Silver Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design · 2022
Kanji Posters Posters
- A' Design Award 2022 Silver Winner in Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design
- Awarded April 15, 2022
- CLIENT: Alice Zong Design
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 35,297
- Verification code 9A96DE49FF · Verify this award
About Kanji Posters Posters
The Kanji shapes and strokes represent the initial state and infinite existence of the surroundings. Inspired by the brushstrokes of Chinese calligraphy, the study of contextual ideas, the blend of styles, and cultural attention, the inclusive mentality of the spaces in between the shapes conferred by the strokes shows exquisite elegance and luxuriant cultural implications of Chinese calligraphy. Each poster is made out of a combination of the traditional Chinese element, bringing all the inspirations together and creating a unique, delicate Chinese style of impressionism.
Kanji Posters by ALICE XI ZONG engages with the rich tradition of East Asian calligraphic arts while simultaneously embracing the visual vocabulary of contemporary digital design, creating a compelling dialogue between heritage craft and modern communication aesthetics. The work demonstrates remarkable compositional intelligence in its orchestration of seemingly disparate elements: the expressive freedom of brush-applied characters, the mathematical precision of gradient color fields, and the systematic organization of typographic and geometric interface elements. The designer appears to explore questions of cultural transmission and visual translation, suggesting how traditional written forms might be recontextualized within contemporary media environments without losing their essential vitality. The central calligraphic character retains the dynamic energy of brush and ink traditions—the visible acceleration and deceleration of the marking gesture, the pooling of pigment at stroke terminations, the confident directional changes that animate the form—while existing alongside purely digital artifacts such as the luminescent sphere whose smooth gradient could only emerge from computational color mixing. The phrase "OUT OF FOCUS" introduces conceptual framing that may reference the perceptual experience of encountering unfamiliar writing systems, where meaning exists but remains visually accessible yet semantically elusive to certain viewers. This interplay between legibility and mystery, between form and content, invites contemplation of how visual communication transcends linguistic boundaries through aesthetic experience. The installation context shown—the work displayed as an illuminated panel against raw concrete—suggests consideration of how such designs function within architectural environments, transforming utilitarian spaces into sites of cultural encounter. How might this fusion of calligraphic heritage and digital design language suggest new possibilities for visual identity and cultural expression in global communication contexts?
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The Kanji strokes represent an initial state and an infinite existence of our surroundings. Inspired by Chinese Calligraphy strokes, the study of contextual ideas, blend of styles, and cultural attention. This exploration shows exquisite elegance and luxuriant cultural implications of Chinese calligraphy.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Width 10-inch x Height 10-inch posters
- Tags
- Typography, Poster Design, Illustration, Graphic design, Chinese Elements
- Production Technology
- After researching for the traditional Chinese elements, the designer translated and wrote the digital Kanji strokes in Adobe Illustrator, then created the layout which combine the Kanji strokes with the photography backgrounds in Adobe Photoshop & Adobe Lightroom CC.
- Design Challenge
- The challenge of this project is to keep the authenticity of the traditional Chinese calligraphy, Kanji strokes, and the visually pleasing modern design layout composition. To have a better understanding of the balance of both traditional & modern visual styles, the designer interviewed most of the calligraphers, collected their opinions and suggestions after several draft options, and finally came up with the best solution that could blend both styles well and show in the poster design.
- Project Duration
- The project was started in Nov 2021 in the U.S. and finished in Feb 2022.
- Operation Flow
- With the design concepts in mind, and with the translated calligraphy art Kanji strokes in photoshop, an experimental poster layout composition set started to developed, where each poster is made out of the combination of the traditional Chinese element, bringing all the inspirations together and creating a unique, delicate Chinese style of impressionistic, which shows exquisite elegance and luxuriant cultural implication of China to be applied throughout the entire brand visual materials and communication.
- Research
- The research included traveling back to China and visiting multiple cities, people & their families, learning about the authentic traditional Chinese Calligraphy and Kanji strokes.
- Inspiration
- Inspired by Chinese Calligraphy strokes, the study of contextual ideas, blend of styles, and cultural attention. This exploration shows exquisite elegance and luxuriant cultural implications of Chinese calligraphy.
- Image Credits
- Image #1: Designer/Creator Alice Xi Zong, Variations, 2022
Optional Image #1: Designer/Creator Alice Xi Zong, Variations, 2022
Optional Image #2: Designer/Creator Alice Xi Zong, Variations, 2022
Optional Image #3: Designer/Creator Alice Xi Zong, Variations, 2022
Optional Image #4: Designer/Creator Alice Xi Zong, Variations, 2022 - Patents
- Alice Xi Zong