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Dou Gong Osnovna funkcija: Tipografsko pismo by Shanghai Kuyekuye Technology Co., Ltd

Dou Gong Osnovna funkcija: Tipografsko pismo by Shanghai Kuyekuye Technology Co., Ltd is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Бронзана награда A' Design Award in Графички дизајн, илустрација и визуелна комуникација Competition Category.


БронзанаГрафика· 2026

Dou Gong Osnovna funkcija: Tipografsko pismo

by Shanghai Kuyekuye Technology Co., Ltd

Client: Kuyekuye

Бронзана награда A' Design Award Winner in Графика Category

Colors

The Design

About Dou Gong Osnovna funkcija: Tipografsko pismo

Tipografsko pismo Dou Gong reinterpretira tradicionalnu kinesku drvenu gradnju kao tipografski sistem. Inspirisani spojevima na usek i čep, znakovi se formiraju kroz isprepletane poteze koji deluju kao modularni strukturni elementi. Dizajn se proširuje na trodimenzionalne i prostorne primene, povezujući arhitekturu i tipografiju. Uvodi pristup vođen metodom koji transformiše strukturnu logiku u fleksibilan i savremen vizuelni jezik.

The Recognition

About the Бронзана награда A' Design Award

Dou Gong Osnovna funkcija: Tipografsko pismo је добитник Бронзане награде A' Design Award, високо престижног признања које се додељује изванредним дизајнима који се одликују креативношћу, домишљатошћу и оштроумношћу. Добитници Бронзане награде у потпуности су вешти и упечатљиво креативни артефакти који потврђују велико искуство, машту и снаљажљивост својих дизајнера. Очекује се да Dou Gong Osnovna funkcija: Tipografsko pismo буде високо цењен, дивљен и вољен предмет, запажено професионалан и иновативан. Овај дизајн награђен Бронзаном наградом A' Design Award уграђује најбоље праксе у уметности, науци, дизајну и технологији и одличан је по пажњи према детаљима. Dou Gong Osnovna funkcija: Tipografsko pismo сјајно задовољава потребе, дотиче жеље, очарава осећања и привлачи радозналост.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties
Inspired by Dou Gong, the ancient Chinese timber bracket system, this typeface translates structural intelligence into typography.

Built without nails or glue, Dou Gong relies on interlocking mortise-and-tenon joints. The typeface follows this logic: strokes interlock, overlap, and brace rather than simply connect.

Each glyph acts as a modular framework, reflecting the spatial rhythm and load-bearing logic of traditional architecture.

Structure becomes form. Form becomes language.
Dimensions & Packaging
The character set includes letters, numbers, punctuation, and core Chinese glyph prototypes. Built on a modular grid system with consistent stroke ratios. Initial release includes Regular weight.
Tags
Structural Typography, Brand Identity System, Mortise-and-Tenon Logic, Sustainable Design Thinking, Architectural Inspiration, Corporate Typeface, Parametric Construction
Production Technology
The typeface was developed using a structural construction methodology inspired by traditional mortise-and-tenon logic. Stroke intersections are designed as interlocking nodes rather than overlapping paths. Kerning was iteratively refined, and a grid-based proportional system was applied for optical corrections. Variable-weight prototypes were used to test structural balance and consistency.
Design Challenge
The main challenge was translating three-dimensional architectural compression logic into both three-dimensional and two-dimensional typographic construction while maintaining legibility. Balancing historical structural principles with digital font production constraints required multiple iterations. Vector geometry and optical correction limitations added further refinement challenges.
Research
Type of Research: Practice-based design research.
Research Objectives: To translate architectural structural logic into a typographic system.
Methodology: Structural analysis, modular prototyping, iterative testing.
Data and Tools: Architectural documentation review, vector modeling, grid simulation.
Participants: Internal design team testing brand applications.
Results: A modular, interlocking type system.
Insights and Impact: Confirmed that structural intelligence can inform type design.
Effect: Advanced brand system thinking and sustainable design methodology.
Inspiration
Inspired by Dou Gong, the iconic bracket system of traditional Chinese timber architecture.

Originating in the Western Zhou Dynasty and flourishing through the Tang and Song periods, Dou Gong functioned as a structural, seismic, ornamental, and symbolic element in Chinese architecture for over 3,000 years. Built entirely without nails or glue, it relies on precise mortise-and-tenon interlocking joints—each component bearing weight through compression and balance.
Project Duration
The project started in March 2024 in Shanghai and was completed in May 2025 in Beijing. Structural research was conducted concurrently with brand development, and the typeface was implemented across corporate visual identity applications upon completion.
Operation Flow
The typeface functions as a modular system. Designers can assemble letters using interlocking principles to create mutually supportive visual structures. Structural relationships remain stable at any scale, allowing flexible application across posters, brand identity, and environmental graphics. The structural rhythm enhances visual impact while maintaining legibility. The system enables consistent and dynamic brand expression.
Team Members
Xusong Wang
Xiao Dong
Yi An

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