Memories of Mukden Book

Press Kit

Unique Properties

These are books about the city's history and regional culture. There are eight volumes in total, the content is eight scenic spots in Mukden. Mukden is the birthplace of Chinese Qing culture and the capital of two generations of emperors, it has a profound cultural heritage. Therefore, the book uses the folding form of ancient Chinese binding, materials are rice paper, copper, brocade. The appearance of the book is a palace lantern, which meaning that a lamp illuminates the memory of history.

Dimensions & Packaging

Books in the design of interactivity, display and assembly fun. There are a total of eight books, each volume introduces a place of historical interest, each volume size is 80mm wide × 200mm long × 20mm thick. As the book is bound by folding, the size of the expanded page is 800mm wide × 200mm long. The books were assembled together in a metal frame to form an octagonal palace lantern, the physical size is 360mm high and 180mm in diameter.

Tags

city history, regional culture, Mukden, Qing Culture, palace lantern, bind in folding form, rice paper, metal craft, assembly interest and interactivity, artistic

Production Technology

Books are made of rice paper, special paper, copper metal, brocade and so on. Manufacturing processes include laser printing, metalworking, indentation, and folding loading. In layout design, the page uses flat graphics, illustration and light gray tones. The software being used are Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop.

Design Challenge

First of all, the most difficult part of the design is the accurate expression, integrating the form of the book, the way of binding, the use of materials and the communication of content. Secondly, in the layout design, how to skillfully combine modern elements with historical culture. Finally, digital illustrator drawing places of interest is also a challenge.

Project Duration

The project began in January 2020 and was completed in China in June 2020.

Operation Flow

Interactivity is reflected in the browsing process. First, books are collected in metal shelves as they are folded and placed, they are combined into an octagonal palace lantern. Secondly, the book is used by the fold binding, reading can be partial or all spread out, the layout in the change to form a lot of continuous space. Whether it's closed or opened, it will have different interactions with the fingers. This book has artistic, interactive, display and collection value.

Research

The purpose is to redesign the regional culture. Data are gathered from field surveys, interviews, books and online searches. The digital illustration, information graphics and words are not just in these books, but also make motion graphics. They will be used in web pages, e-books, etc. It adds commercial value of books, paper books and digital media coexist. Socially, it promotes the preservation of the city's history. In design, it promotes the multi-dimensional development of books.

Inspiration

First of all, the preservation of urban history and regional culture is an important background factor for book design. Secondly, the research on ancient Chinese books has given a lot of technical support to the project. Third, with the development of the media, physical books should constantly enhance its artistic and collectable. Finally, the integration of heritage, history, geography and aesthetics is the inspiration for launching the project.

Image Credits

Yiting Cui, Na An

Colors of Memories of Mukden Book

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