Marimask Gezichtsmasker by Yawen Chen is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2023 A' Design Award in IJzer in Wegwerp- en Eenmalig Gebruik Product Ontwerp Competition Category.

IJzerWegwerpproduct· 2023

Marimask Gezichtsmasker

by Yawen Chen

A' Design Award in IJzer Winner in Wegwerpproduct Category

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Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #150054

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Marimask Gezichtsmasker

Marimask is een wegwerpgezichtsmasker met bandjes die eenvoudig doorgeknipt kunnen worden. Een drukknop op het masker knipt de bandjes door zodra het masker wordt verwijderd, wat het risico verkleint dat zeedieren erin verstrikt raken. Het masker en de verpakking zijn gemaakt van materialen op basis van zeewier, die op natuurlijke wijze biologisch afbreken in de bodem of in zeewater. De zeewiervezel heeft daarnaast een antibacterieel effect, en de filterefficiëntie voldoet aan de KN95-norm. Op de verpakking wordt uitgelegd waarom het doorknippen van de bandjes het zeeleven beschermt. Het ontwerp is een reactie op de vele weggegooide mondmaskers die in rivieren en oceanen terechtkomen.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award in IJzer

Marimask Gezichtsmasker is winnaar van de A' Design Award in IJzer, een prestigieuze erkenning die wordt toegekend aan goede ontwerpen die voldoen aan de professionele en industriële eisen die worden verwacht van goed ontworpen creaties. Winnaars in IJzer tonen grote vaardigheid, hoge specialisatie, deskundig inzicht en het creatieve vermogen van hun makers. Marimask Gezichtsmasker wordt verwacht een hooggewaardeerde, bewonderde en gekoesterde creatie te zijn die praktisch en innovatief is. Dit ontwerp dat de A' Design Award in IJzer heeft gewonnen, integreert de beste praktijken uit de sector en heeft bekwame technische kenmerken die verbonden zijn met knowhow en talent. Marimask Gezichtsmasker wordt gerespecteerd om zijn grondigheid en is ontworpen om verbeteringen van de levenskwaliteit te bieden die helpen de wereld een betere plek te maken.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Marimask is a face mask with easy-cutting straps. It guides people to click the button, which can easily cut off the mask straps, aiming to reduce the risk of marine life strangled by masks. Being made of Biodegradable Materials, it can be degraded and composted later after use.
Dimensions & Packaging: 150mm x 100mm x 5mm
Tags: Face mask, Ocean protection, Marine life, Degradable materials, Sustainable design
Production Technology: Marimask and its package are made of seaweed-based materials, which can be biodegraded in soil or seawater. The seaweed fiber added to the mask has an antibacterial effect because it will form a weak acid environment rich in sodium and calcium ions, where bacteria cannot survive. Additionally, the filter efficiency of the mask reaches the standard of KN95.
Design Challenge: The most difficult part of the design process is selecting the appropriate structure to enable people to cut the straps in a natural and efficient way. Finally, we chose the Push-button structure, which makes the action of cutting the straps consistent with that of removing the mask, which is easy and convenient. Additionally, we innovatively use the seaweed-based materials that can be degraded and composted later after use to add more value of environmental protection.
Research: Abstract
Research types- Interpreting research.
Purpose- The pollution of discarded masks has become a huge threat to marine life. However, little design has provided a practical way to solve this problem. This work aims to remind people to cut the straps when discarding masks and make this behavior more natural and efficient.
Design/methodology/approach- Primary research, secondary research, Focus Groups, User Journey Map, etc.
Findings- Every month that the planet faces the coronavirus, an estimated 200 billion disposable face masks are being disposed of and entering rivers and oceans. These synthetic PPE items can hurt marine life by entangling them with straps, polluting the environment with their Non-biodegradable material. Cutting straps is a proper way to discard the masks. However, only less than 20% of people know it.
Originality/value- We design a face mask with easy-cutting straps. Through intuitive graphic information and simple operation, it mobilizes people to protect marine life through simple daily behaviors and makes an outstanding contribution to marine protection.
Inspiration: Every month that the planet faces the coronavirus, an estimated 200 billion disposable face masks are being disposed of and entering rivers and oceans. These synthetic PPE items can hurt marine life by entangling them with straps, polluting the environment with their Non-biodegradable material. Cutting straps is a proper way to discard the masks. However, only less than 20% of people know it.
Project Duration: The project started in December 2022 and finished in February 2023 in Guangzhou.
Operation Flow: People can learn the significance of cutting mask straps to save marine life from Marimask’s package. When they run out of the mask, they can click the button and the mask straps will be cut off. And then they can throw it in a dustbin. The mask will be biodegraded in soil or seawater, which is environmentally and sustainable.
Team Members: Yawen Chen
Xiaofeng Wu
Lixuan Zhao
Angchi Huang