Whispers Under Wings Pendanti Ẹ̀gbà Ọrùn by Sirui Zhu

Whispers Under Wings Pendanti Ẹ̀gbà Ọrùn by Sirui Zhu is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Irin A' Design Award in Àpẹẹrẹ Ohun Ọ̀ṣọ́ Ara Competition Category.

IrinOhun Ọ̀ṣọ́ Ara· 2026

Whispers Under Wings Pendanti Ẹ̀gbà Ọrùn

by Sirui Zhu

Client: Niutopia

Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Irin A' Design Award Winner in Ohun Ọ̀ṣọ́ Ara Category

4,883
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #180832

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Whispers Under Wings Pendanti Ẹ̀gbà Ọrùn

Whispers Under Wings jẹ́ pendanti ẹ̀gbà ọrùn tí a ṣe ní ìrísí kòkòrò ìgbín-igbó (beetle). Àwọn ìyẹ́ apá tí ó ṣófo nínú dá ìkarahun aláwòrán ẹlẹ́gẹ́ tí ó gbé ẹ̀mí kékeré kan tí ó rọ̀ sínú rẹ̀. Bí ẹni tí ó wọ̀ ọ́ bá ń rìn, ẹ̀mí inú rẹ̀ yóò máa mì, yóò sì máa mú ìró rírọ̀ tí ó dàbí ti agogo jáde. A ṣe àgbékalẹ̀ pendanti náà nípasẹ̀ àwòṣe díjítà, a sì fi fàdákà ṣe é nípasẹ̀ ọ̀nà ìdà-oníyẹ̀fun tí a ń pè ní lost-wax casting, lẹ́yìn náà ni a fi ọwọ́ parí rẹ̀, dán an, a sì kó o pọ̀ pẹ̀lú ìṣọ́ra. Ìwọ̀n iṣẹ́ náà jẹ́ mílímítà 20 lóròó, 40 nígùn àti 15 níjìn. A lo kòkòrò náà gẹ́gẹ́ bí àmì ààbò, ìyípadà àti ìfaradà, nígbà tí ẹ̀mí tí ń mì náà dúró fún ẹlẹgẹ́ àti èrò-inú.

The Recognition

About the Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Irin A' Design Award

Whispers Under Wings Pendanti Ẹ̀gbà Ọrùn jẹ́ olùborí Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Irin A' Design Award, ìdánimọ̀ olókìkí tí a fún àwọn àwòṣe tó dára tí wọ́n pàdé àwọn ohun tí iṣẹ́ àti ilé-iṣẹ́ nílò tí a retí láti ọ̀dọ̀ àwọn ẹ̀dá tí a ṣàwòṣe dáradára. Àwọn olùborí Irin ń fi ìjáfáfá ńlá, ìmọ̀ pàtó gíga, òye ògbóǹtarìgì àti agbára ìṣẹ̀dá àwọn olùṣẹ̀dá wọn hàn. A retí pé Whispers Under Wings Pendanti Ẹ̀gbà Ọrùn yóò jẹ́ ẹ̀dá tí a kà sí gidigidi, tí a gbóríyìn fún tí a sì nífẹ̀ẹ́, tó wúlò tó sì ní ìmúṣẹ̀dá tuntun. Àwòṣe tó borí Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Irin A' Design Award yìí ń kó àwọn ọ̀nà tó dára jùlọ ilé-iṣẹ́ jọ, ó sì ní àwọn ànímọ́ ìmọ̀-ẹ̀rọ tó péye tí a so mọ́ ìmọ̀ ṣíṣe àti ẹ̀bùn. A bọ̀wọ̀ fún Whispers Under Wings Pendanti Ẹ̀gbà Ọrùn nítorí ìfọ̀kànbalẹ̀ rẹ̀, a sì ṣàwòṣe rẹ̀ láti pèsè ìmúdára ìgbésí ayé tó ń ran ayé lọ́wọ́ láti di ibi tó dára jù.

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