2026

Design Awards Silver Winner - Danting Li

SparksGlo Horse Sugar Script Blind Box

Entrant

Danting Li

Category

Food - Limited Edition

Client's Name

SparksGlo LLC

Country / Region:

United States

Sugar painting, originating in the Ming Dynasty, is recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage of China. This gift set is designed for the 2026 Year of the Horse and creatively blends traditional sugar art with ancient Chinese character culture through a contemporary visual language. The box features a golden hoof motif, adding a luxurious and festive touch. While identical in appearance, each box contains one of eleven unique sugar paintings depicting the character “horse” rendered in different historical scripts: cursive, running, clerical, regular, seal, Wei stele, bamboo slip, oracle bone, bronze, Nüshu, and nine-fold seal script.

When stacked, the hoof-shaped boxes resemble glazed tiles on the roofs of ancient palaces. The packaging is both sturdy and elegant, with a custom inner tray precisely shaped for each script. A dedicated slot allows for easy removal. The blind-box format introduces an element of surprise and interactive enjoyment. During Year of the Horse celebrations, as loved ones exchange gifts, recipients cannot know which script lies inside until they open the box. Upon discovering the sugar painting, the recipient not only savors the sweetness of the candy but also appreciates the depth and continuity of Chinese culture embodied in this thoughtful gift.

Credits

Danting Li
SparksGlo LLC
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