A New Look for Rua dos Mercadores
2008
Cultural study, VIsual identity, illustration, website
(student project)
Rua dos Mercadores was ever the most buzzling business centre in Macao during Qing Dynasty. Located in Macao's famous UNESCO cultural heritage area -Senado Square, this street has been going downhill due to the highly growing up of Gaming-leaded Tourism of the city. People start to forget Rua dos Mercadores by being distracted by endless material joy.
Moreover, the street was warned to move out the street since their shabby looking was considered to ruin the heritage. With the problem of less and less business and worries of kicking out of the place they have been doing business for few decades, the project here to reveal the thoughts of the stall owners and suggestions for them to make life easier.
The project includes: the conversation between the owners and me, video of the daily life in Rua dos Mercadores, three little ways to make their outlook more vibrant and up-to-date by design approach.
Graphic Design: Monkee Lei
Interaction Design: Monkee Lei
Video: Monkee Lei
Text & research: Monkee Lei
Language: Traditional Chinese
FIELD TRIP LIVE DRAWING
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
Re-skin the packaging bag
Tape for marking space
Re-skin the fabric pattern of the stall (with water-resistant material)
PATTERN DEVELOPMENT
Concept: Number "8" means wealth in Chinese traditional culture. Also the diagonal flower-like symbol is referenced from the copper coin in ancient China. Both symbols have a meaning of "bringing luck". And for the colour, the pinkish magenta and warm yellow are inherited from the colours of the surrounding buildings' facade.
Concept: "Chinese meets Portuguese". The Azulejo textile from Portugal are famous for its vibrant colour and pattern combination. While in China, the blue-and-white ceramic textiles with flower-like pattern are also renowned in the world. Lotus, is the representative flower of the city. Therefore, I'm happy to mix all these together for a hybrid city like Macau.
Concept: Bamboo-like pattern is inspired by the original stall built by bamboos. It is one of the signature elements of the stall area surrounded by the famous tourist attractions.
DESIGN PROGRESS
DESIGN OUTCOME
