The Origins of Type Design in Shanghai
It was an honour to interview 70years old Master Chen Qirui 陈其瑞 – together with shanghainese designer and typography Researcher Li Zhiqian 厉致虚 Colorphilosophy.
We talked on an open lecture in the Power Station of Art Museum Shanghai about the Origins of Typography Design in Shanghai.
Master Chen and his collegues belong to the first generation professional type designers in the PRC. In 1961, he joined Shanghai Printing Institute and since he was devoted to several type design projects, including Heiti No.1, Heiti No.2, Songhei – likely comparable with the chinese “Helvetica”.
It was a journey to the revolutionary and tumultuous past of Shanghai Typography History when Master Cheng showed us his typographic design treasures.
To read more:
Here you’ll find an essay (in chinese) inspired by the encounter with Master Chen Qirui and his collegue Master Xv Xuecheng.
Here’s an scripted interview with Master Xv Xuecheng and Chen Qirui.
