Viewpoints: Tainan’s Heritage Meets Contemporary Visual Identity

Street furniture exhibition bridges 400 years of culture and design

The Viewpoints exhibition, designed by Chung Sheng Chen, Ting Yuan, and En Yang, stands as a testament to Tainan’s enduring spirit and evolving urban landscape. By focusing on street furniture, the project draws inspiration from the city’s iconic alleyways, temple seats, and arcade benches—spaces that have long fostered community interaction and preserved local stories. The visual identity, characterized by expressive illustrations and a refined color palette, captures the everyday charm and dynamic energy of Tainan, inviting visitors to explore both its past and its future.

What sets Viewpoints apart is its seamless integration of 400 years of cultural heritage into a contemporary design language. The exhibition’s visual identity employs simple strokes, youthful perspectives, and a harmonious blend of colors inspired by Tainan’s architecture—brick reds, earth greens, and vibrant yellows. These elements come together to depict daily interactions, moments of rest, and the unique rhythm of alley life. The design’s strength lies in its ability to balance historical depth with modern appeal, making Tainan’s story accessible and engaging for younger generations.

The realization of the visual identity involved a meticulous process using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, combining hand-drawn illustrations with digital techniques. Printed materials utilize thick-weight paper and digital printing for color stability and detail, while the design’s adaptability ensures consistency across posters, guidebooks, digital banners, and interactive installations. This approach guarantees that the exhibition’s message remains clear and visually compelling, regardless of the medium.

Research for Viewpoints centered on the intersection of cultural heritage and innovation. The project not only revitalizes Tainan’s alleys and historical sites but also serves as a platform for design students to apply their creativity in real-world contexts. Collaboration between professional designers, local businesses, and academic institutions fosters a dynamic exchange of ideas, enhancing both cultural understanding and commercial value. This industry-academia partnership ensures that the exhibition remains both innovative and practical.

One of the primary challenges faced by the design team was merging Tainan’s historical richness with a fresh, playful visual style. By adopting signature pen-style outlines and a simplified color palette, the designers successfully conveyed the vibrancy of everyday interactions while honoring the city’s architectural legacy. The result is a visual identity that resonates with diverse audiences and encourages deeper engagement with Tainan’s cultural narrative.

Viewpoints not only celebrates Tainan’s 400-year journey but also exemplifies the power of design to connect generations and inspire new perspectives. Awarded Silver in the 2025 A' Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design Award, the exhibition stands as a model for how thoughtful design can bridge history and modernity, inviting all to participate in the ongoing story of a city.