Mei Tao Wan 視覺識別、導視系統 by Zilong Chen is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award 銅獎 in 平面設計 Competition Category.

銅平面· 2026

Mei Tao Wan 視覺識別、導視系統

by Zilong Chen

Client: City University of Macau

A' Design Award 銅獎 Winner in 平面 Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #180006

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

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The Design

About Mei Tao Wan 視覺識別、導視系統

美陶灣係一套為中國佛山一個歷史陶瓷遺址上嘅文化園區而設計嘅視覺識別同導視系統。設計將南風古灶片區嘅建築結構線條抽象化，提煉成一個幾何骨架。呢個骨架構成咗一套包含26個字母同0至9數字嘅定制字體，仲配埋幾何圖標。標識牌採用高透明度亞加力膠同黑銅飾面不鏽鋼製造。底部嵌入嘅LED燈光確保文字喺夜晚都清晰可讀。整個系統將呢個場地嘅歷史同佢嘅全新文化功能連繫埋一齊。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 銅獎

Mei Tao Wan 視覺識別、導視系統是 A' Design Award 銅獎得主，這是授予以創造力、獨創性和敏銳見長的傑出設計的極具聲望的認可。銅獎得主是技藝嫻熟、創意驚人的作品，印證了其設計師豐富的經驗、想像力與機智。預計Mei Tao Wan 視覺識別、導視系統將成為一件備受推崇、令人欽佩且被珍愛的物品，兼具顯著的專業性與創新性。這件贏得 A' Design Award 銅獎的設計融入藝術、科學、設計和技術領域的最佳實踐，並因注重細節而出類拔萃。Mei Tao Wan 視覺識別、導視系統出色地滿足需求，觸動渴望，迷住情感，並吸引好奇心。

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