Chinese Calligraphy Poster/Book
For my final project in typography class, I created a book and a poster centered around cultural celebrations and traditions. My focus was on Chinese New Year and the art of calligraphy.
The poster design features quotes from individuals I interviewed, sharing how calligraphy has enriched their cultural celebrations. The text is carefully arranged to reflect their personal experiences and connection to tradition. On the bottom left of the poster, I incorporated the character 福 (Fu), symbolizing "fortune" and commonly displayed during Chinese New Year. The character is flipped to reflect the tradition of hanging it upside down, signifying that good fortune has arrived.
The Chinese characters woven into the design symbolize the theme of family reunions, a central aspect of the Chinese New Year celebration. This project allowed me to merge cultural storytelling with typography, showcasing the power of design in preserving and celebrating traditions.
Chinese Calligraphy Book
As part of this project, I also created a short book exploring the history of calligraphy and its significance during Chinese New Year celebrations. Using Adobe InDesign, I was able to effectively organize content and set up grids to align paragraphs, ensuring a clean and professional layout.
To enhance the book’s visual appeal, I taught myself basic calligraphy and incorporated my own work as visual aids. I practiced using traditional methods, such as the grinding stone technique, to connect with the art form's cultural roots and bring authenticity to the project. Furthermore, to add to the authenticity, I interviewed people in the Chinese community to help tell their story in their own unique perspective.
This experience not only strengthened my design and layout skills but also deepened my appreciation for the cultural and artistic value of calligraphy.
