The Design Story Behind Mahjong Together

The Design Story Behind Mahjong Together

How We Reimagined a Classic Game for Modern Families

When we set out to create Mahjong Together, we weren’t just making a new version of a beloved game — we were reimagining how families experience it together.

We wanted to preserve everything that makes mahjong timeless — the sound, rhythm, and meaning — while making it approachable for little hands and young minds.

Every design decision, from the material of the tiles to the artwork printed on them, was made with care, intention, and deep respect for tradition.

Here’s how those choices came together to create a game that’s both culturally authentic and joyfully kid-friendly.

 

 

🀄 A Game Rooted in Tradition, Reimagined for Families

For generations, mahjong has been a symbol of connection — a game that brings families and friends to the table.

But mahjong can feel intimidating for beginners. The characters, symbols, and scoring systems take time to learn, and most sets are designed for experienced adults.

We wanted to change that.

Our goal was simple but powerful:

To make learning mahjong accessible for families — without losing the beauty and cultural depth that make it special.

That vision guided every design choice we made.

 

 

🪵 The Warmth of Wood: A Sensory Connection to Tradition

We chose wood as the primary material for our tiles because it captures the tactile essence of mahjong — the satisfying clack of tiles, the warmth in your hands, and the natural rhythm of play.

Historically, mahjong tiles were made from wood, bone, and bamboo, giving them a texture that felt alive. As materials modernized, many sets shifted to acrylic or melamine — sleek, but cold and slippery, especially for little hands.

By returning to sustainably-sourced pinewood, we kept the sensory experience authentic while making the tiles lighter and safer for children to handle.

It’s warm, natural, and durable — ready for years of family play and discovery.

Set of colorful wooden Mahjong tiles with beautiful modern designs for kids and families

 

🎨 Playful, Vibrant Illustrations Designed for Learning

We knew that for children to fall in love with mahjong, they needed to see it differently.

So we reimagined the traditional iconography through playful, modern illustrations — colorful enough to engage children, yet faithful to the meaning and structure of the original Chinese designs.

Each tile was intentionally designed to:

  • Preserve cultural accuracy — keeping the core suits of Bamboo, Coins, and Characters easily recognizable for experienced players.

  • Enhance pattern recognition — using bright, distinguishable colors and simplified forms to help children identify suits and numbers quickly.

  • Spark curiosity and joy — with designs that feel friendly and inviting, turning learning into play.

We didn’t simplify mahjong — we made it approachable. Our illustrations are a bridge between cultural authenticity and playful learning.

These small visual choices transform mahjong from something intimidating into something children can confidently explore alongside parents and grandparents.

 

 

🧠 Designed for Leveled Learning

Another key part of our design philosophy was building progressive levels of play into the set — so families could learn together, step by step.

Rather than starting with all 144 tiles, Mahjong Together introduces the game gradually:

  1. Level 1–2: Tile recognition and matching — learning suits, colors, and symbols.

  2. Level 3–4: Building simple sets (Pungs, Chows, and pairs).

  3. Level 5: Advancing to full Chinese-style gameplay.

This progressive system encourages learning through play, allowing children to develop focus, memory, and logic — while giving parents and grandparents meaningful ways to teach and connect.

 

 

🌏 Honoring the Past While Creating for the Future

Every detail of Mahjong Together — from the magnetic box to the illustrated guidebook — was inspired by one guiding principle: to honor the game’s heritage while keeping it alive for a new generation.

We didn’t just want to reproduce tradition — we wanted to continue it.

By combining authentic design elements with modern materials, we created a set that celebrates culture as something evolving, joyful, and shared.

The design of Mahjong Together is our love letter to the families who want their children to feel proud of where they come from — and excited to play their way into belonging.

family playing mahjong together across generations

 

🪷 Key Design Principles

  • Cultural Integrity: Preserving the original suits and symbols of Chinese-style Mahjong.

  • Playful Learning: Using vibrant illustrations to support recognition, focus, and memory.

  • Tactile Warmth: Choosing FSC-certified wood for a natural, safe, and sensory experience.

  • Family-Centered Design: Leveled gameplay that grows with your child’s understanding.

  • Timeless Aesthetic: Beautiful enough to display, durable enough to play every day.

 

✨ About Mahjong Together

Created by Bo & Mei, Mahjong Together is the first family-friendly Mahjong set designed to help children, parents, and grandparents learn and play together. Every detail — from the warm wooden tiles to the playful, culturally rooted illustrations — was thoughtfully crafted to make cultural connection hands-on, meaningful, and fun.

See all articles in Articles