Press Release
Yin Yi Hu Branding Design by Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts Receives the A' Design Award in Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design
Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts 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 22, 2026 /DesignNewswire/ A' Design Award & Competition has announced that Yin Yi Hu Branding Design by Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts 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 assessed anonymized entries against predetermined criteria.
About the A' Design Award
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.
More About Yin Yi Hu Branding Design
Yin Yi Hu is a brand identity and packaging design created for a contemporary gin. The design translates the folk art of Yichuan paper cutting into a geometric visual system applied to the logo, the label and the packaging. The motifs are built on a parametric grid and align into a complete symbol when the bottle is held upright. The bottle holds 500 ml and is made of high clarity flint glass. Labels are printed by offset with matte lamination and selective varnish. The intent is to connect the cultural heritage of the Yellow River with modern design.
About Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts
Born in Xi'an, Shaanxi in November 1982, graduated from the Animation Department of Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts in July 2005, and obtained a Bachelor's degree. In July 2008, graduated from the Interior Design Department of Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts and obtained a Master's degree, and remained at the school to teach. A member of the Shaanxi Design Arts Committee. International Awards: In 2006, three poster works, "FIGHTFLU-Protectyourself, Protectthem," were successfully shortlisted for the "FIGHTFLU" (Protect Health and Fight the Flu) poster competition hosted by the Public Relief Bureau of Paris, France, with one of them winning the Grand Prize.
Award Record
This recognition makes Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts a winner of 1 A' Design Award.
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. It is organized within the A' Design Award & Competition and is open to graphic designers, communication designers, graphic artists and illustrators from all countries. Typical entries include logos, posters, infographics, brochures, packaging designs and business cards. The awarded graphic designs are published at https://desingers.org/design-category/graphics
About A' Design Award & Competition
Organized annually since 2008, A' Design Award & Competition is an international, juried design accolade. The competition is open to entries from all countries. The philanthropic mission of the A' Design Award is 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. Nominations are peer reviewed and evaluated anonymously 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. Eligible laureates receive the A' Design Prize, which 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, uploading a work and receiving a 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. More information is available at https://competition.adesignaward.com
Press Resources
- Winner Page: https://desingers.org/181802
- A' Design Award Page: https://competition.adesignaward.com/181802
- Media Showcase: https://www.designnewsroom.com/!181802
- Laureate Profile: https://desingers.org/d/353321
- Further Information from the Laureate: https://reurl.cc/laE8Lv
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
- Yin Yi Hu Branding Design
- Function
- Branding Design
- Category
- Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design
- Discipline
- Communication Design
- Industry
- Branding & Advertising and Arts
- Colors
- Brown, Crimson, Saddle Brown, Black and Sienna
- Images
- 5
The Recognition
- Laureate
- Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts
- Country
- China
- Recognition
- A' Design Award
- Edition
- 2025 - 2026
- Design ID
- #181802
Credits
- Team
- Lan Ma, Guangyi Tang, Yinghua Wang, Lianfa Xu, Wanhui Huang, Jinyuan Zhang, Xinyan Shen, Wenjie Zhong and Aiwen Shen
- Image Credits
- Designers Ma Lan and Jinyuan Zhang (Product Designer / Visual Designer), Zhanlu Sweet and Moisturizing Tea Main Packaging, 2026.; Designers Wang Yinghua and Huang Wanhui (Illustrator / Graphic Designer), Botanical and Han Inspired Illustration Series, 2026.; Designers Xu Lianfa, Xinyan Shen and Tang Guangyi (Packaging Engineer / Visual Designer), Light Luxury Gift Box Structure and Visual System, 2026.; Designers Ma Lan, Wang Yinghua, Wenjie Zhong, Aiwen Shen and Huang Wanhui (Product Designer / Illustrator / Graphic Designer), Ingredient Visualization and Cultural Motif Development, 2026.; Designers Ma Lan, Tang Guangyi, Xu Lianfa (Product Designer / Visual Designer / Packaging Engineer / Design Coordination), Integrated Packaging and Structural Realization, 2026.
Design Details
- Unique Properties
- Yinyi Hu is a contemporary brand rooted in the cultural heritage of the Yellow River. It transforms the traditional art of Yichuan paper cutting into a refined geometric visual system expressed through its logo, packaging, and brand environment. Unlike conventional gin brands, it integrates regional storytelling with modern aesthetics. Its strength lies in turning intangible cultural heritage into a distinctive, premium identity that unites craftsmanship, culture, and contemporary design.
- Inspiration
- The project was inspired by the cultural heritage of the Yellow River, particularly the folk art of Yichuan paper cutting. I aimed to transform traditional cultural symbols into a contemporary beverage brand that integrates taste and visual experience. My motive was to create a cultural carrier that connects tourism with local identity, allowing consumers to experience regional culture through modern design and packaging.
- Research
- Cultural and design driven applied research. Research Objectives: To translate Yellow River heritage into a contemporary gin identity. Methodology: Visual analysis and iterative prototyping. Data Collection and Research Tools Used: Field studies, archival review, sketches and digital modeling. Participants or Experiments: Designers and local cultural references. Results: A coherent visual and structural system. Insights and Impacts: Heritage can drive premium branding. Effect: Strengthened cultural value in business and design practice.
- Challenge
- The primary challenge was translating profound Yellow River cultural symbolism into a contemporary gin brand without falling into superficial decoration. Historically and socially, the risk lay in misinterpreting intangible heritage or reducing it to visual ornament. Externally, constraints included alcohol packaging regulations, production tolerances, material limits, and cost control. Balancing cultural authenticity, premium positioning, structural feasibility, and scalable manufacturing required continuous refinement and cross disciplinary coordination.
- Realization and Technology
- The visual system was developed through parametric grid construction and modular geometric reduction derived from Yichuan paper cutting motifs. Vector based refinement ensured scalability across formats. Packaging utilizes CMYK plus spot color offset printing with high density inks, combined with matte lamination and selective UV varnish to enhance contrast. Structural packaging prototypes were tested using digital mockups and 3D render validation prior to mass production.
- Operation and Interaction
- The Design is designed for an intuitive and engaging experience. The bottle opens with a smooth twist cap and a controlled pour neck to ensure precise serving. The visual system guides interaction, as the geometric motifs align when the bottle is held upright, creating a complete cultural symbol. The structured gift box unfolds in layers, revealing the bottle gradually, enhancing anticipation. This layered interaction elevates ritual, strengthens brand memory, and creates a refined tasting experience.
- Project Duration and Location
- The project commenced in March 2025 in Xi'an, China, and was completed in January 2026 in Xi'an. All phases, including cultural research on Yellow River heritage, concept development, visual system construction, packaging engineering, prototyping, and production supervision, were carried out locally. The final outcome was prepared for professional presentation and industry exhibition in 2026.
- Specifications
- Bottle capacity 500 ml. Bottle dimensions 75 mm x 75 mm x 230 mm. Glass thickness 3.5 mm, high clarity flint glass. Aluminum screw cap 30 mm diameter with tamper evident seal. Label 210 mm x 90 mm, 120 gsm coated art paper with matte lamination and selective UV. Secondary carton 160 mm x 80 mm x 260 mm, 350 gsm FSC certified board. Transport carton 400 mm x 330 mm x 280 mm, double wall corrugated board.
- Keywords
- Yellow River Culture, Contemporary Gin, Cultural Branding, Packaging Design, Yichuan Paper Cutting, Geometric Visual System, Premium Spirits, Heritage Innovation
