Gongche Sketch Book: A Symphony of Design and Culture

Reviving Ancient Notation Through Interactive Design

At the heart of Xueqing Chen's Gongche Sketch Book lies a dedication to interactive design that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers. This innovative creation is not merely a book; it is an immersive experience that engages the senses of sight, hearing, and touch. It invites readers to explore the ancient Chinese Gongche notation system, making it accessible and enjoyable for a global audience. The Sketch Book is a bridge between the past and the present, infusing traditional Gongche notation with new life and relevance.

What sets the Gongche Sketch Book apart is its ability to facilitate a deep appreciation for the Gongche notation's allure across diverse cultures and time periods. It acts as a cultural ambassador, carrying the melodious charm of Gongche across international borders. The design's strength lies in its interactive nature, which allows readers to not only understand but also physically engage with the notation through a unique paper tape mechanism.

The Sketch Book's design is realized through meticulous craftsmanship. The bare wire hardcover binding echoes the content's cultural significance, while the exposed spine reveals the layered pages, enhancing the tactile experience. This design choice is symbolic, likening the reader's tactile engagement to the enjoyment of a musical rhythm, thereby creating a connection between the book and its musical content.

With dimensions of 160mm by 210mm by 30mm, the Gongche Sketch Book is a compact yet profound vessel of cultural knowledge. It is described as a listening book, a redesign of traditional music interpretation, and a multi-sensory exploration of Gongchipu, the ancient system of musical notation. The book operates through a 30-note hand-cranked music box movement, ingeniously integrated with the book's structure. As readers insert the paper tape corresponding to Gongchipu into the mechanism and turn the hand crank, the punched tape interacts with a sound comb to produce the corresponding pitches, thus bringing the notation to life audibly.

The design journey, which began in Nanjing in June 2022 and culminated in May 2023, presented challenges, particularly in modernizing the Gongchipu characters. The redesign required a balance between standardization, readability, and integration with other musical notations. The result is a visually impactful and easily understood Gongchipu character system that respects tradition while embracing modern aesthetics.

The Gongche Sketch Book has garnered international recognition, securing the Silver A' Design Award in the Print and Published Media Design category in 2024. This accolade is a testament to the project's excellence, innovation, and the profound impact it has on promoting cultural understanding through design. Xueqing Chen's work is not just a celebration of music and design; it is a cultural odyssey that resonates with the enchanting legacy of Gongche notation, ensuring its melody continues to echo through time.