Press Release
Chungsheng Chen, Enyang Chen and Wanyun Lo Receives the A' Design Award for PatchU Branding and Character IP Project in Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design
Chungsheng Chen, Enyang Chen and Wanyun Lo recognized for graphics, illustration and visual communication design by the international grand jury of the 2025 - 2026 A' Design Award & Competition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COMO, Italy, April 23, 2026 /DesignNewswire/ A' Design Award & Competition has announced that PatchU Branding and Character IP Project by Chungsheng Chen, Enyang Chen and Wanyun Lo, designed for Tainan University of Technology/Product Design Department, has been granted the A' Design Award in the Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design category. The recognition forms part of the 2025 - 2026 A' Design Award & Competition and was determined through blind peer review by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members, who evaluated anonymized entries against predetermined criteria.
The A' Design Award Explained
The Iron A' Design Award is awarded to good designs that meet the rigorous professional and industrial standards set by the A' Design Awards. This recognition is reserved for works that demonstrate a solid understanding of design principles and show creativity within their execution. Recipients of the Iron A' Design Award are acknowledged for their practical innovations and contributions to their respective fields, providing solutions that improve quality of life and foster positive change. These designs are a testament to the skill and dedication of their creators, showcasing their ability to address real-world challenges through thoughtful design.
Regarding PatchU Branding and Character IP Project
PatchU is a branding and character design project that turns leftover bedding fabrics into plush toys and lifestyle accessories. The fabrics are sorted by size, texture and tone, then sewn into simple companion figures using flexible patterns. Visible stitching and patchwork are kept as part of the brand identity, so each piece differs slightly from the next. Packaging and illustration explain the origin of the materials. The aim is to give surplus textiles new value and a warm place in everyday life.
About Chungsheng Chen, Enyang Chen and Wanyun Lo
Prof. ChungSheng Chen, a self-proclaimed "design missionary," possesses extensive experience in both design practice and education. He frequently expresses his perspectives on society through his work, blending an optimistic outlook, keen observation, and a deep emotional connection to life. His cross-disciplinary approach integrates various processing techniques and material applications, embodying a fundamental design philosophy.
Award Record
This recognition makes Chungsheng Chen, Enyang Chen and Wanyun Lo a winner of 32 A' Design Awards. The awards span the editions from 2016 - 2017 to 2025 - 2026 of the A' Design Award & Competition.
About the A' Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design Award
The A' Graphic Design Award is an international graphic design competition recognizing good graphic designs by best creative agencies and designers worldwide. The competition is organized within the A' Design Award & Competition and is open to graphic designers, communication designers, graphic artists and illustrators from all countries. Entries typically include logos, posters, infographics, brochures, packaging designs and business cards. Awarded graphic designs are published at https://dezigners.org/design-category/graphics
About A' Design Award & Competition
A' Design Award & Competition is an international, juried design accolade organized annually since 2008. The competition is open to entries from all countries. The A' Design Award has a philanthropic mission to advance society through good design by recognizing and promoting superior products, projects and services that benefit society, and by creating a global awareness and appreciation for good design practices and principles. Entries are peer reviewed and anonymously evaluated by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members against predetermined criteria such as functionality, ergonomics, engineering, presentation, innovation, usability, sustainability and technology, with score normalization applied to remove biases. Awards are conferred at Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron levels. The A' Design Prize granted to eligible laureates includes the award trophy, the certificate of design excellence, the hardcover yearbook, a lifetime license to use the A' Design Award winner logo, exhibition of awarded works, an invitation to the gala night and award ceremony in Italy, inclusion in the World Design Rankings and Designer Rankings, and public relations and publicity services. Registration, the upload of a work and the preliminary score are free of charge, and Professional and Digital Edition laureates are not contractually obliged to pay further fees to claim the A' Design Prize. Further information is available at https://competition.adesignaward.com
Press Resources
- Winner Page: https://dezigners.org/180916
- A' Design Award Page: https://competition.adesignaward.com/180916
- Media Showcase: https://www.designnewsroom.com/!180916
- Laureate Profile: https://dezigners.org/d/179403
Media Contact
Giulia Ferrari, Press Office
Designers.Org
Via Leone Leoni 32, 22100 Como, Italy
press@designers.org
+39 031 4491953
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Fact Sheet
The Work
- Project
- PatchU Branding and Character IP Project
- Function
- Branding and Character IP Project
- Category
- Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design
- Discipline
- Communication Design
- Industry
- Branding & Advertising and Arts
- Colors
- Black, Alice Blue, Gainsboro, Silver and Dim Gray
- Images
- 5
- Client
- Tainan University of Technology/Product Design Department
The Recognition
- Laureate
- Chungsheng Chen, Enyang Chen and Wanyun Lo
- Country
- Taiwan (China)
- Recognition
- A' Design Award
- Edition
- 2025 - 2026
- Design ID
- #180916
Credits
- Team
- ChungSheng Chen, EnYang Chen, WanYun Lo, TingYuan Lin, Tainan University of Technology/ Product Design Department, acdesign associates International Co.,Ltd and Caliphil Enterprise Co., Ltd.
- Image Credits
- Image#1~#5: acdesign associates International Co., Ltd.
Design Details
- Unique Properties
- A circular design brand that transforms leftover bedding fabrics into character IP series based plush toys and lifestyle accessories, establishing a new business model for company by converting surplus materials into value added products. Rather than focusing solely on material reuse, it highlights healing, companionship, and emotional value. Sewing traces and patchwork logic, and imperfect connections shape the visual identity, making each piece unique and sustainability part of everyday life.
- Inspiration
- The name is derived from patch, meaning repair and reconnection, reflecting the reuse of leftover bedding fabrics. The letter U represents you, linking the act of repair with the person being cared for. Beyond material regeneration, the name expresses emotional connection and companionship. It embodies sustainability, healing, and vitality, transforming repair into a gentle, human centered experience rooted in everyday life.
- Research
- PatchU approaches brand and product design by rethinking how leftover fabrics from the bedding manufacturing process can be transformed into everyday objects that people feel comfortable using, connecting with, and keeping as long-term companions. The brand treats these leftover materials as unfinished elements, giving them new roles and emotional meaning through patching, stitching, and reassembly. As the brand evolves, PatchU reflects on people’s expectations of healing, companionship, and everyday objects, translating these feelings into gentle forms, a recognizable visual system, and an approachable brand tone.
- Challenge
- The main challenge for PatchU was avoiding being perceived as merely an eco or recycled-material brand. Leftover fabrics are often associated with low value, making it difficult to build emotional connection and trust. In addition, variations in fabric size, color, and texture challenged product consistency. Rather than hiding these imperfections, PatchU embraced them as brand characteristics. Through patching, stitching, and a gentle visual language, the brand reframed difference as individuality, shifting attention from material origin to emotional companionship and redefining how circular brands are perceived.
- Realization and Technology
- PatchU is realized through existing bedding manufacturing capabilities, reintroducing leftover fabrics that cannot return to mass production as the brand’s core material. Fabrics are sorted by size, texture, and tone, then transformed into plush companion products using flexible patterns. Visible stitching and patchwork are intentionally preserved as brand features. Through small-batch making and manual adjustment, each piece retains natural variation, allowing production to reflect PatchU’s values of warmth, imperfection, and individuality while ensuring a consistent and authentic brand experience.
- Operation and Interaction
- PatchU collects leftover fabrics from bedding production and reorganizes them by texture and tone before redesigning them into simplified plush and companion products. Through patching and stitching, fabrics are transformed into warm, character-driven objects, with visible seams becoming part of the story. Interaction goes beyond use, as products are meant to be hugged, carried, and lived with. Through packaging and visual storytelling, PatchU helps users understand the meaning behind each piece, turning leftover materials into emotional connections and more meaningful everyday experiences.
- Project Duration and Location
- The PatchU brand was conceived and planned in November 2025, with the development of the overall brand direction and product concepts initiated at the same time. In January 2026, the design of the IP characters began, gradually completing character definition and visual expression. In February 2026, the PatchU trademark and related intellectual property were formally filed, establishing a foundation for brand identity and future applications.
- Keywords
- Branding, Circular Design, Upcycled Leftover, Plush Toy, Character IP Economy.
