When designing a book, should one follow a logical structure and develop a meticulous process? In the book Systematic Book Design?, Swiss graphic designer and typographer Jost Hochuli explores how intuitive decision-making plays a crucial role in the different stages of book planning—from choosing fonts and sizes to determining the layout of text areas. Drawing on personal experience and examples from his own works, Hochuli discusses the challenges that arise during the design process and emphasizes the importance of intuition alongside rational thinking.
For this session, we’ve invited Zhang Midi, the Chinese version supervisor and designer of Systematic Book Design?, along with Wang Yanru, the translator of the Chinese edition, to share their insights into the design process behind the book and discuss methods and experiences in book design.
About the Guest
Zhang Midi
Founder of Yushutang in Hangzhou, a member of Xuexizu. He is dedicated to the research and practice of typography and book design. He has curated exhibitions and publishing projects such as the Modern Typography Research Series, which includes the exhibition Typographic Composition by Yoshihisa Shirai: From International Style to Classic Style and to Idea (China International Design Museum, 2021) and edited the accompanying book (Hunan Fine Arts Publishing House, 2021). He also contributed to Systematic Book Design? (Hunan Fine Arts Publishing House, 2024).
Wang Yanru
Translator of the Chinese version of Systematic Book Design?. A Shanghai native who studied in the UK, Wang worked as a magazine art editor for many years and is currently employed in creative strategy and planning at a branding company.
Event Date: Saturday, August 31,2024
Time: 15:00-17:00
Sharing Topic
Pioneers as Method
Jost Hochuli and Systematic Book Design?
Swiss designer Jost Hochuli is renowned in the design field for his outstanding design philosophy and practice. This session will first briefly introduce his unique concepts and representative works, as well as the design insights behind the Chinese edition of Systematic Book Design?. We will explore how to respect the original work while better reflecting Hochuli’s design ideas and style.
Finally, the session will provide a brief commentary on Jost Hochuli’s design influence and discuss why the book was selected for publication in China. We will also explore how to preserve the essence of his design during cross-cultural communication.
Part 1
Introduction to the Designer and Works
Part 2
Systematic Book Design? Chinese Edition
Design and Introduction Sharing
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