jenwei huang's monochromatic posters spotlight the unique expression of chinese characters

jenwei huang modernizes the ideography of chinese characters 

integrating modern aesthetics with technology and cultural heritage, designer jenwei huang reimagines the unique expression of chinese characters through black-and-white posters. this project also spotlights how ‘chinese characters are ideographic and one of the world’s four most ancient forms of indigenous written language systems. in fact, it is the only such system that has been in continuous use till today,’ explains the designer. 

based on the kangxi dictionary – the most comprehensive dictionary of chinese characters published in 1716 – the designer created a series of 51 artworks with thousands of glyphs inspired by the 214 chinese radicals and formed from the 18,046 characters selected by computer learning. 

heart #208 xin (s)

articulating the emotional layer of chinese writing

jenwei huang’s ‘heart’ motifs, particularly, combine 525 characters layered on top of one another, with each character visibly containing either of the two ‘xin’ radicals. ‘xin means ‘heart’ in chinese and, in the series, it represents the emotional aspect of writing, since even individual ideographic chinese characters can express moods, traits and aspirations. although a common human experience, this form of expression is uniquely chinese,’ reveals the designer. 

the project is the recipient of 5 awards, and appeared in two biennales and one triennial. it was also featured in the asia-pacific design (APD) no. 13 book. 

gate #153 men

heart #528 xin (n)

walk #126 zou

roof #159 mian

project info:

name: hanzi gong
designer: jenwei huang (behance) 

client: the beauty of chinese characters, beijing, china 

printing: colonel printing co., ltd. 

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lea zeitoun | designboom