Chord Hero's Maker Ukulele Set Wins Grand Prize at Prestigious Digital Ehon Award

A Harmony of Innovation: Traditional Craftsmanship Meets Digital Creativity

In a momentous achievement that bridges traditional craftsmanship with digital innovation, Chord Hero's beloved Maker Ukulele Set was awarded the Grand Prize at the 2022 Digital Ehon Award in Tokyo. This prestigious recognition celebrates the unique way our DIY ukulele kit transforms music education through digital storytelling and hands-on creativity.

Touching Hearts Across Generations

"This award represents more than just recognition of a product--it honors the countless moments of joy shared between parents and children, teachers and students, as they build, create, and make music together," said Anthony Chau, Co-Founder and CEO of Chord Hero. "We designed the Maker Ukulele Set to create meaningful bonds through the universal language of music, and we're deeply honored that the Digital Ehon Award committee has recognized this vision."

The ceremony, held on October 29, 2022 at the Digital Children's Book Fair in Tokyo, saw the Maker Ukulele Set triumph over a highly competitive field of more than 100 entries from across six continents. The global competition featured innovative digital creations from industry leaders in education technology, making this international recognition even more significant. Judges particularly praised the Maker Ukulele Set's seamless integration of physical craftsmanship and digital learning through the ChordVentures app.

A Bridge Between Tradition and Technology

The Digital Ehon Award celebrates digital expressions created for children that nurture imagination and creativity. The judges were particularly impressed with the innovative approach of the Maker Ukulele Set, with one jury member stating:

"By linking the world of real instruments and the app, it's nice to learn playing the ukulele and guitar, while having fun. Musicians, animals and landscapes that appear in the game of the app were drawn with retro 3D polygons and has a warm atmosphere. The idea of assembling a wooden kit, paint it with your favorite pattern, and make your own guitar or ukulele, are combining the fun of handmade is a new idea. I think it's a Digital Ehon that creates new joy that never existed before."

The committee highlighted how Chord Hero's Maker Ukulele Set exemplifies the core values of the award by:

- Creating meaningful connections between physical crafting and digital learning
- Fostering family bonds through collaborative creative experiences
- Respecting traditional musical craftsmanship while embracing modern technology
- Supporting environmental consciousness through its adopted tree program and packaging reuse

From Hong Kong to the World Stage

Since its launch, the Maker Ukulele Set has found its way into schools across Hong Kong, the UK, and the US, but this recognition from Japan--a country with deep appreciation for both craftsmanship and technological innovation--marks a significant milestone in Chord Hero's journey.

The award comes at a meaningful time as Chord Hero continues to expand its offerings with innovations like the Sandbox Experience Plus and the new Van Gogh Explorer Set, further demonstrating the company's commitment to making music learning both fun and meaningful.

Looking Forward: Harmony for Every Home

"In many Asian households, learning a musical instrument often comes with tremendous pressure to excel, turning what should be a joyful exploration into a stressful obligation," noted Mr. Chau. "With the Maker Ukulele Set, we've transformed the very first step of a musical journey--from intimidating to inviting, from obligation to celebration. When children build their own instruments, they build their own confidence."

With this prestigious recognition from the Digital Ehon Award, Chord Hero reaffirms its mission of making music learning fun and affordable for everyone, while creating meaningful connections between generations through the joy of creating and playing music together.

About Chord Hero

Founded in 2019, Chord Hero is dedicated to making music learning fun and affordable for everyone. From the Chord Hero Strummer to the award-winning Maker Ukulele Set, our products combine physical instruments with digital learning tools to create engaging, accessible music education experiences. Through our environmental initiatives and focus on STEAM education, we're committed to nurturing both creative minds and our planet.

About the Digital Ehon Award

Established in Tokyo, the Digital Ehon Award celebrates innovative digital content created for children. "Digital Ehon" refers to digital expressions designed specifically for young audiences, with the award aiming to foster meaningful encounters between children and digital media. Each year, the award recognizes the world's most exciting digital productions that nurture imagination and creativity.

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