Poster Design: Characters in the Haze

Reflecting on the Impact of Air Pollution

In a world where air pollution is a pressing issue, Chinese characters, a cultural treasure inherited for 5000 years, are not spared from its effects. Designer Yu Chen presents a thought-provoking poster that combines the beauty of Chinese characters with the harsh reality of air pollution.

The poster features Chinese characters related to the air, with the haze forming the shapes of these characters. This unique approach highlights the impact of pollution on our cultural heritage, making the beautiful Chinese characters appear distorted and specious.

Using computer painting, digital plate, illustration, printing, and posting techniques, Yu Chen brings this design to life. The poster measures 70 cm x 50 cm and is suitable for outdoor posting and network communication.

Through this design, Yu Chen aims to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of air pollution caused by rapid industrialization. By combining the effects of haze with Chinese characters, the poster serves as a reflection on the consequences of prioritizing development at the expense of the environment.

The project, which started in December 2018 in Wuhan, was completed in February 2019. During the design process, extensive research was conducted to find the perfect balance between the effects of haze and the legibility of Chinese characters.

Overcoming the challenge of merging the visual impact of haze with the clarity of Chinese characters was a significant hurdle for the designer. However, through careful experimentation and artistic ingenuity, Yu Chen successfully created a design that effectively communicates the message of the poster.

This thought-provoking poster by Yu Chen has been recognized for its creativity and ingenuity. It was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Graphics, Illustration, and Visual Communication Design category in 2019. This prestigious award celebrates designs that demonstrate outstanding technical and creative skills, contributing to improvements in quality of life and making the world a better place.