Typographic design for Chinese landscape poem, painting and Taoism

Abstract

<p>Chinese poetry, especially landscape poetry has been translated into English for many years. But rigid language translation could not carry the Tao beauty embedded in the Chinese landscape poetry from Chinese to English. This thesis study is to use western typography design to express Chinese landscape poetry. Chinese landscape painting will be used as an underlying structure upon which type will be placed to create a visual poem. Thus, appreciation of Chinese poetry will not just rely on English translation, but will also be supported by a visual vehicle to aid discovery of the inner beauty that has previously been lost in the translation between Chinese and English. The purpose of the literature review is to help understand the connection between Chinese landscape poetry and painting in the context of Chinese history and Taoism. It includes short history of Chinese landscape poetry, Taoism, Tao creativity in Chinese landscape poetry and painting, concrete poetry, as well as design elements and principles. After the literature review and methodology in which a list of design processes is given, typographic design experiments are made in project studies in which seven design solutions are analyzed and studied. Each design solution focuses on different design principles such as direction, repetition, shape association, and negative positive space. The result of this thesis study will provide a different perspective for people to understand Chinese landscape poetry and enhance their visual experience through reading poems.</p>