Whispers Under Wings Silsilad Luqunta ah oo Laalaad leh by Sirui Zhu

Whispers Under Wings Silsilad Luqunta ah oo Laalaad leh by Sirui Zhu is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Abaalmarinta Birta ah ee A' Design Award in Naqshadeynta Dahabka iyo Xardhanka Competition Category.

BirDahab· 2026

Whispers Under Wings Silsilad Luqunta ah oo Laalaad leh

by Sirui Zhu

Client: Niutopia

Abaalmarinta Birta ah ee A' Design Award Winner in Dahab Category

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Whispers Under Wings Silsilad Luqunta ah oo Laalaad leh

Whispers Under Wings waa laalaad silsilad luqunta ah oo loo qaabeeyey sida cayayaanka beetle-ka. Baalasha godan waxay sameeyaan qolof daloolo faneed leh oo daahsan, taas oo gudaheeda ku haysa jinni yar oo laalaadsan. Marka qofka xiran uu dhaqaaqo, jinniga gudaha ku jira ayaa dhaqaaqa oo soo saara dhawaaq jilicsan oo u eg dawan. Laalaadkan waxaa lagu horumariyay qaabaynta dhijitaalka ah, waxaana laga sameeyay qalin (silver) iyadoo la adeegsanayo habka shubidda shamaca lumay (lost-wax casting), kadibna waxaa lagu dhammaystiray gacan, dhalaalin iyo isu-keenid taxaddar leh. Qaybtu waxay cabbirkeedu yahay 20 kor 40 kor 15 milimitir. Beetle-ka waxaa loo adeegsaday astaan u ah ilaalin, isbeddel iyo adkeysi, halka jinniga dhaqaaqa uu muujinayo jilicsanaan iyo male-awaal.

The Recognition

About the Abaalmarinta Birta ah ee A' Design Award

Whispers Under Wings Silsilad Luqunta ah oo Laalaad leh waa guuleystaha Abaalmarinta Birta ah ee A' Design Award, aqoonsi sharaf leh oo la siiyo naqshado wanaagsan oo buuxiya shuruudaha xirfadeed iyo kuwa warshadeed ee laga filayo hal-abuurro si wanaagsan loo naqshadeeyay. Guuleystayaasha Birta waxay muujiyaan xirfad weyn, takhasus sare, fahan khabiir iyo awood hal-abuur oo abuurayaashooda. Whispers Under Wings Silsilad Luqunta ah oo Laalaad leh waa hal-abuur la filayo inuu noqdo mid aad loo tixgeliyo, la ixtiraamo oo la jecel yahay, wax ku ool ah oo cusub. Naqshadahan ku guuleystay Abaalmarinta Birta ah ee A' Design Award wuxuu isku daraa hab-dhaqannada ugu wanaagsan warshadda wuxuuna leeyahay sifooyin farsamo oo karti leh oo ku xiran aqoon iyo hibo. Dhammaystirkeeda awgeed, Whispers Under Wings Silsilad Luqunta ah oo Laalaad leh waa mudan ixtiraam, waxaana loo naqshadeeyay inay keento hagaajin nololeed oo ka caawisa in adduunka laga dhigo meel ka wanaagsan.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: This pendant reimagines the beetle as a kinetic vessel of enchantment. The hollowed wings form a delicate architectural shell, encasing a suspended sprite that moves freely within. As the wearer moves, the inner fairy gently shifts, producing a clear, bell-like resonance. The design merges sculptural precision with interactive sound, transforming jewelry into a living, sensory experience defined by motion, lightness, and subtle acoustic presence.
Dimensions & Packaging: 20mm x 40mm x 15mm, silver weight 18.1g
Tags: Fairy, Beetle, Necklace, Niutopia
Production Technology: The design was developed through digital modeling to precisely define the hollow structure and internal suspension system. Using lost-wax casting, the beetle form was translated into metal while preserving fine openwork details. The inner sprite element was fabricated and integrated through a concealed kinetic mounting. Final processes included hand finishing, polishing, and careful assembly to ensure balanced movement and acoustic clarity.
Design Challenge: The main challenge was developing a hollow structure that could securely contain the inner sprite while allowing it to move freely and produce sound. The internal spacing had to be carefully adjusted to prevent obstruction while maintaining stability. Achieving the right balance between structural strength and visual lightness required multiple prototypes. Special attention was given to suspension, weight distribution, and assembly to ensure both durability and consistent kinetic response.
Research: The design was influenced by the forests of Vancouver, where close observation of insects, organic structures, and natural movement sparked imaginative exploration. Sketching and prototyping were used to study how a protective outer form could contain a delicate inner presence. Special attention was given to creating a hollow structure that allows internal movement while maintaining stability. Through iterative testing, the relationship between protection, motion, and sound was refined, resulting in a piece that reflects the quiet vitality and mystery of nature.
Inspiration: The design is inspired by the beetle, a symbol of protection, transformation, and resilience. By envisioning the beetle as a living vessel, the piece explores the idea of an inner spirit sheltered within a structured exterior. The suspended sprite represents fragility and imagination, while the hollow wings suggest permeability rather than enclosure. Movement and sound become metaphors for presence, reminding the wearer that life, even when protected, remains dynamic and responsive.
Project Duration: The project stated in December 2025 in Vancouver and finished in January 2026.
Operation Flow: The pendant comes to life through the wearer’s movement. As the body shifts, the small inner sprite gently moves within the hollow beetle form, creating a soft, bell-like sound. This subtle motion transforms the piece from a static object into a responsive presence. The interaction is intuitive and continuous, allowing the wearer to experience the jewelry not only visually, but through sound and movement.
Team Members: Sirui Zhu
Image Credits: Image#1: Photographer Sirui Zhu
Image#2: Photographer Sirui Zhu
Image#3: Photographer Sirui Zhu
Image#4: Photographer Sirui Zhu
Image#5: Photographer Sirui Zhu