As a Chinese-Filipino, I've been trained traditional Chinese calligraphy since I was 10. It was a meticulous art — stroke thickness and placement must align precisely to create good-looking characters. Ink usage and brush technique were also guided by specific rules. On top of that, every week, everybody in class was required to submit two pages of 32 Chinese characters total. This practice continued until I was 17.
9 years later, I find myself rediscovering a long-lost childhood activity through Chinese display type design. As Chinese is a pictorial language, I'm intrigued by how much meaning can be packed into just one to seven characters.
The designs showcased below are my attempts at delving into Chinese typography. You'll notice that the typeface itself conveys the intended meaning visually.
Through these Chinese type experiments, I have a twofold goal: first, to reconnect with my origins in crafting Chinese characters, and second, to blend them with my ongoing design approach. These projects are still ongoing, so stay tuned for more upcoming Chinese characters.
Growing up, I learned that Chinese characters adhere to strict forms. Any alteration is deemed incorrect. But what if Chinese characters could bend, break, or snap? What if their forms were extended or folded? This piece is my attempt in exploring that idea.
Reading "silk" in English, this character expresses the smooth and soft nature of the fabric.
Taking cues from the chunky platform shoes of the 70s and the letterforms of the Vienna Secession, this short and stout character exudes old school funk.
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As a Chinese-Filipino, I've been trained traditional Chinese calligraphy since I was 10. It was a meticulous art — stroke thickness and placement must align precisely to create good-looking characters. Ink usage and brush technique were also guided by specific rules. On top of that, every week, everybody in class was required to submit two pages of 32 Chinese characters total. This practice continued until I was 17.
9 years later, I find myself rediscovering a long-lost childhood activity through Chinese display type design. As Chinese is a pictorial language, I'm intrigued by how much meaning can be packed into just one to seven characters.
The designs showcased below are my attempts at delving into Chinese typography. You'll notice that the typeface itself conveys the intended meaning visually.
Through these Chinese type experiments, I have a twofold goal: first, to reconnect with my origins in crafting Chinese characters, and second, to blend them with my ongoing design approach. These projects are still ongoing, so stay tuned for more upcoming Chinese characters.
Growing up, I learned that Chinese characters adhere to strict forms. Any alteration is deemed incorrect. But what if Chinese characters could bend, break, or snap? What if their forms were extended or folded? This piece is my attempt in exploring that idea.
Reading "silk" in English, this character expresses the smooth and soft nature of the fabric.
Taking cues from the chunky platform shoes of the 70s and the letterforms of the Vienna Secession, this short and stout character exudes old school funk.
