Silver Print and Published Media Design · 2025
The Four Great Chinese Novels Publication Design
by Xu Tang
- A' Design Award 2025 Silver Winner in Print and Published Media Design
- Awarded April 15, 2025
- CLIENT: Biejing Lab
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 79,238
- Verification code 41C48EB9F9 · Verify this award
About The Four Great Chinese Novels Publication Design
The Four Great Classical Novels are widely regarded as the ultimate representation of traditional Chinese literature and culture. This design abandons conventional methods, embracing a critic's perspective to present a fresh interpretation of these timeless works. The set features a split double-bookcase design with a one-centimeter gap that reveals a glimpse of the inner cover's artwork, evoking the sensation of peering through a slightly opened door, enticing readers to uncover the mysteries within.
The Four Great Chinese Novels Publication Design by Xu Tang emerges as an exemplary achievement in contemporary literary packaging, demonstrating how traditional cultural heritage may be thoughtfully translated through modern design sensibilities while honoring the profound significance of classical texts. This comprehensive publishing project presents four foundational works of narrative literature through a unified yet individually distinguished visual system, wherein each volume receives its own chromatic identity drawn from symbolically resonant hues long associated with elemental and directional significance in classical cosmological thinking. The designer appears to engage deeply with the challenge of creating accessible contemporary presentations for texts of considerable historical and cultural weight, achieving a sophisticated balance between reverence for tradition and clarity for contemporary readers. Technical accomplishment manifests throughout the execution, from the precisely registered gold foil stamping that renders both calligraphic and illustrative elements with crisp definition, to the considered reveal windows that create visual intrigue while suggesting the treasures contained within. The compositional decision to present all four volumes simultaneously invites contemplation of their interrelationship as a unified corpus while celebrating their individual narrative identities. The matte paper surfaces suggest archival quality and scholarly seriousness, while the warm gold applications across all volumes create visual cohesion and impart appropriate preciousness to these culturally significant texts. One might observe how the design successfully navigates the challenge of appealing to both traditional readers familiar with classical editions and contemporary audiences approaching these works anew, achieving this through the thoughtful integration of vertical calligraphic elements with horizontal contemporary typography. How might we consider the ways in which physical book design shapes our relationship to literary heritage and our understanding of texts as cultural artifacts worthy of preservation and celebration?
Press Kit
- 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.
- 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. - 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. - Patents
- Copyright © Xu Tang Biejinglab / Mu Gui Culture Xiron Group . All Rights Reserved.
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Design Interview about The Four Great Chinese Novels Publication Design
A Contemporary Reimagining of China’s Literary Treasures
— Design Concept for the Four Great Classical Novels
If one had to choose a single book series to represent the literary and cultural legacy of China, it would undoubtedly be the Four Great Classical Novels—Dream of the Red Chamber, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Journey to the West, and Water Margin. These masterpieces form the pinnacle of classical Chinese literature and are familiar to anyone who appreciates Chinese culture.
This edition is unique in that it incorporates critical annotations by renowned scholars. Their insights not only enrich the original texts but also offer readers a deeper understanding. As a designer, I chose to shift away from conventional visual tropes and instead approached the project from the perspective of these critics—offering a sense of “observing” the classics through a modern lens.
Thus, the concept of “glimpse” became the central motif of the design.
For Dream of the Red Chamber, the box resembles the red gates of an aristocratic mansion, secured by lion-head locks. A narrow one-centimeter gap reveals part of the inner cover—an iconic painting of Jia Baoyu’s Dream Journey to the Land of Illusion—suggesting a fleeting view into the mysterious world of the Jia family.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms draws on the legendary “Borrowing Arrows with Straw Boats” scene. The box design depicts thousands of arrows streaking through a night sky, while the hidden inner cover reveals a serene portrait of Zhuge Liang. The reader peeks through the slit to discover his calm, knowing smile.
Journey to the West evokes the heavenly chaos of the Monkey King's rebellion, and Water Margin references banners fluttering with the rallying cry: “Deliver justice on Heaven’s behalf.”
All four titles are housed in dual slipcases that split open to the left and right. While the outer cases appear minimal and restrained, a one-centimeter gap invites readers to glimpse the richly illustrated inner covers. This tension between concealment and revelation inspires curiosity—inviting readers to open the books and rediscover these literary giants from a fresh and engaging perspective.
— Design Concept for the Four Great Classical Novels
If one had to choose a single book series to represent the literary and cultural legacy of China, it would undoubtedly be the Four Great Classical Novels—Dream of the Red Chamber, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Journey to the West, and Water Margin. These masterpieces form the pinnacle of classical Chinese literature and are familiar to anyone who appreciates Chinese culture.
This edition is unique in that it incorporates critical annotations by renowned scholars. Their insights not only enrich the original texts but also offer readers a deeper understanding. As a designer, I chose to shift away from conventional visual tropes and instead approached the project from the perspective of these critics—offering a sense of “observing” the classics through a modern lens.
Thus, the concept of “glimpse” became the central motif of the design.
For Dream of the Red Chamber, the box resembles the red gates of an aristocratic mansion, secured by lion-head locks. A narrow one-centimeter gap reveals part of the inner cover—an iconic painting of Jia Baoyu’s Dream Journey to the Land of Illusion—suggesting a fleeting view into the mysterious world of the Jia family.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms draws on the legendary “Borrowing Arrows with Straw Boats” scene. The box design depicts thousands of arrows streaking through a night sky, while the hidden inner cover reveals a serene portrait of Zhuge Liang. The reader peeks through the slit to discover his calm, knowing smile.
Journey to the West evokes the heavenly chaos of the Monkey King's rebellion, and Water Margin references banners fluttering with the rallying cry: “Deliver justice on Heaven’s behalf.”
All four titles are housed in dual slipcases that split open to the left and right. While the outer cases appear minimal and restrained, a one-centimeter gap invites readers to glimpse the richly illustrated inner covers. This tension between concealment and revelation inspires curiosity—inviting readers to open the books and rediscover these literary giants from a fresh and engaging perspective.
There are countless editions of the Four Great Classical Novels, so the key considerations for this edition are:
1.How to clearly convey the unique concept of this version—which features commentary from renowned scholars, making it a classic reinterpreted through the lens of critical insight.
2.How to stand out—to create a design that is distinct from all previous versions of the Four Great Classical Novels.
3.How to strike a balance—to ensure the design feels fresh and innovative, while still preserving the timeless essence of these literary classics.
1.How to clearly convey the unique concept of this version—which features commentary from renowned scholars, making it a classic reinterpreted through the lens of critical insight.
2.How to stand out—to create a design that is distinct from all previous versions of the Four Great Classical Novels.
3.How to strike a balance—to ensure the design feels fresh and innovative, while still preserving the timeless essence of these literary classics.
It is my hope that traditional Chinese culture will receive greater exposure on the global stage, enabling more people to appreciate and understand its richness and depth.
From the initial concept to final publication, this project took two years of continuous refinement and meticulous attention to detail.
This set of classic works was commissioned by Beijing MUGUI Culture. When they entrusted me with the design, they gave me complete creative freedom without any restrictions, for which I am deeply grateful. I conducted a thorough analysis of the various editions of the Four Great Classical Novels available on the market, and ultimately developed a design that is both unique and well-suited to the nature of these works.
All production rights and copyright of this work are held by Beijing MUGUI Culture.
While we deeply appreciate traditional Chinese culture, conventional designs often appear outdated. Through innovative design approaches, we aim to re-present these classics in a fresh way—encouraging more young people to engage with and understand them. This, to us, is a truly meaningful pursuit.
Most books of this kind tend to follow one of two design approaches: either using a single illustration or omitting imagery altogether in favor of minimalist typography to represent the classics.
My design introduces an emotional dimension—it offers readers a sense of immersion and space for imagination, recombining classical imagery with literature.
It’s like standing before the colorful box set as if it were a grand doorway, compelling you to open it and peek into a mysterious and boundless literary world.
My design introduces an emotional dimension—it offers readers a sense of immersion and space for imagination, recombining classical imagery with literature.
It’s like standing before the colorful box set as if it were a grand doorway, compelling you to open it and peek into a mysterious and boundless literary world.
Adobe photoshop ,adobe illustrator
Bringing the classics to life through a modern visual language.
My wife, Xie Li, and I work closely together—we make a great team.
While technical issues such as printing, scanning, and graphic production were addressed along the way, the key from the very beginning was to extract and define the central concept.
Yes, I analyzed nearly every available edition of the Four Great Classical Novels on the market,
studying their differences in content and design logic in detail.
Since these works are already considered timeless classics, most existing editions tend to follow very fixed design patterns.
My goal was to introduce a touch of innovation—building upon the classic foundation while gently breaking new ground.
studying their differences in content and design logic in detail.
Since these works are already considered timeless classics, most existing editions tend to follow very fixed design patterns.
My goal was to introduce a touch of innovation—building upon the classic foundation while gently breaking new ground.
Amid the vast number of existing classic editions, the biggest challenge is to create innovation that truly adds value.
That’s why deep research and extensive analysis are the keys to success.
That’s why deep research and extensive analysis are the keys to success.
This series has already gained significant recognition in China, having been selected for the National Art Exhibition and exhibited at the National Museum of China. With solid commercial performance as well, I believe it’s time for global readers to discover and appreciate it.
Deliberate thinking.
Grand Interview about The Four Great Chinese Novels Publication Design
The split double-bookcase with a one-centimeter gap symbolizes the space between tradition and modernity. The void invites readers to pause and reflect before entering the story. It represents the bridge between classical Chinese literature and contemporary sensibility, echoing the Chinese idea that emptiness can hold meaning and emotion.
Each novel carries its own symbol. The red lion-headed door in Dream of the Red Chamber becomes a visual metaphor of memory and secrecy, while Journey to the West flows with calligraphic rhythm. I simplified these classical symbols into clean geometric and color forms, translating ancient narratives into a modern, minimal design language.
After studying a century of previous editions, I aimed to balance reverence and renewal. I extracted the essence of traditional design—clarity, rhythm, and spatial harmony—and reinterpreted them through modern typography and structure. The result respects the past while speaking to today’s readers.
The grid and two-color system were inspired by classical order and calmness. The limited palette mirrors the ink-and-paper dialogue of Chinese painting, creating hierarchy and serenity. The precise layout lets the text breathe, making the reading experience quiet and meditative.
The packaging works like architecture. The box opens like a series of doors, suggesting discovery and entry. When the books align, they form a continuous façade, transforming the collection into an object of ritual—an homage to how books were once treasured cultural spaces.
Integrating scholarly critiques added another narrative layer. Through typography, paper tone, and texture changes, I guided readers between voices and time periods. This visual rhythm mirrors traditional Chinese annotation, creating a dialogue across centuries.
My minimalist approach rejects decoration to reveal meaning. Simplicity allows emotion and philosophy to emerge naturally. The calm rhythm, open space, and balanced proportion echo classical Chinese aesthetics—clarity, modesty, and inner strength.
Material choice followed feeling, not luxury. Textured specialty paper recalls old manuscripts, while subtle hot-stamping adds restrained brilliance. Every technical choice supports the concept, letting readers sense craftsmanship through touch as much as through sight.
The sequential reveal was inspired by theater. Opening each layer feels like watching a curtain rise, building anticipation. This slow rhythm honors the layered storytelling of the novels and restores a sense of ceremony to reading.
Winning the A’ Design Award confirms that tradition can live in modern form. I hope this project inspires others to reinterpret classics with new design language. For me, design is a bridge connecting time, culture, and readers across generations.