Tao Yihong Time: 3:00–6:00 PM
Price: FREE
Check-in: 2:00–2:45 PM
Curated by Hanyi Fonts and led by professional Chinese typeface designer Tao Yihong, the Modern Retro Type: Chinese Meishuzi design workshop offers a four-hour immersive experience. “Meishuzi” (美术字), meaning decorative Chinese characters in English, refers to a distinctive tradition of stylised lettering used mainly for signage and display, which gained wide popularity in mid-20th-century Shanghai, China.
Participants will journey from theory to practice as they delve into the evolution and contemporary expression of Meishuzi. The course explores how these expressive letterforms have transformed across historical contexts, from the unrestrained dynamism of hand-painted signage to the structural elegance of modern trading, offering a fresh perspective on the visual language of Chinese characters.
The workshop begins with an introduction to the styles of Chinese Meishuzi and then guides participants through hands-on practice of basic strokes. In the process, participants will not only appreciate the intricacy of Meishuzi writing but also experience the focus and calm brought by the rhythm of writing. The session concludes with a creative exercise to design a personalised Chinese lettering blending modern flair with retro charm.
To support each participant’s creative process, Hanyi Fonts has prepared a custom handwriting kit for use during the workshop. While All participants may take their work home as a keepsake, a selection of outstanding pieces will be showcased on the official social media platforms of ATypI and Hanyi Fonts, reaching a wider community of type design enthusiasts.
This workshop is free and open to anyone with an interest in Chinese writing. Limited to 20 participants on a first-come, first-served basis, it offers a hands-on journey into the rich diversity and unique charm of Chinese typeforms. Through the act of writing and lettering, participants will explore the underlying connections between Chinese and Latin scripts, achieving cross-cultural insight, creative growth, and lasting inspiration.