Utopian City: A Poster Design by QiuYu Li

Exploring a New Order of Typography

QiuYu Li, a talented designer, presents "Utopian City," a poster that pushes the boundaries of typography and fuses architectural motifs with letters. This unique design draws inspiration from Soviet Modernist architecture, which is slowly fading away. Li's intention is not only to create a visually striking poster but also to capture the essence of a bygone era.

What sets "Utopian City" apart is its exploration of a new order of typography. Modern typography often prioritizes functionality, resulting in designs that lack individuality and sensibilities. Li challenges this notion and aims to create a visual expression that allows both sensibilities and reason to coexist. By merging architectural elements with letters, the poster showcases a fusion of form and function.

The realization of "Utopian City" is best achieved through print reproduction. Li suggests using matte paper to enhance the poster's texture and create a special atmosphere. Adobe Illustrator serves as the primary software for designing this piece, as it allows for precise control over typography and does not rely heavily on photo materials.

With dimensions of 515mm width and 728mm height, "Utopian City" is a physical product that can be exhibited in design exhibitions. It functions not only as an experimental poster for typography but also as a work of art. Li's design draws influences from Constructivism, Bauhaus, and the Swiss international style, aiming to achieve a post-modern typography that combines reason and sensibilities.

Creating "Utopian City" came with its fair share of challenges. The strong influence of Constructivism, Bauhaus, and the Swiss style initially made it difficult for Li to break free from their conventions. Disassembling and transforming letters while refraining from reading them required a fresh perspective and creative problem-solving.

As digital information becomes increasingly prevalent, the significance of visuals in communication has grown. "Utopian City" rethinks modern typography by incorporating architectural motifs and letters, exploring new visual possibilities. At the same time, it emphasizes the importance of clarity in typography, ensuring that the message is effectively conveyed.

QiuYu Li holds the copyrights for "Utopian City," which was independently produced in 2021. The design has received recognition and was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Graphics, Illustration, and Visual Communication Design category in 2022. This prestigious award honors designs that demonstrate exceptional creativity, technical skills, and contributions to improving the quality of life.