Chalk Pebbles
Stationery for Xiamen University of Technology
It is inspired by naturally shaped riverbed pebbles, embracing nature as a teaching tool. Each piece features irregular textures and vibrant color layers created from natural vegetable based pigments. With seven different hardness levels, it allows children to explore tactile sensations and uncover hidden colors. When moistened, Chalk Pebbles also functions as watercolor paint, encouraging creative expression. This design reconnects children with nature, offering a poetic, low tech, sensory rich experience in the digital age.
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Download Press Kit № 170541 Stationery for Xiamen University of Technology by Rui Huang to access high-res images, essential texts, translations, and exclusive interviews—all in one.
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Chalk Pebbles by Rui Huang
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Stationery by Rui Huang
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Rui Huang Chalk Pebbles
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Rui Huang Stationery
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Xiamen University of TechnologyBrand Logo
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Unique Properties
Chalk Pebbles is designed with the concept of nature as a teaching tool, inspired by the natural shapes of riverbed pebbles. Each piece features irregular textures and vibrant color bands made from vegetable-based pigments. With seven hardness levels, children can explore tactile gradients, revealing hidden color layers. The chalk also doubles as a watercolor medium when moistened. Chalk Pebbles reconnects children with nature in a poetic way, offering low-tech, high-sensory interaction in the digital age.
Tags
Stationery, natural materials, tactile experience, fine motor skills, children's development, eco-friendly design, sensory play, educational tools, hand-eye coordination, creative exploration
Production Technology
The components of this product are edible fruit and vegetable powders. The pebbles are made using a molding process with food-safe materials, combining starch and powdered pigments for adjustable hardness.
Design Challenge
The biggest challenge lies in the ratio of product ingredients, because different color simulations, surface textures, and hardness are required, so multiple tests are needed to optimize the user experience.
Project Duration
The project runs from March 2024 to February 2025 in Xiamen, China
Operation Flow
Paint directly onto rough surfaces. Break apart and paint onto rough surfaces. Smudge painted areas with a wet brush for a watercolor effect. Use Chalk Pebbles or break them apart for free-building play.
Research
Chalk Pebbles reimagines traditional chalk through nature-inspired design, combining edible vegetable pigments and riverbed pebble morphology to create a multi-sensory chalk for children. Through naturalistic observation, material testing, and questionnaire from 28 users，Open-ended interactions deepen children’s connection to ecological cycles. Future work will scale the play-learn-renew model to broader sustainability education contexts.
Inspiration
Bring the pebble elements of nature indoors to arouse curiosity and closeness to nature in educational scenes. The unique texture and color changes of natural pebbles are retained in shape and material, allowing children to directly feel the beauty of nature through playing. Environmentally friendly, edible raw materials and degradable packaging are used, which are friendly to the environment and concerned about children's safety.
Image Credits
Image #1: Designer Rui Huang, ChalkPebbles, 2025. Image #2: Designer Rui Huang, ChalkPebbles, 2025. Image #3: Designer Rui Huang, ChalkPebbles, 2025. Image #4: Designer Rui Huang, ChalkPebbles, 2025. Image #5: Designer Rui Huang, ChalkPebbles, 2025. Video Credits: Designer Rui Huang, ChalkPebbles, 2025.
Project Overview
Chalk Pebbles Stationery has been a Bronze winner in the Art and Stationery Supplies Design award category in the year 2024 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Bronze A' Design Award is given to outstanding designs that showcase a high degree of creativity and practicality. It recognizes the dedication and skill of designers who produce work that stands out for its thoughtful development and innovative use of materials and technology. These designs are acknowledged for their professional execution and potential to influence industry standards positively. Winning this award highlights the designer's ability to blend form and function effectively, offering solutions that enhance people's lives and wellbeing.
Bronze Recognition
Rui Huang was recognized with the coveted Bronze A' Design Award in 2025, a testament to excellence of their work Chalk Pebbles Stationery.
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