Memento: A Tribute to Professions Through Letter Openers

Bryan Leung's Award-Winning Design Reflects Occupations and Expresses Gratitude

The inspiration behind Memento is deeply personal. Leung wanted to express his gratitude to his father and his profession. This sentiment evolved into a realization that many people around the world share similar emotions towards their occupations. The result is a collection of letter openers that not only serve a practical purpose but also act as symbolic keepsakes, connecting the image and experience of various professions.

Each Memento piece is unique, reflecting a different occupation through product semantics and simple imagery. For instance, the Wrench Memento incorporates the gesture of turning fasteners when opening an envelope, while the Chisel Memento requires several cuts to open the envelope, mimicking a craftsman's strokes. The Barber Shear Memento supports the user's finger for a comfortable grip, similar to how a hairdresser holds barber shears. These thoughtful designs provide users with a unique and touching experience.

Memento's realization technology involves various materials, including stainless steel, aluminum, silicon, and Taiwan cypress for the case. The technical specifications vary for each letter opener, reflecting the distinct characteristics of the professions they represent. From the Barber's opener measuring 160*25*5mm to the Gardener's at 140*30*10mm, each piece is meticulously designed and crafted.

One of the challenges Leung faced during the design process was to balance the abstract and concrete aspects of each profession. He aimed to find the overlapping parts of universal definitions of every occupation and exclude parts that could be too different, ensuring that workers from all fields could resonate with the designs. This required extensive research and a deep understanding of various occupations.

In conclusion, Bryan Leung's Memento is a unique blend of art, design, and sentiment. It's not just a series of letter openers; it's a tribute to various professions and a way to express gratitude. The design's success is evident in its recognition with the Platinum A' Design Award, which acknowledges world-class, exceptional, and highly innovative designs. Memento truly embodies the spirit of this award, pushing the boundaries of design and offering a unique, heartfelt experience to its users.