Marimask Kifuniko cha Uso by Yawen Chen is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2023 Tuzo ya Chuma ya A' Design Award in Usanifu wa Bidhaa za Kutumika Mara Moja Competition Category.

ChumaBidhaa ya Kutumika Mara Moja· 2023

Marimask Kifuniko cha Uso

by Yawen Chen

Tuzo ya Chuma ya A' Design Award Winner in Bidhaa ya Kutumika Mara Moja Category

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Marimask Kifuniko cha Uso

Marimask ni kifuniko cha uso cha matumizi ya mara moja chenye kamba zinazoweza kukatwa kwa urahisi. Kitufe cha kubonyeza kilichopo kwenye kifuniko hukata kamba wakati kifuniko kinapoondolewa, jambo linalopunguza hatari ya wanyama wa baharini kunaswa kwenye kamba hizo. Kifuniko na kifungashio chake vimetengenezwa kwa malighafi zitokanazo na mwani ambazo huoza kiasili udongoni au katika maji ya bahari. Nyuzi za mwani pia hutoa uwezo wa kuzuia bakteria, na ufanisi wa kichujio unakidhi kiwango cha KN95. Kifungashio kinaeleza sababu ya kwa nini kukata kamba hulinda viumbe vya baharini. Muundo huu ni jibu kwa tatizo la barakoa nyingi zinazotupwa na kuishia kwenye mito na bahari.

The Recognition

About the Tuzo ya Chuma ya A' Design Award

Marimask Kifuniko cha Uso ni mshindi wa Tuzo ya Chuma ya A' Design Award, utambuzi wenye heshima unaotolewa kwa miundo mizuri inayokidhi mahitaji ya kitaalamu na ya kiviwanda yanayotarajiwa kutoka kwa kazi zilizobuniwa vizuri. Washindi wa Chuma huonyesha ustadi mkubwa, utaalamu wa hali ya juu, uelewa wa kitaalamu na uwezo wa kibunifu wa waumbaji wao. Marimask Kifuniko cha Uso inatarajiwa kuwa kazi inayothaminiwa sana, kupendwa na kuenziwa, ambayo ni ya vitendo na bunifu. Muundo huu ulioshinda Tuzo ya Chuma ya A' Design Award unajumuisha mbinu bora za tasnia na una sifa za kiufundi zenye uwezo zilizounganishwa na ujuzi na kipaji. Marimask Kifuniko cha Uso inaheshimiwa kwa uangalifu wake na imebuniwa kutoa maboresho ya ubora wa maisha yanayosaidia kuufanya ulimwengu kuwa mahali bora zaidi.

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