Button Blessings Mamanu Fa'ailoga by Chih-Chiao Yu

Button Blessings Mamanu Fa'ailoga by Chih-Chiao Yu is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award Apamemea in Mamanu Ata Fa'atusa Competition Category.

ApamemeaAta Fa'atusa· 2025

Button Blessings Mamanu Fa'ailoga

by Chih-Chiao Yu

Client: Button Blessings

A' Design Award Apamemea Winner in Ata Fa'atusa Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #172388

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Button Blessings Mamanu Fa'ailoga

O le tu'ufa'atasiga o le mamanu faamau ma le aganuu fa'ale-malumalu o le vavau, e fa'aofi ai e lenei mamanu le matagofie fa'aonaponei e toe fa'aola ai atua anamua. O faamau ta'itasi e fa'ailoga ai le puipuiga, fa'amanuiaga, ma le faatuatua, e fa'afaigofie ai mea fa'alelotu i tupulaga talavou i o latou olaga i aso uma. E ala i le afifi fa'apitoa ma le fa'amatalaina o tala, o nei mamanu e avea ma ni ave o le aganuu fa'apea fo'i ma fa'aaliga o le fa'asa, e tu'ufa'atasia lelei le tu ma aga ma mea fa'aonaponei ma toe fa'aolaina le aganuu fa'ale-malumalu i le sosaiete o aso nei.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Apamemea

O le A' Design Award Apamemea na manumalo ai Button Blessings Mamanu Fa'ailoga, o se faamaoniga matuā mamalu e tuuina atu i mamanu ese e iloga i le fatufatuaʻi, le atamai ma le poto. O ē manumalo i le Apamemea o mea e iai le tomai atoa ma fatufatuaʻi mataʻina e faamaonia ai le poto masani tele, le mafaufau ma le atamai o tagata mamanu. E faamoemoeina Button Blessings Mamanu Fa'ailoga e avea ma mea e vivii tele, ua pelepelea, e iloga i le tomai faapolofesa ma mea fou. O lenei mamanu na manumalo i le A' Design Award Apamemea e tuufaatasia ai faiga sili i le faatufugaga, saienisi, mamanu ma tekonolosi ma e sili ona lelei i le mataituina o mea itiiti. Button Blessings Mamanu Fa'ailoga e faamalieina matagofie manaʻoga, pa i manaʻo, faalataina lagona ma faaosofia le fia iloa.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: "Button Blessings" integrates button design with temple culture, serving not only a functional purpose but also symbolizing protection and connection, reflecting the essence of traditional faith. Through refined visual storytelling, it reinterprets deities with a contemporary aesthetic, resonating with younger generations. The design incorporates unique packaging and publications, offering a modern perspective on faith while fostering cultural continuity.
Dimensions & Packaging: Button Size 40mm x 40mm,Poster Size 594mm × 841mm,Box Size 28mm × 20mm × 6mm
Tags: Button Design, Temple Culture, Traditional Heritage, Booklet Design, Young Generation, Modern Aesthetics, Taiwanese Identity, Cultural Products, Tradition & Innovation, Faith in Design
Production Technology: This design incorporates warm materials like wood, rice beads, yarn, and embroidery. Laser-engraved patterns on wood draw inspiration from deity attire, while the dragon-scale bookbinding symbolizes faith. Wrapped in a scroll, it emphasizes tradition. The wooden sliding box, inspired by temple architecture, merges traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics. Inside, button sets, booklets, and cards rest in smooth wood, reinforcing the cultural narrative.
Design Challenge: The challenge was making temple culture relevant to young people through buttons, merging tradition with modern aesthetics. We balanced cultural symbolism with contemporary appeal while ensuring precision in wood engraving, embroidery, and beadwork. Limited access to historical records and traditional techniques required careful adaptation. Additionally, designing a packaging system that felt both authentic and functional added complexity to the process.
Research: This research explores how buttons can serve as a bridge between traditional temple culture and modern life. The study aimed to understand young people's perceptions of temple traditions and their willingness to engage with cultural symbols. Using surveys and interviews, data was collected from individuals interested in design and cultural heritage. Findings revealed that tactile, personal objects enhance emotional connection. This insight guided the use of wood, embroidery, and beading to create a warm, intimate interaction with the design.
Inspiration: As younger generations drift from temple culture, preserving its history and faith becomes increasingly challenging. Drawing from the connection between "temples × buttons," we see buttons as symbols of bonding and connection, reflecting the emotional essence of faith. Through design, we create cultural products that blend seamlessly into daily life, making tradition more accessible and engaging for modern audiences.
Project Duration: The project started in July 2024 in Taiwan and was completed in April 2025 in New Taipei City.
Operation Flow: This design blends modern aesthetics with traditional culture, allowing users to engage with heritage in a contemporary way. The button set and booklet invite exploration of the deities' meanings while forming a personal connection. The wooden packaging opens smoothly, revealing the items and offering a tactile experience. This fusion of tradition and modern visuals sparks emotional connections, making it appealing to younger generations.
Team Members: Chih-Chiao Yu
Yu-Ting Hsu
Jie-Ling Chen
Tzu-Heng Tang
Image Credits: Photographer:Tzu-Heng Tang
Illustrator:Chih-Chiao Yu,Yu-Ting Hsu,Jie-Ling Chen
Layout Designer:Tzu-Heng Tang
Content Creator:Chih-Chiao Yu,Yu-Ting Hsu,Jie-Ling Chen,Tzu-Heng Tang
Copy Editor:Yu-Ting Hsu
Theme Structure:Chih-Chiao Yu,Yu-Ting Hsu,Jie-Ling Chen,Tzu-Heng Tang