We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Wan Fen Chen about their original and creative Chinese Almanac design work. Wan Fen Chen is an award-winning communication designer, that makes our world a better place with their original chinese almanac works.
Wan Fen Chen ("WFC") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Day Code Chinese Almanac. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
WFC : On the calendar in Taiwan, in addition to providing information regarding the records of ancestors’ wisdom – lunar calendar. It also tells people to welcome good fortune and avoid bad omens every day. Nevertheless, the information is provided in verbal form. "Let's turn over decades of calendars, make some changes, and try to convert words into patterns!" The idea came naturally.
WFC : The transformed image can clearly convey the meaning it represents.
WFC : Introducing this calendar to more other countries and let more people know about Taiwan's culture.
WFC : about half a year.
WFC : Day Code - Chinese Almanac is the first work under its own brand after the establishment of the studio. The idea of designing this calendar has been around for many years, so the studio's first product was decided to be it.
WFC : The calendar has been listed on the fundraising platform last year. Production operations for Day Code - Chinese Almanac in 2023 are now underway. This is also the last year that Day Code - Chinese Almanac is published. I am very happy that this calendar has a perfect ending.
WFC : Nowadays, most people use smart phones or digital calendars to check the date, but I always find the calendar in Taiwan very interesting. Every day, it will tell you the auspicious times of today, and which things that could be achieved smoothly today, It’s a bit similar to the fortune today of the horoscope. I want to keep this tradition alive.
WFC : Tiles and iron windows are one of the representatives of Taiwan's traditional design. The square continuous geometric tile pattern and the iron window pattern formed by the bending and welding of iron bars constitute the layout design of Day Code - Chinese Almanac.
WFC : Female aged 25-45.
WFC : About 60 calendars were published in Taiwan last year, most of which were themed on daily affairs of life. Only this one was themed on the peasant calendar.
WFC : In this small piece of paper, in addition to telling you what month and day it is today, it will also tell you which hours are good today, which zodiac signs should be careful, which things will go smoothly today, and which ones put aside and will be done another day. They're like code.
WFC : Adobe illustrator.
WFC : Using risograph technology to print with random derangement to add a vintage feel.
WFC : I did the project by myself.
WFC : It is not easy to convert text into images and still convey the meaning clearly. The part about the image has been corrected until everyone can understand the meaning of the image.
WFC : I want more and more countries to know Taiwanese culture.
WFC : The printing method of this calendar is risograph, only two colors are used for each page. The color richer by blending colors and color density. A lot of work has been done on the color.
