adventure.
Project Duration
Launched in Los Angeles in July 2025, the project was completed in Tianjin in August 2025, and exhibited at the LightBox Expo in Los Angeles in October 2025 and at FluffyCon in Shanghai in December 2025.
Operation Flow
The collection offers companionship and fosters emotional connection. Small plush toys are portable, providing comfort and companionship on the go, while large ones are made for home use, supporting hugging, leaning, or resting. The ergonomic jumbo plush toys accommodate multiple holding positions, from side hugs to full wraps. With different sizes, Dirty Dog supports both outdoor adventures and indoor relaxation, blending seamlessly into everyday life.
Research
The visual language of plush toys is based on the observations of pet behaviors. Unlike many products on the market that prioritize symmetry and cleanliness over storytelling, the team captures and turns the happy moments of dogs rolling in muddy puddles and playing in grass into unique character traits. To meet the need for warmth and emotional connection in fastpaced life, the shape, texture, and color of the collection are warm and friendly, strengthening the bond between toys and users.
Inspiration
The collection draws inspiration from the everyday joy of dogs rolling in muddy puddles and running through grass. The team challenges the modern pursuit of absolute cleanliness, redefining smudges, such as mud, dirt, and paint, as badges of adventure, curiosity, and freedom. The color palette draws from natural tones of soil, grass, and flowers, creating a lively natural aesthetic that inspires a heartfelt connection to real, simple pleasures.

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