Dou Gong Primary Function: Uhlobo lwamagama okubhala by Shanghai Kuyekuye Technology Co., Ltd

Dou Gong Primary Function: Uhlobo lwamagama okubhala by Shanghai Kuyekuye Technology Co., Ltd is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Ibhaso Lebhronzi le-A' Design Award in Uyilo lweGrafiki, umZobo kunye noNxibelelwano oluBonakalayo Competition Category.

IbhronziIgrafiki· 2026

Dou Gong Primary Function: Uhlobo lwamagama okubhala

by Shanghai Kuyekuye Technology Co., Ltd

Client: Kuyekuye

Ibhaso Lebhronzi le-A' Design Award Winner in Igrafiki Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #181648

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Dou Gong Primary Function: Uhlobo lwamagama okubhala

Book Text: Uhlobo lwamagama iDou Gong luphinda luchaze ukwakhiwa kwamaplanga esiTshayina kwesintu njengenkqubo yohlobo lwamagama okubhala. Iphefumlelwe kukujoyina kwe-mortise ne-tenon, oonobumba benziwa ngokusebenzisa imithamo ekhonkxene esebenza njengezinto zesakhiwo ezahlukeneyo. Uyilo luyanaba lube kwizicelo zamacala amathathu nezasendaweni, lidibanisa uyilo lwezakhiwo kunye nohlobo lwamagama okubhala. Lwazisa indlela esekelwe kwindlela eguqula ingqiqo yesakhiwo ibe lulwimi lokubona oluguqukayo nolwexesha langoku.

The Recognition

About the Ibhaso Lebhronzi le-A' Design Award

Dou Gong Primary Function: Uhlobo lwamagama okubhala ngumphumeleli weIbhaso Lebhronzi le-A' Design Award, ukuqatshelwa okuhlonitshwayo kakhulu okunikwa imiyilo ephawulekayo eyahlukaniswa kukuyila, ubukrelekrele nobukrelekrele. Abaphumeleleyo beBhronzi ziimveliso ezinobuchule obukhulu nezidala ngokumangalisayo ezingqina amava aphangaleleyo, ukucinga nokwazi ukuzenzela kwabayili bazo. Dou Gong Primary Function: Uhlobo lwamagama okubhala iyathenjwa ukuba ibe yimpahla exatyiswa kakhulu, edunyiswayo nethandwayo enobungcali obuphawulekayo nezinto ezintsha. Lo myilo uphumeleleyo weIbhaso Lebhronzi le-A' Design Award ubandakanya iindlela ezilungileyo kakhulu kubugcisa, inzululwazi, uyilo kunye nobuchwephesha kwaye ugqwesile ngenxa yokunikela ingqalelo kwiinkcukacha. Dou Gong Primary Function: Uhlobo lwamagama okubhala iyanelisa iimfuno ngokumangalisayo, ichukumisa iinqwenelo, ikhwebela iimvakalelo kwaye itsala umdla.

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