Mei Tao Wan 비주얼 아이덴티티, 사인·길찾기 시스템 by Zilong Chen

Mei Tao Wan 비주얼 아이덴티티, 사인·길찾기 시스템 by Zilong Chen is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award 동상 in 그래픽, 일러스트레이션 및 시각 커뮤니케이션 디자인 Competition Category.

동그래픽· 2026

Mei Tao Wan 비주얼 아이덴티티, 사인·길찾기 시스템

by Zilong Chen

Client: City University of Macau

A' Design Award 동상 Winner in 그래픽 Category

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

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The Design

About Mei Tao Wan 비주얼 아이덴티티, 사인·길찾기 시스템

메이타오완(Mei Tao Wan)은 중국 포산의 역사적 도자기 유적지에 조성된 문화공원을 위한 비주얼 아이덴티티 및 길찾기 시스템이다. 이 디자인은 난펑 고요(南風古灶) 지구의 구조적 선들을 추상화하여 기하학적 골격으로 재해석했다. 이 골격은 26개의 알파벳과 0부터 9까지의 숫자로 구성된 전용 서체와 기하학적 아이콘을 이루는 기반이 된다. 사인물은 고투명 아크릴과 흑동 마감의 스테인리스 스틸로 제작되었으며, 하부에 통합된 LED 조명이 야간에도 문자의 가독성을 유지해 준다. 이 시스템은 유적지의 역사와 새로운 문화적 기능을 서로 연결한다.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 동상

Mei Tao Wan 비주얼 아이덴티티, 사인·길찾기 시스템, 이 작품은 A' Design Award 동상 수상작으로, 창의성, 독창성, 영민함으로 돋보이는 뛰어난 디자인에 수여되는 높은 권위의 인정입니다. 동상 수상작은 충분히 숙련되고 인상적으로 창의적인 작품으로, 디자이너의 폭넓은 경험, 상상력, 기지를 입증합니다. Mei Tao Wan 비주얼 아이덴티티, 사인·길찾기 시스템, 이 작품은 높이 평가받고 감탄과 사랑을 받는 사물로서 두드러지게 전문적이고 혁신적일 것으로 기대됩니다. 이 동상 수상 디자인은 예술, 과학, 디자인, 기술의 모범 사례를 담고 있으며 세부에 대한 주의로 훌륭합니다. Mei Tao Wan 비주얼 아이덴티티, 사인·길찾기 시스템, 이 작품은 필요를 훌륭하게 충족하고 욕망에 닿으며 감정을 매료하고 호기심을 불러일으킵니다.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: MEITAOWAN transforms the historic ceramic site in Foshan into a cultural hub. The design extracts the architectural structure of the Nanfeng Ancient Kiln historic district. This architectural DNA is rigorously applied to the wayfinding system evolving into a custom 3D typeface comprising 26 English letters and numbers 0 to 9. Distinct from traditional signage the implementation uses black glazed ceramics fired at 1800 degrees Celsius. This approach integrates the material soul of the site into the visual identity creating a system where every character is not just a sign but a durable eco friendly piece of ceramic art.
Dimensions & Packaging: Primary Physical Application Banners and Posters 600mm x 900mm. Wayfinding Totem 600mm x 1800mm x 150mm. Wall Signage 400mm x 400mm. Main Logo Application Variable sizes adapted to building facades. Materials Acrylic Stainless Steel with Black Copper Finish LED components.
Tags: Visual Identity, Wayfinding System, Foshan Shiwan, Ceramic Culture, Architectural Typography, Urban Renewal, Industrial Heritage, Branding.
Production Technology: To contrast with the rough texture of the historic red brick buildings the signage system employs modern industrial materials high transparency acrylic and stainless steel with a black copper finish. A key technical innovation is the integrated LED lighting at the base which allows the text and icons to appear as if floating in the dark. This ensures maximum legibility for night time navigation while minimizing light pollution achieving a balance between safety guidance and artistic atmosphere.
Design Challenge: The main challenge was to modernize traditional cultural symbols without losing their historical gravity. We needed to avoid cliché representations of ceramics while ensuring the wayfinding was functional. The solution lay in the strict geometric abstraction of the architecture converting physical building forms into a flexible typographic system that works across various scales and materials.
Research: The project addresses the challenge of revitalizing an industrial ruin into a modern cultural landmark. Research focused on the visual semantics of Shiwans ceramic history. By analyzing the structural lines of local heritage buildings the team developed a visual grammar that unifies the disparate spaces of the park. This approach ensures the brand identity is not just a label but a continuation of the site historical narrative providing a platform for artists to create and exhibit.
Inspiration: The inspiration is deeply rooted in the Nanfeng Ancient Kiln a living fossil of Foshan ceramic history. We analyzed the structural logic of the kiln sloping roofs and the surrounding historic brick buildings. By extracting these architectural lines we designed a geometric skeleton that forms the basis of the 26 letters and 0 to 9 digits. The choice of black glaze ceramic as the medium is a direct tribute to the site production heritage symbolizing the transformation of mud into eternal art through fire.
Project Duration: The project started in December 2023 in Foshan, China and finished in August 2024. The project is located in Shiwan, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China.
Operation Flow: Visitors navigate the park using intuitive geometric icons derived from the brand architectural logic. The signage acts as a silent guide linear patterns on glass surfaces create a rhythmic visual play between transparency and privacy mimicking the stacking of ceramic tiles. This immerses visitors in the ceramic culture atmosphere immediately upon entry making wayfinding an integral part of the artistic experience rather than just a functional necessity.
Team Members: Designer：CHEN ZILONG
Image Credits: Image #1-5 : CHEN ZILONG