Experimental Chinese Typography

It is hard to deny the importance of typography in Chinese culture. The complexity of shape, the choice of color and the meaning of the characters themselves are able to influence the message through the context. No wonder, it starts to be increasingly popular to use Chinese typography in design not only in China, but also abroad. 

Chinese typography is a source of inspiration for graphic designers that can be used to experiment with wordplay through language’s pictographs and sometimes the results are pretty amazing.

Experimental Chinese Typography 

Literally “杯具” means “cups and other containers”, but Chinese increasingly use it online as a replacement to “悲剧” that is pronounced same way, but means “tragic”.

Experimental Chinese Typography 

The expression “打酱油” means “get soy sauce” and refers to a popular internet meme with the meaning of “I was just passing by” and “None of my business”.

Experimental Chinese Typography 

The “悲催” is simplified version of obsolete “悲摧”, which means “sorrowful”, one of the other meanings is “out of luck”.

Experimental Chinese Typography 

The “腐女” stands for “tofu girl”, but it is also a slang word for “rotten woman”.

Experimental Chinese Typography 

Chinese singer Huang Xiaoming in the “One World, One Dream” sung English phrase “” Not at all” in a way that it was pronounced similarly to “闹大套” which sounds like the Chinese phrase "闹笑话" meaning “to make a fool of oneself.”. This made “Not at all” so popular that it led to a social boom in Chinese media and people started using this phrase, when they want to refer to “somebody who made a fool out of themselves”.

Experimental Chinese Typography

Grassroots is the direct translation of the“草根”, but used in slang refers to the ordinary people and low level of the organization/movement.

This art project is a perfect example to show how Chinese typography might be used in design. Pictographs not only refer to the materials used on the picture, but also indirectly point out on the hidden meaning and allow to explore the context of the visuals on numerous levels. It provides an infinite opportunities for it to be used in advertising in Asia or as a fresh twist in Western promotional campaign. And the last but not least it is eye pleasing as an element of the design.

What do you think of Chinese typography? Share your opinion with us below.

The Ultimate Guide to Smart Packaging

Consumer demands are growing, and therefore the initial functions of packaging such as protecting and preserving the product are no longer enough. Nowadays it has to offer additional value to help distinguish the product from the rivals offerings. Being one of the most essential parts of consumer’s first impression of the product it can enhance the experience of using the product considerably.

Let's have a look at the major trends in the smart packaging below:

Convenience

Ease of use is one of the key features that drives innovation, especially in the food industry. Portability, easy open and dispose, mess-free are noteworthy benefits that improve the quality of the product. 

The Ultimate Guide to Smart Packaging

South Korean industrial designer Yeongkeun Jeong came up with "Butter! Better!" concept, which is based on the idea of creating the package for easy single-serving. Disposable packaging balances convenience and neatness that is perfect for consumption-on-the-go.

The Ultimate Guide to Smart Packaging

Seedspoon adds an extra information function to the packaging with notes of how to plant the seed and take care of them. It's a remarkable example of designing the product based on consumer’s needs and usage, combining 3 products in 1 a seed package, lightweight wooden shovel, and gardening label. 

Sustainability

These days consumers are becoming increasingly more conscious of global environmental issues and this affects their buying habits accordingly. Ecological sustainability is no longer optional for the packaging as consumers are actively looking for businesses who are "going green", and offer Eco-conscious production.

The Ultimate Guide to Smart Packaging

This packaging, designed by Guo Lili for Trift toothpaste allows to use the product completely and prevents the waste of the remaining toothpaste. Consequentially it leads to waste minimization and promotes ethical consumption.

Added value to the business

Packaging can be used as an effective means of communication to point out the essence of the product and brand offering through its shape and function. Innovative design can effectively increase brand awareness, differentiate the product and provide brand identification. The pack might be used to enhance the value consumers place on the product and help to reinforce the branding.

The Ultimate Guide to Smart Packaging

Thelma's Treats use this simple yet effective packaging to communicate that their homemade cookies are "made fresh and delivered warm right out of the oven".

The Ultimate Guide to Smart Packaging

This fitting packaging was designed by Alex Creamer for spaghetti brand called NYC, that was supposed to represent one of the city's most iconic building.

There is a need for a brand to keep up with the changing needs of consumers and reflect this in the product. Consumer-oriented and creative packaging is powerful to draw customer’s attention to the product and even serve as a competitive advantage. But it is only one of the many ways in which brands can create a sharp increase in market share, customer satisfaction and profitability.

As you can see there is always room for improvement for something that already exists. You just have to think outside the box. Do you have any creative packaging ideas ?

Want to know more about how Mindsparkz can help your business to grow? Feel free to contact us.

Contemporary Chinese Architecture

The modern Chinese architecture combines a unique blend of traditional style and Western influence. In recent years, it starts to be more and more notable worldwide and for a good reason. Today we are going to go through selection of remarkable examples of Chinese contemporary architecture.

The over-water highway in Hubei province

It is one of its kind construction in the world, that was opened up last month and was meant to shorten commute between Shanghai and Chengdu. Uniqueness of this bridge is that it doesn't cross the river, but is built along it. One of the reasons behind it was to avoid cutting down the forest surrounding that area. 

The over-water highway

The Piano House in Huainan city, Anhui

This remarkable building was students' project from local architecture school and was built to draw interest to the city. The Piano House consists of two parts - the violin, made completely out of glass, that is used as grand entrance and the piano as main building. Inside it has numerous conference rooms and is used mainly as the venue for hosting art exhibitions or any other events.

The Piano House

Thames Town in Songjiang, near Shanghai

Thames Town resembles classical old English market style town and is a product of so-called 'copycat architecture' that is so popular in Middle Kingdom. Most of the architecture was directly copied from buildings found in different parts of England. Picturesque town has become one of the most popular locations for a wedding photography.

Thames Town

Galaxy Soho in Beijing

This retail, office and entertainment complex in Beijing was designed by Zaha Hadid, one of the most well-know woman architect in the world. Galaxy Soho is futuristic-looking building whose design was meant to "respond to the varied contextual relationships and dynamic conditions of Beijing," says Zaha Hadid. 

Galaxy Soho

Alibaba Headquarters in Hangzhou, Zhejiang

This building was built in 2009 to serve as headquarters for one of the leading companies in China. It was designed to combine as much of open space as possible to enhance the productivity of employees while keeping the informal atmosphere and encourage creativity. It is yet another great example of architecture that integrates contemporary and traditional elements in itself, such as garden networks that are typical for Hangzhou area and the sun shading screens that reflect Chinese ice-ray lattices used widely throughout the region.

Alibaba Headquarters

What do you think of Chinese architecture? Share your opinion with us below.