Gongche Sketch Book
Gongche Sketch Book is an interactive book about Gongche notation, a traditional Chinese musical notation system. The book presents a redesigned set of Gongche characters, refined in stroke direction, thickness and size for clarity. A 30-note hand-cranked music box movement is built into the book structure. A punched paper tape matching the notation is inserted into the movement, and turning the crank produces the written pitches. The bare wire hardcover binding exposes the spine and the layered pages. The design lets readers study Gongche notation by sight, sound and touch.
Gongche Sketch Book Impart Wisdom by Xueqing Chen has been highlighted as a creative illustration of communication design by the A' Design Awards. Gongche Sketch Book Impart Wisdom won the Silver A' Design Award in Print and Published Media Design in 2024. The A' Print and Published Media Design Award is a highly prestigious international design prize that honors excellent design of brochures, posters, magazines, catalogs, flyers, business cards, billboards, books and more.
