Interview about Big Dream Visual Design, winner of the A' Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design Award 2023
This visual design pays tribute to Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with a blend of traditional and modern styles that captures the essence of classic Chinese art. Nuanced brushstrokes showcase the beauty and depth of this art form. The study exhibits a balance of sophistication and cultural significance that is synonymous with Chinese calligraphy, highlighting its relevance to Asian culture. The design language is timeless, merging art and design to connect to the beauty of the past while forging a path towards the future, in celebration of the Asian Pacific American culture.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsMy design for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month stems from a deep connection to my Chinese heritage and a desire to celebrate cultural identity through modern expression. Growing up with calligraphy as a symbol of tradition and storytelling, I fused its elegance with digital techniques to bridge past and present. This fusion reflects my journey of honoring my roots while embracing innovation, showcasing how tradition can evolve to inspire and connect diverse audiences today.
Working with master calligraphers in China deeply influenced my approach, teaching me the discipline and fluidity behind each brushstroke. Their insights into the balance, rhythm, and cultural meaning of calligraphy guided my efforts to maintain authenticity. By integrating these traditional techniques with contemporary digital tools, I translated the essence of calligraphy into a modern context, ensuring the design preserves its cultural depth while resonating with today’s audiences.
The Kanji symbol for “Dream” was chosen for its universal resonance and profound cultural significance. It embodies aspiration, perseverance, and hope—values deeply rooted in Asian Pacific American heritage. As a designer, it reflects my artistic vision of blending tradition with modernity, while also symbolizing the collective dreams of a diverse community. This character serves as a bridge, honoring cultural identity and inspiring future generations to embrace their heritage with pride.
Translating traditional calligraphic movements into digital strokes posed challenges in preserving the fluidity and texture of brushwork. Capturing the subtle variations in pressure and stroke weight required extensive experimentation with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop tools like custom brushes and vector paths. Ensuring authenticity while achieving scalability and precision demanded balancing manual adjustments with digital automation. The process ultimately deepened my respect for both traditions and technology.
The 10-inch by 10-inch format was chosen for its balanced, square composition, which mirrors the harmony of traditional calligraphy and modern design grids. This intimate scale invites viewers to engage closely with the intricate details of the brushwork, creating a personal connection. The compact dimension enhances the visual impact by focusing attention on the calligraphic elements’ rhythm and flow, making the design both approachable and deeply immersive.
Navigating this balance required deep respect for the traditions of Chinese calligraphy while allowing room for personal expression. I studied its historical techniques and meanings to ensure authenticity, then used modern tools and methods to reimagine it for a contemporary context. By embracing bold compositions, innovative digital textures, and a minimalist aesthetic, I honored its cultural roots while infusing my vision, creating a dialogue between past and present that resonates with modern audiences.
During my travels to China, I was struck by the dynamic interplay between tradition and modernity in contemporary calligraphy. Master calligraphers emphasized how each stroke carries emotional weight and cultural storytelling, which reshaped my approach to balance form with meaning. I also discovered the importance of negative space in traditional layouts, inspiring me to integrate this concept into the digital composition. These insights ensured the final design was both authentic and innovative.
The decision to integrate photography backgrounds with calligraphic elements was driven by a desire to create depth and context for the design. I carefully selected backgrounds that reflected natural textures and landscapes tied to cultural heritage, such as ink-like water patterns or earthy tones reminiscent of traditional paper. These elements were layered to harmonize with the calligraphy, enhancing its visual impact while symbolizing the connection between nature, culture, and artistic expression.
Receiving the Silver A’ Design Award for Big Dream Visual Design reinforces my passion for blending cultural heritage with digital innovation. This recognition inspires me to delve deeper into exploring global traditions and finding contemporary ways to honor and reinterpret them. It motivates me to push creative boundaries, foster cross-cultural understanding, and continue creating meaningful designs that celebrate the richness of cultural identities in a modern context.
A pivotal moment came during a consultation with a master calligrapher in mid-2022. Their insight into the emotional weight of each stroke and the importance of negative space completely shifted my perspective. This led me to rework the composition, emphasizing balance and harmony between the calligraphy and modern digital elements. Integrating this understanding elevated the design, transforming it from a simple cultural homage into a powerful, award-winning visual narrative.
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