OUT TO PLAY
Award-winning brand Pidan adds amusement to serious design.
s READ MOREAward-winning brand Pidan adds amusement to serious design.
s READ MOREIf your pooch already looks pretty darn cute while catching an afternoon nap, imagine them snoozing away in a plushy ‘pet nest’ shaped like an avocado. It’s this kind of amusing approach that has gained Shanghai-based brand Pidan a cult following since its launch in 2015. Founder Ma Wenfei first turned heads—or perhaps, tails—with an Igloo cat litter box, which picked up a Red Dot Design Award for its successful combination of form and function. The snow-white exterior exudes cleanliness, while a long corridor prevents litter from escaping.
Many of Pidan’s products place an emphasis on the playful: a rubber chew toy that looks like an apple core; emoji-clad bibs that prevent chest-wetting during mealtime; a ‘no cats’ flannel carpet for lounging pups. But, more often, the aesthetics push towards minimalism, streamlining everyday objects into items worthy of display. Still, each product has been carefully designed so that animals have a better living experience and humans “live with pets better.”
Wenfei’s commitment to comfort and safety garnered Pidan another accolade this year. The 2020 iF Design Award honoured the brand’s shock-absorbing lead, which uses geometric shapes in stretchy rubber to buffer the strain on everyone when your doggo decides to make a sudden move.
From a pliable silica block that gently cleans and massages paws to a travel water bottle with a detachable cup and built-in filter, it’s easy to use—and want to use—everything Pidan makes.
We are thrilled to introduce Dog-Friendly, a collection of city guides for dog-loving people, created together with our long-time contributor, photographer Winnie Au, and fellow enthusiasts, indie publisher Hoxton Mini Press. Available for purchase here.
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