Origami Mask 口罩 by Yuriko Wada is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2021 A' Design Award 銀獎 in 配飾設計 Competition Category.

銀配飾· 2021

Origami Mask 口罩

by Yuriko Wada

Client: Paper Parade Inc.

A' Design Award 銀獎 Winner in 配飾 Category

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Colors

The Design

About Origami Mask 口罩

摺紙口罩係一款專為婚禮同典禮等特別場合而設計嘅口罩。呢款口罩用一張日本和紙製成，運用摺紙技術摺疊而成，無需膠水或縫線。和紙提供質感同透氣度。金箔裝飾住褶位，令口罩成為一件正式配飾，而唔止係單純嘅必需品。口罩摺埋時扁平而細巧，當兩端拉開時就會形成一個圓拱形，喺口部周圍營造出空間。摺好嘅口罩可以放入請柬入面，用餐時亦可以收返入包裝袋度。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 銀獎

Origami Mask 口罩是 A' Design Award 銀獎得主，這是授予頂級、華美而令人印象深刻的設計的極為崇高的認可。銀獎得主是極其卓越、極具創造力的作品，展現出其設計師傑出的專業技能、才華與敏銳。預計Origami Mask 口罩將成為一件出色的典範之作，兼具非凡的專業性與深刻的創新性。這件贏得 A' Design Award 銀獎的設計是一項備受矚目、令人欽佩的發明，造福並拓展藝術、科學、設計和技術的界限。Origami Mask 口罩是一件令人羨慕的創作，它喚起渴望，帶來積極的情感，並激發驚嘆與讚嘆。

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: This project was inspired by the traditional origami technique of folding a single sheet of paper and the functionality of washi paper, with its texture and breathability, a technique and material born in Japan. This origami mask is a project that combines two traditional elements that are familiar to Japanese people: washi and origami.
Dimensions & Packaging: package：M(170mmx2mmx50mm) L(123mmx2mmx59mm )
mask：M(125mmx90mmx105mm)L(150mmx100mmx125mm)
Tags: fashion, japanese paper, origami, mask, traditional
Production Technology: Instead of gluing or sewing, it was designed to form a three-dimensional dome using the technique of origami, which involves folding a single sheet of paper. The design makes the most of the charm and functionality of the material, such as the texture and breathability of Japanese paper.
The mask is compact when packaged, but when it is used as a mask, it expands into a dome shape when both ends are pulled to create a space around the mouth.
Design Challenge: Mass production was difficult because of the complicated manual processing involved. By establishing a rule that the creases where the gold leaf is applied are the mountain folds and those where the gold leaf is not applied are the valley folds, the work process became visible and work efficiency improved, and mass production was successfully achieved.
Research: As a social change after the spread of the new corona infection, it has become customary to wear a mask. The same applies to "special occasions" such as weddings and other celebratory occasions, tea ceremonies, flower arrangement, and theater performances. Special masks for "special occasions" have never existed before. In our research, we discovered this need and tried to design an "etiquette for special occasions" as an origami mask.
Inspiration: It is becoming customary to wear masks in all situations where they meet people. This is also true for "special celebrations" such as weddings. By decorating the folds with gold leaf, this mask has been designed as a "tool for attire" suitable for special occasions, rather than something to be worn out of necessity. In cooperation with the washi production area, we created variations in the design to match the different functions and textures of the materials in different production areas.
Project Duration: The project began around May 2020 with talks with production areas and factories, and was launched in November 2020.
In January 2021, they were distributed at a coming-of-age celebration in a washi production area.
Operation Flow: When opened by holding both ends, it becomes dome-shaped. When opened, the mask is large, but when folded, it becomes small and compact. The compactness of the mask allows it to be enclosed in invitations for weddings and other parties.
From the viewpoint of infection prevention, the mask can be folded and stored in the package at meals and other occasions to keep the table clean, and people will not have to worry about where to put the mask.
Team Members: Art Director:Atsushi Morita
Designer:Yuriko Wada
Japanese Paper Manufacturing:Hidaka Co,. Ltd.
Manufacturing:Cosmotech Inc.
Image Credits: Photographer: Yusuke Tsuchida, Model:Nui