The Four Great Chinese Novels Conformatio Publicationis by Xu Tang

The Four Great Chinese Novels Conformatio Publicationis by Xu Tang is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Praemium A' Design Award Argenteum in Typographia Competition Category.

ArgentumTypographia· 2025

The Four Great Chinese Novels Conformatio Publicationis

by Xu Tang

Client: Biejing Lab

Praemium A' Design Award Argenteum Winner in Typographia Category

79,789
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #164214

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About The Four Great Chinese Novels Conformatio Publicationis

Quattuor Magnae Fabulae Classicae late habentur ut repraesentatio summa litterarum culturaeque Sinicae traditionalis. Haec conformatio methodos conventionales deserit, perspectivam critici amplectens ad interpretationem novam horum operum sempiternorum praestandam. Series conformationem duplicis armarii divisi cum hiatu unius centimetri ostendit, qui conspectum artis operis tegumenti interioris revelat, sensationem prospiciendi per ianuam leviter apertam evocans, ac lectores allicit ut mysteria interiora detegant.

The Recognition

About the Praemium A' Design Award Argenteum

The Four Great Chinese Novels Conformatio Publicationis victor est Praemii A' Design Award Argenteum, honoris eximie amplissimi formis summi generis, pulchris et conspicuis dati. Victores Argenti opera valde splendida et creandi ingenio praedita sunt, quae praestantem peritiam, talentum et acumen auctorum suorum ostendunt. Exspectatur The Four Great Chinese Novels Conformatio Publicationis opus mirabile, exemplare, valde professionale et penitus novum fore. Haec forma Argento victa inventum notabile et admiratum est, quod ad fines artis, scientiae, formandi rationis et technologiae promovendos confert. The Four Great Chinese Novels Conformatio Publicationis creatio est, quam multi invident, quae cupiditates excitat, sensus bonos affert et admirationem miraculumque movet.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: If One Set of Books were to Represent Traditional Chinese literature and culture, it would be the Four Great Classical Novels.
In the design, Broke from traditional approaches by incorporating a critic's perspective, allowing a fresh view of these
classics. The set features a split double bookcase design with a one-centimeter gap revealing part of the inner cover's design.
It's like opening a crack in the door, waiting for you to explore the mystery inside.
Dimensions & Packaging: 262x185x65 mm x 4
Tags: China's Four Great Classical Novels Publication design innovate
Production Technology: Paper: Specialty paper Pantone spot color printing
Packaging: Paper mounting grey board hardcover
Craftsmanship: Partial hot stamping
Design Challenge: This set of the Four Great Classical Novels are characterized as a version with critiques from famous scholars. This means that in addition to the complete traditional stories, it includes comments and critiques from notable critics of the time, enriching the content and making it more complex. For the content layout design, Adopted a grid system and a two-color dual printing method to address reading issues and enhance the reading experience. In the design of the outer packaging, Incorporated the perspective of critics, viewing the book from a higher and more objective standpoint. Thus, The two outer boxes resemble doors or mist, revealing a small gap that invites you to open them and discover more exciting stories.
Research: China's Four Great Classical Novels are the most renowned native novels, and many people around the world have heard of them, such as the stories of Sun Wukong and Zhuge Liang, which originate from these novels. This indicates that these four books have spawned countless versions and designs over time. In designing this new edition of the Four Great Classical Novels, Researched hundreds of design versions from the Qing Dynasty to modern times over a span of 100 years, ultimately discovering a new concept that blends tradition with modernity, simplicity with depth, inviting readers to explore more.
Inspiration: Four Series of Ideas
Dream of the Red Chamber: The bookcase mimics a red lion-headed door, slightly opened to reveal the mysterious life of the
Jia family.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms: Inspired by the "Borrowing Arrows" scene, the case depicts flying arrows, while inside, Zhuge
Liang smiles calmly on the straw boat.
Journey to the West: Draws from the "Havoc in Heaven" scene among the clouds.
Water Margin: Reflects the "Outlaws of the Marsh" theme with waving flags of rebellion.
Project Duration: The project starts in January 2023 in Beijing, China and ends in April 2023 in Beijing, China, Officially published in April 2023 and available for sale
Operation Flow: Through the unique design, it brings readers a more valuable sense of collection and a better reading experience.
With the opening of the book box, the story relates to the readers step by step, just like the curtain of a play slowly pulls open, which is fascinating.