Email:wh1966@126.com
Title
Tenured Professor
Education Background
1985: Graduated from the Art School Attached to Xi’an Academy of Fine Arts
1989: Graduated from the Department of Book Arts at the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University (formerly known as the Central Academy of Arts & Design), with a bachelor’s degree
2001: Advanced study and training at Dentsu in Tokyo, Japan, as part of the Ministry of Education’s China-Japan Advertising Exchange Program
Work Experience
1989-1999: Teaching at the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University (formerly known as the Central Academy of Arts & Design)
1999-Present: Teaching at the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University
Academic Services
Deputy Secretary-General of the China Packaging Federation Design Committee
Deputy Secretary-General of the China Association of Ethnic Folk Artists
Director of the Cultural and Creative Design Committee, China Association of Ethnic Folk Artists
Vice Chairman of the Beijing Design Society
Expert in the Expert Database for Commemorative Coin Design and Production, People’s Bank of China, Member of the China Precious Metal Commemorative Coin Review Committee
Member of the China Artists Association
Chairman of the National Union of Art Education Experts in Colleges and Universities
Member of the Binding Art Working Committee, Publishers Association of China
Member of the Professional Review Committees for China Design Yearbook and “China Star”
Executive Director of Package & Design
Researcher of Wu Guanzhong Art Research Center, Tsinghua University
Judge for multiple national major design competitions
Visiting Professor at domestic and international art institutions, including Shanghai Jian Qiao University International Design College
Visiting Professor at the Design School of Woosong University, South Korea, from 2007 to 2013
Graduation thesis reviewer at various domestic art universities, including Yunnan Arts University, Beijing Jiaotong University, and Minzu University of China
Research Interests
Research on typeface and overall book design
Research on graphic symbols and cultural and creative design
Academic Claims
Books are the carriers of text, and font design is a cornerstone of graphic design. How to tell a story with words, convey information through layout, and shape the structure of a book all showcase the skills and expertise of a great designer.
1. Chinese characters are the oldest form of writing still in use today. Each character carries its essence, with its shape, the grace of calligraphy, and its philosophical depth giving it a unique energy. The evolution of Chinese fonts is closely linked to the development of different materials and tools. The research covers various types, including calligraphy, printed fonts, screen fonts, and creative fonts. The main focus is on how Chinese characters, as graphic elements, express the connection between form and meaning. Chinese characters reflect the unique wisdom of the East. Their design rules and the connection between form and meaning carry an aesthetic and set of values deeply rooted in Eastern culture.
2. The Russian philosopher Herzen once said, “All of human life will be orderly recorded in books, and even if races, groups, or nations vanish, books will endure forever. Books have developed alongside humanity.” The overall book design includes text editing, layout design, and the integration and physical realization of materials. Text is a form of language expression, and through thousands of years of tradition, books have recorded human civilization and the history of human reading. Book design should be based on the principle of “reading,” using traditional printed books as the medium. It should reflect the beauty of craftsmanship, materials, and design. What matters is not just looking with your eyes and touching with your hands, but truly feeling with your heart. By “flipping” through the pages, a rhythmic flow of sight is created, setting the atmosphere for reading. New materials and technologies have opened up more possibilities. Today, independent designers love creating “experimental books” and “artist books,” handling everything from text editing to the final creative design themselves. These books transcend their commercial value and have become favorites among collectors.
3. “Big books” is a new concept born from deep cultural reflection, embodying a design philosophy that is simple, natural, minimalist, and human-centered. The history of book design is the history of graphic design. As time changes, innovations in design bring new transformations in creative methods, expression techniques, and forms. Designers integrate the concepts of harmonizing tradition with modernity, the East with the West, along with their attitudes, perspectives, insights, and aesthetic desires, seamlessly into their designs.
An excellent designer is a keen observer and experiencer of life. Lifestyle shapes design taste, while aesthetic preferences and style define the quality of design. Designers must strive to broaden their perspective and sharpen their vision, observing the world from unique angles and paying attention to the details of everyday life. Design is a reflection of a designer’s inner belief and expression. It’s about embracing life, blending living with design naturally and effortlessly, and striving for the state of “unity between heaven and humanity.” Design is more than just design.
Academic Achievements
Media Coverage
“Design Changes Life - Interview with Wang Hongwei,” China Weekly, 2015, Issue 3
“Wang Hongwei from the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University: One Word, One Story,” “City Window · Micro Perspective Video Column,” 2016
“Design Beyond Design - Interview with Wang Hongwei,” HUNAN BAOZHUANG, 2018, Issue 3
“The Design Story of the National Image Exhibition of the People’s Republic of China” (Exclusive Interview), China Art, People’s Fine Arts Publishing House, 2019
Exclusive Interview with Wang Hongwei, “Design with Emotion, Leaving a Fragrance,” Package & Design, 2017
Exclusive Interview with Wang Hongwei: “A Joyful and Festive Atmosphere Follows a Traditional Style”
“The Design Journey of the Commemorative Stamp for the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference,” China Philately News, 2019, etc.
“Stamp Design for ‘Building a Moderately Prosperous Society in All Aspects,’” 2020
Papers and Publications
Latest Sketching Samples for Decoration, China Railway Publishing House, 1990
Trendy Art Font Design, China Railway Publishing House, 1991
Graphic Composition, visual communication fundamentals textbook, People’s Fine Arts Publishing House
Font/Book/Design, the designated textbook for self-study in higher education, China Textile Publishing House, 1997
Traveling Through Time and Space (co-authored with Lyu Jingren, Zhao Jian), Baihuazhou Literature and Art Publishing House, 2006
“Three Stages of Book Graduation Design,” ZHUANGSHI 2007, Issue 7, 2007
“High Mountains, Flowing Water (Signage Evaluation),” ZHUANGSHI 2010, 2010
Books and Trees: Reflections on Book Art Teaching, China Youth Publishing House, 2013
Book Design - Graduation Design under My Supervision, Tsinghua University Press, 2014
Design and Life of Wang Hongwei, China Weekly, 2015
Journey of the Mind - Walking through the Lens (personal photography album, Shaanxi Normal University General Publishing House
Layout Without Borders - A Quest for Better Publication Design (Graduate Edition), Tsinghua University Press, 2021
Design Achievements
1. Book Design:
1) Artist Series Book Design:
Wu Guanzhong: Art Nurtures Life - Celebrating 100 Years of Wu Guanzhong Commemorative Album
Tsung-Dao Lee: Challenge in Physics Nobel Laureate
Zhang Ding: Zhang Ding’s Centennial Birth Exhibition Commemorative Album
Chang Shuhong: Grottoes Art in Xinjiang
Zheng Ke: Zheng Ke Commemorative Album
Chang Shana: Decorative Designs from China Dunhuang Murals (Volumes I & II, Pattern Volume), Yellow Sand and Blue Sky: Chang Shana's Memoirs, A Flower’s Message, A World in A Flower, 50 Years - Central Academy of Arts & Design in the Memory
Chen Hanmin: Vision Record 50: Chen Hanmin’s Art and Design Works, Chen Hanmin Logo Art
Lei Guiyuan: Collection of Lei Guiyuan’s Artistic Essays, Lei Guiyuan
Yu Zhizhen: Brush Intent and Vivid Colors: The Fine Brush Flower-and-bird Paintings of Yu Zhizhen on the Centenary of Her Birth
Huang Nengfu: Chinese Costumes: Seven Thousand Years of Chinese Costumes
Qiao Shiguang: The Colors of Lacquer and Ink: National Exhibition Tour of Half Century's Lacquer Painting Art from Mr. Qiao Shiguang Commemorative Album
Ding Shaoguang: Bird of Paradise: The Artistic Life of Ding Shaoguang
Wang Xuedong: Essence of Prague - A Retrospective of Wang Xuedong’s Sixty Years of Artistic Works
Liu Jude: Towards Beauty
Wu Guanying: Traveling and Sketching
Chen Hui: Fans and Voices, Little by Little
The Legacy of Ke Yan Painting - A Beautiful Heritage Commemorative Album
among others
2) Educational Series Book Design:
Faculty Artworks Collection of the Department of Painting, Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University, The Warmth of Education, Tsinghua University Centenary Celebration Series Album Design: Tsinghua, Art Tsinghua, Sshuimu Tsinghua Collection of An International Sculpture Exhibition on Campus, Heritage and Beyond (Large Album), International Bid Design for the New Campus of the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University, Overall Design of ZHUANGSHI (2004, 2019), Overall Design of the Catalogues for The Start of A Long Journey - The 7th Exhibition of Outstanding Works by Graduates of 2016 From Key Art Institutions of Higher Education in China
3) Main Book Design:
Encyclopedia of Plant Protection in China, Catalogues of Exhibition of National Image Design at the Beginning of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China, Overall Design and Production of the Paintings Collected at Ziguangge, Zhongnanhai, Luxury Gift Album of the Expo Milano, Italy, Large Album on the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, Large Gift Album of the National Power Dispatching Center Project, “Danqing Taoyun” Official Commemorative Album of the Beijing Olympic Games, Shangri-La 40th Anniversary Weekly Celebration Gift Album, “The Most Beautiful Hainan” Hainan International Tourism Island Commemorative Album, 20 Years - Commemorative Albums of the 10th and 20th Anniversary of the Chinese Economists 50 Forum, Commemorative Album of the One-Year Anniversary of the Asian University Alliance, Design of the Luxury Gift Album for China Fashion Week, 1000 Stories - The Most Beautiful Scenery of 30 Years of Duzhe (30th Anniversary Deluxe Gift Set of Duzhe Group), Illustrated Edition Print Fine Art Commemorative Album of Duzhe - Memory of the Republic of China, etc.
2. Stamp Design:
2024 Year of the Dragon New Year Commemorative Postcard and Stamp Design - Good Luck in the Year of the Dragon, 2022 Year of the Tiger New Year Stamp - Tiger Roars and Calls for a Lucky New Year, 2019 Commemorative Stamp Design for the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, 2014 Year of the Horse New Year Stamp, 2007 Women’s World Cup Stamp Design, Commemorative Stamp for the 100th Anniversary of Comrade Li Lisan’s Birth (Co-creator Yin Huili), etc.
3. Overall Visual Design of Exhibitions
Overall Visual Design of the Beijing Design Week - Exhibition of National Image Design at the beginning of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China, Overall Visual Design of the “Bloom in the Silk Road - National Biennial Exhibition of Art Works by Disabled College Students,” Overall Visual Design of the “Art Nurtures Life - Celebrating 100 Years of Wu Guanzhong,” Zhang Ding’s Centennial Birth Exhibition, 50th Anniversary of the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University - Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Mr. Pang Xunqin’s Birth, Pang Xunqin Works Exhibition and Art Education Seminar, etc.
4. Brand Image Design
China Media Group (CMG) Logo (Collaboration), Beijing Design Week Logo (Collaboration), New Generation CRH Rail Environmental Signage System, China Hi-Tech Group Corporation Logo, 2024 China Hundred Flowers Awards (Chengdu) Logo, China Great Wall Museum Logo, Duzhe Art Illustration Gallery Logo, Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine “Qinyao Group” and “Chang’an Medicine” Logos, Institute for Carbon Neutrality, Tsinghua University Logo, Guangzhou Huangpu District Group Logo, Peking University Convention Center Logo, Tsinghua University History Museum Logo, Center for Student Community Management and Services, Tsinghua University Logo, Medical Center of Tsinghua University Logo, Peking University School of Stomatology Logo, MOOC AP Program, Beijing Wuzi University, Wuhan College of Communication, China Printing Design Biennale, Beijing Public Fitness Trail Logo and Wayfinding Design, etc.
5. IP Cultural and Creative Design
1) Zodiac Cultural and Creative Series:
The 2024 CMG Spring Festival Gala “Dragon Bowl” Double Dragon Collection, 2024 CMG Spring Festival Gala “Chinese Dragon Plate,” 2022 CMG Year of the Tiger Lucky Gift Box “Taste of the Year,” 2021 CMG (Cultural and Creative) First Launch of Spring Festival Gala Zodiac Gift “Lucky Ox Spring Bowl,” 2020 Year of the Rat Commemorative Porcelain Plate, 2016 Year of the Monkey Silk Scarf, 2024 Tsinghua Impression Year of the Dragon Cultural and Creative Series, etc.
2) Other Cultural and Creative Series:
The People’s Bank of China’s 3g Gold and 30g Silver Commemorative Coins Featuring the Giant Panda National Park, 2018 Tencent Year-End Gift Pack, Tsinghua University Admissions Office Weekly Calendar
Project Review
Chinese Design Yearbook Volumes 6, 7, and 8 Bookbinding Selection
Poster Group Review for the National Vocational Skills Competition for Disabled People
Final Evaluation for the 15th and 16th “China Star” Design Awards in 2021 and 2023
Preliminary Evaluation for the 1st National Youth Graphic Design Competition (2022) - China Artists Association
Review for the 2021 TEDA Cup “International Youth Design Competition”
Review for the 2019 Award-Dragon Star International Green Design Competition
Review for the 2019 Beijing International Design Week Ink Art & Pattern - Special Works Exhibition of International Design
Review for the 2019 National College Students Chinese Film Poster Competition - China Film Artists Association
Review for the Gold and Silver Commemorative Coins of the 24th Winter Olympic Games
Expert Curator and Reviewer for the 2018 China Printing Art & Design Biennale
Main Awards
His typeface design won the Judge’s Prize at the 1993 Morisawa International Typeface Design Competition. Two of his posters received the Silver Award at the First China Design Exhibition. His poster works were also selected for the China-Japan-Korea Professors Invitational Exhibition. He won a selection award at the Second Chinese Graphic Design Competition. Additionally, two sets of his VI designs earned the China Excellent Brand Design Award, and his posters were featured in the China-Korea Poster Design Exhibition.
His book design works have received numerous awards and recognitions, including being selected for the Book Art in China Invitational Exhibition (5 Artists) in South Korea, participating in the China Book Design 40 Artists Exhibition in Beijing and Frankfurt, Germany, and being selected for the Cheongju International Handmade Book Invitational Exhibition in South Korea. He has also won the Gold Award in the Central Exhibition Area and the Bronze Award in the National Exhibition Area at the 4th National Bookbinding Art Exhibition, as well as the Silver Award in the Central Exhibition Area at the 5th National Bookbinding Art Exhibition. Additionally, his works earned the Silver Award and Excellence Award at the 6th National Bookbinding Art Exhibition. His book 50 Years - Memories of the Central Academy of Arts & Design won the Excellence Award (Gold Award) at the 7th National Bookbinding Art Exhibition, with several other works receiving Selection and Excellence Paper Awards. His book design work Heritage and Beyond won the Silver Award in the Art Design Category at the 10th National Exhibition of Fine Arts, while Decorative Designs from Dunhuang Murals was selected for the 12th National Exhibition of Fine Arts. Moreover, his Illustrated Edition Print Fine Art Commemorative Album of Duzhe - Memories of the Republic of China won the Outstanding Design Award from the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University.
The 30g round silver commemorative coin from the Giant Panda National Park project won the Second Prize for Excellent Design of the 2023 Annual Chinese Precious Metal Commemorative Coin Awards
Honors
He has been awarded several honors, including the “Top 100 Outstanding Young Design Talents” by the China Packaging Federation, the “Outstanding Contribution Award for Chinese Design,” and the Outstanding Contribution Award for “40 Years of Chinese Design.”
He was also nominated for the “Beijing Creative - Design Young Talent of the Year” by the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, the Beijing Municipal Communist Youth League, and the Beijing Youth Federation.
Additionally, he has received numerous Excellent Instructor Awards at various design competitions.
Teaching
Undergraduate Courses: Typeface Design, Layout Design, Book Design, Poster Design, Professional Practice, etc.
Graduate Courses: Book Design
School-wide Elective Courses: Layout Design
He guides undergraduate students in book design for their graduation projects every year.
The projects he guided his students to complete have won various awards, including the Shenzhen GDC Excellence Award, the Gold Award at the Key Colours Competition, and the Silver Award at the ICAD International Contemporary Youth Art Design Competition.
The graduation projects he supervised have won various awards, including the Gold Award at the Asian New Generation Design Exhibition, and have been collected by the Art Gallery of the Academy of Arts & Design as well as national-level museums. He has also mentored numerous graduate theses which have received excellence awards at both the department and university levels. Many of his students have been honored with Outstanding Graduate awards from both Tsinghua University and Beijing City.
In 2022, both the undergraduate and graduate students he mentored received awards for Excellent Graduation Designs.
In 2023, his graduate students won awards for Excellent Graduation Design and Excellent Graduation Thesis.
In 2024, the master student he mentored was honored as an Outstanding Graduate of Beijing, while his doctoral student was named an Outstanding Doctoral Graduate by Tsinghua University, whose doctoral dissertation Research on the Baiku Yao Patterns was awarded the Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation by Tsinghua University.
Graduate Supervision:
He has successfully supervised 43 master’s graduates and 2 doctoral graduates. Currently, he is mentoring 16 master’s students and 5 doctoral students.
Master’s Theses under His Guidance:
Research on the Systematic Visual Design of Cultural and Art Journals, Research and Design of Reading Experience for Interactive E-Magazines, Research on Chinese Comic Books of the 20th Century, Systematic Design of “Micro” Postage Stamps, Design and Development of Novelty Books for Children Aged 3-6, Research on Flower and Bird Typography Design, Calendar Design, Independent Publication Design Research, Research on the Creation of Chinese Comic Books in the 20th Century, Research on the Design of Traditional Chinese Folk Flower and Bird Typography, Research on Interactive Design for Printed Books, Design Research on a Calendar Series Based on the Chinese Zodiac, Visual Expression of “Old Beijing Impression” 3D Paper Art, Research on the Visual Image of Shaanxi Folk Paper-Cutting “Hairpin Dolls,” Design Research on Personalized Artist Books, Development of Derivative Products for the Year of the Monkey, Systematic Design and Research on Magazines, Research on the Application of Miao Ethnic Motif Symbols in Guizhou, Research on the Expression of Chinese Characters, Research on Artist’s Books - A Case Study on the 10th Anniversary of GLOBAL TIMES, Design of Popular Science Picture Books on China’s High-Speed Railway, Design of Graphic Symbols Based on Identity Labels - A Case Study on “Ethnic Phenomenon”, Building the “Space” of Book Reading - A Case Study on the Application of I. M. Pei’s Architectural Design in Book Design, Facial Symbolism in the New World: The Visual Expression of Face Symbols During the Covid-19 Epidemic, Research on the Application of Visual Representation of Shaanxi Folk Music in Book Design, Research on Hand-Drawn Infographic Design - A Case Study on the Ecological Evolution of Whale Fall, Research on Innovative Design of Trendy Toys - A Case Study on the “Fablass” Design Practice, Research on the Creation of Popular Science Picture Books on the Migration of White Cranes, Research and Creation of 3D Paper Art Based on the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Railway, Research on “Three-dimensional” Typeface Design Based on Clerical Script, Exploring the Style of Major Theme Popular Science Picture Books – A Case Study on the “404” Atomic Bomb Test, Research on Space Science Infographic Design – A Case Study on China’s Space Mission Badges, Research on the Creation of Picture Books for Mongolian Folk Story “The White Horse of Suhe,” Experimental Research on Bronze Figurines from Sanxingdui, Graphical Design of the “Classical Dance Movement Trajectory” in China, Research on the Design of the Year of the Rabbit Zodiac Image, Design of Liuyang Fireworks Graphic Symbol System, and Research on the Design of Neuropsychology-Themed Tabletop Games.
Doctoral Dissertations under His Guidance:
Research on the “Tree” Shape in the Yellow River Basin, Research on the Baiku Yao Patterns
