Joyful Color: A Sustainable Innovation in Children's Art

Lu Yi and Yuxuan Miao's Award-Winning Reusable Colored Pens

In a world increasingly aware of the environmental impact of waste, designers Lu Yi and Yuxuan Miao have created a sustainable solution for children's art supplies. Their design, Joyful Color, is a set of reusable colored pens that double as toys, promoting creativity and environmental consciousness.

Lu Yi and Yuxuan Miao were inspired by the pollution caused by plastic waste. They aimed to design a product that encourages secondary utilization, leading to the creation of Joyful Color. The product combines the structure of a pen with the concept of reusability, making it a unique addition to the market of children's art supplies.

What sets Joyful Color apart from other designs is its sustainable use of recycled plastic pen shells. The pen shells can be reused as children's toys, allowing children to create three-dimensional works after painting. This not only exercises their hands-on abilities but also enhances their spatial imagination. The design is an exploration of sustainable use, recycling, and creativity.

The realization of Joyful Color involves the transformation of the plastic color pen shell's function through secondary use. The pen can be easily disassembled, and the parts can be freely assembled using the interspersed structure. This design encourages children to engage in creative fun interaction, painting, and puzzle-solving, all while using recycled plastic.

The Joyful Color project started in Shenyang in September 2020 and was completed in January 2021. It was exhibited in the Art Museum of China syid Design Institute in the same month. The design is a result of extensive research into children's natural inclination towards drawing and playing, and the desire to promote intellectual development while bringing joy to children.

In recognition of its innovative design and sustainable approach, Joyful Color was awarded Silver in A' Baby, Kids and Children's Products Design Award in 2021. The Silver A' Design Award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that exhibit outstanding expertise and innovation. Joyful Color, with its strong technical characteristics and splendid artistic skill, certainly fits the bill.

In conclusion, Joyful Color is a testament to the possibilities of sustainable design. It not only provides a solution to plastic waste but also promotes creativity and intellectual development in children. Lu Yi and Yuxuan Miao's design is a shining example of how innovation can lead to a more sustainable and creative future.


Project Details and Credits

Project Designers: Lu Yi
Image Credits: Lu Yi
Project Team Members: Lu Yi Yuxuan Miao Guanlan Guo Siyu Ma Sibo Chen Jingyi Lu Yichen Xu Kang Wei
Project Name: Joyful Color
Project Client: Lu Yi


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