Cantopop, a popular music genre in Hong Kong sung in Cantonese, rose to prominence in the 1970s and significantly influenced Mainland China after the "Reform and Opening-Up" policy in 1978, despite language barriers. Songs resonated deeply due to their reflection of shared cultural and socioeconomic experiences. Many songs have since remained popular, symbolizing themes of personal freedom, dreams, and social change.
The newsprint incorporates texts from the following sources:
Revival on the Other Side of the Country: Cantopop in Mainland China by Tingyu Yan, Jiajun Tang
A Guide To Cantopop: From Beyond And Sam Hui To Anita Mui by Samantha Lui
The Golden Age of Cantopop
8" x 10"
InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop
Fall 2023
Advised by Audra Hubbell
Newsprint project celebrating the vibrant culture of Cantonese pop music, inspired by the sounds of my childhood. Through layouts exploring its rich history and iconic figures, I aim to honor and preserve this unique musical legacy.
final spreads
the process
context
visual inspiration
Combining insights from an academic article about historical contexts and a piece by the Grammys highlighting individual artists, I aimed to capture the interplay between modernity and nostalgia. Hong Kong experienced a swift period of industrialization, which I see reflected in the vibrant neon lights of its streets and signs. Conversely, nostalgia and a sense of the past are evoked through the display of vintage karaoke machines.
⟡ cool find: ⟡
video about Hong Kong type design by the Letterform Archive
video about Hong Kong type design by the Letterform Archive
highlighted design choices
Glowing Text Inspired by Hong Kong’s Neon Lights
The glowing text in my project is inspired by the neon lights that define Hong Kong's urban landscape. This design choice captures the city’s vibrant energy and visually represents its modern, neon-infused aesthetic.
The glowing text in my project is inspired by the neon lights that define Hong Kong's urban landscape. This design choice captures the city’s vibrant energy and visually represents its modern, neon-infused aesthetic.
Dimensional Shifts through Blurs and Overlays
Inspired by Hong Kong film director Wong Kar Wai’s cinematic style, the use of blurs and overlays captures the essence of late 20th-century Hong Kong's rapid industrialization and cultural transformation. This design choice mirrors the vibrant energy of the era when dynamic Cantopop emerged.
Inspired by Hong Kong film director Wong Kar Wai’s cinematic style, the use of blurs and overlays captures the essence of late 20th-century Hong Kong's rapid industrialization and cultural transformation. This design choice mirrors the vibrant energy of the era when dynamic Cantopop emerged.
Nostalgia: Karaoke Screens & Fan Scrapbooks
The nostalgia of vintage karaoke screen lyrics are essential to the Cantopop experience. The collage-scrapbook visual approach reflects fan culture celebrating the icons and their lasting impact on popular culture.
The stylistic change also signifies the beginning of the second article about individual artists.
The nostalgia of vintage karaoke screen lyrics are essential to the Cantopop experience. The collage-scrapbook visual approach reflects fan culture celebrating the icons and their lasting impact on popular culture.
The stylistic change also signifies the beginning of the second article about individual artists.
