Reviving Agricultural History: Mo Guangping's Innovative Design

Unveiling the Archives of Agriculture: A Unique Blend of History and Design

Mo Guangping's inspiration for the design was derived from old and beautiful farming symbols used in particular ages, extracted from the file collected by Liu Songtai. These symbols, such as Suzhou Code and some typography and picture, were recombined and featured on the book cover and packing, reflecting the lifestyle of those particular ages.

The design's unique properties lie in its full enclosed book cover, designed to mimic the experience of opening a file. This interactive element allows readers to engage with the book in a way that transcends the traditional reading experience. The book can only be opened after tearing the cover, making the readers feel as if they are unveiling a piece of history.

The design was realized using four-color printing, black stamping, 240 gsm Ivory paper, 80 gsm Mengken paper, and corrugated paperboard. The technical specifications of the design are a width of 175mm, depth of 51mm, and height of 245mm.

The design's interaction is another unique aspect. When readers receive the book, they need to open the seal of the slipcase to see the book, akin to opening a sealed archive. This design choice enhances the reader's interaction with the book, making it a more immersive experience.

The design process was not without its challenges. Breaking the conventional way of thinking, the book is categorized into agriculture, people's livelihood, agricultural and sideline, agricultural finance, and agricultural policy. This categorized design approach caters more to the aesthetic demand of modern people, making the book not only a source of historical knowledge but also a piece of art.

The book is copyrighted by Sun Yat-Sen University Press. The design's recognition with a Silver A' Design Award in 2017 is a testament to its creativity, technical proficiency, and remarkable design that inspires awe and wonder.