Taiwan NOW
Service:
Summary
In 2019, JL created the main visuals for Taiwan NOW, a festival aimed at promoting contemporary art between Taiwan and Japan. A visual language that worked for both cultures was established under the theme “Flowers and blessings”. This visual identity was later applied to the entrance hall of the virtual exhibition. The cultural exchange also speaks of the friendship between Taiwan and Japan.
Mission
“When sending our well-wishes to Japan, how do we show our sincerity and retain our distinct Taiwan flavor?” Taiwan NOW is a cultural exchange program jointly established by Taiwan and Japan. “Knot” is a meaningful symbol shared between the two cultures and became the main design element for the visuals. In Japan, a rope-like decoration known as the "Mizuhiki" knot is commonly seen in festivals, on amulets and envelopes. In Taiwan, the various cultural groups such as the aborigines, Han, Minnan, and Hakka also use rope knots woven into various decorations to symbolize the connection between people and marriage blessings.
“Weave a flower of prosperity together."
Solution
The exuberance and vitality of the Taiwanese are conveyed in the visuals of the knots. The lines are shaped like people dancing and they form a multi-hued thriving flower to signify the well wishes for Japan.
Logo Design
With “knot” as the concept, in a series of brushstrokes, the logo is formed though the interweaving of lines. The blessings are weaved into the logo, conveying the well wishes for Japan.
Key Visual Design
The different postures of the dancers that shaped the flowers, placed far or near in the visuals, brings variety to the series of posters. Main characteristics: The colorful lines portrayed three different poses - embrace, connection and blooming. Together they form a flower at full bloom, signifying the shared prosperity of Taiwan's diversity. Tokyo venue: Formed by many people embracing, the flower buds opening slowly. Signifying art and culture coms from the gathering of people. Virtual exhibition: The lines where two flowers intersect, people dancing hand-in-hand, to signify the exchanges and connections between different groups and cultures. Kaohsiung venue: The image of flowers blooming and people constantly reaching outwards to show that the different arts are thriving and prospering.
Application Design
Promo
Human Flower
"Human Flower" is the theme of the virtual entrance hall, derived from Taiwan NOW's theme "Flowers and Blessings”. It reflects the spirit of the exhibition - “ to create a flower of prosperity together”, and forming the concept for the interactive experience of the exhibition. JL DESIGN invited creatives from various fields in Taiwan and Japan. The 3D animation studio TMRRW, film director WU Chung-lun with a background in photography and animation, dance troupe "Les Petites Choses Production" that integrates dance into daily life, and music director WANG Hsi-wen, who is ever on the lookout for the different possibilities of sound. Last but nit least is NAXS Corp, specializing in virtual reality. Together, they created a vibrant virtual garden. With the friendly exchanges on message walls between Japan and Taiwan as the concept for the virtual exhibition, and through the movement of the dancers on the videos forming “Human Flower”, participants can experience the joy that comes from life itself.
Aphrodite
The production team of "Aphrodite" was composed of many outstanding creatives and theater practitioners from both Taiwan and Japan. It was one of the important performances of Taiwan NOW. For this production, JL created the poster designs, DMs, and lyric books based on the main visuals produced by Japanese artist YANAGI Miwa.
Credit
Summary
Mission
Solution
Credit
Taiwan HYPE
An exhibition visualizing how industries in Taiwan will innovate through technology.
TaiwanPlus
