Exploring the relationship between language and design: a study of Hong Kong newspapers

Authors

  • Ryan Lee
  • Jeanne-Louise Moys

Abstract

Linguistically and in their visual form, Chinese and English are distinct typographic systems. This paper investigates the relationship between language and typographic design through examining a sample of Chinese and English newspapers published in Hong Kong. The paper outlines key considerations for Chinese typography and approaches to newspaper typography and layout and then explores these further in relation to the newspapers in the sample. The findings indicate that the Chinese newspapers tend to differentiate information through color and graphic devices more extensively and overtly than the English newspapers. The Chinese layouts also show a greater tendency towards symmetrical design and use an atomization approach to layout. These differences highlight the importance of considering the interplay between language and design and adapting descriptive frameworks for particular cultural contexts.

Author Biography

  • Ryan Lee
    Ryan Lee is an information designer at TDL-London and a first class graduate of the Department of Typography & Graphic Communication at the University of Reading in the UK. His research interest lies in the subject of user centric designs and he believes that understanding the end users' behavior is key in delivering a thoughtful design.;Dr Jeanne-Louise Moys is a lecturer in the Department of Typography & Graphic Communication at the University of Reading in the UK and a committee member of the Information Design Association. She has worked across a range of design and publishing genres in South Africa and the UK. Her research focuses on typography in editorial and information design genres and issues of inclusive design.

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Published

2016-08-01