The Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area has always been at the forefront of the industry in the development of modern design in China, forming a unique design ecosystem. Design historian LYU Xiaomeng, through years of continuous on-site observation of the regional culture and design resources in the Greater Bay Area, has chosen "case studies" as an "experimental" method for contemporary design narrative, attempting to approach specific objects from a multidimensional perspective and conduct research based on "presence", making efforts based on the "present" for the construction of design history. He excavated the past of design through interviews, research, and other forms, and combined first-hand materials such as old photos, manuscripts, and creative works to depict the development trajectory of design culture in the Greater Bay Area since the reform and opening up with a simple narrative language.
In the process of advancing the research, a large number of design historical documents with the Greater Bay Area as the core were verified, and thousands of image materials were systematically compiled and organized. A publication archive featuring designer case studies was established, which narrated the important nodes and imprints of the development process of design under the "big era" from the perspective of "ordinary people", and connected them into a series of vivid chronicle units with different professional experiences and roles.
This book explores the individual trends and development of modern Chinese design in the context of the times. Six designers, Wang Yuefei, Kan Tai-keung, Han Jiaying, Li Keke, Zeng Jun, and Huang Yang, are selected as case studies to uncover their growth stories in realizing design ideals and exploring professional paths through the tide of reform and opening up. Following their design trajectories, the book showcases the creativity and works that carry the times and memories. The narrative images interwoven with text and images in the book seem to bring people back to the era when Chinese graphic design was pioneering and passionate, allowing the public to learn more about the design culture and local values that continue to develop in the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area, feel the resonance between the times and design, and also leave important texts based on contemporary memory for the academic community. In order to ensure the objectivity and accuracy of historical facts, after the completion of LYU Xiaomeng's manuscript, it was sent to six designers for signature confirmation before entering the publishing process. This book does not endorse any designer, but only aims to restore the past and supplement the construction of Chinese design history. The order of appearance of designers in the book is based on the 1992 exhibition "Graphic Design in China" and does not involve any ranking.
This book is a high-quality project funded by the Guangdong Provincial Cultural Prosperity Special Fund in 2023, and won the Silver Award for Excellent Art Books at the 34th “Jinniu Cup” in 2024.
