Xicang Market Book is a meticulously crafted publication that documents and preserves the cultural heritage of a century-old marketplace in Xi'an, China, distinguished by its innovative approach to capturing urban transformation through print media. This comprehensive work, which earned the Silver A' Design Award in Print and Published Media Design category, is structured into eight distinct chapters that systematically explore various facets of market life: location, market structure, signage, stalls, oral histories, merchandise, pricing, and vendors. The book's design philosophy emphasizes minimalism to authentically represent the marketplace's essence, incorporating unique material choices such as using actual advertising flyer paper from the market for specific chapters, creating a tactile connection to the documented space. Measuring 185mm x 55mm x 240mm, the publication serves as both a historical record and a design artifact, chronicling the rapidly disappearing traditional market culture in urban China. The project, completed between April 2015 and August 2018, represents a significant contribution to urban documentation and cultural preservation, particularly noteworthy for its attention to vernacular design elements such as handwritten signs and the organic relationship between people, objects, and space. The book's design approach prioritizes authenticity over artifice, allowing the raw, unmodified character of the market to emerge through careful documentation and thoughtful presentation, making it a valuable resource for understanding China's urban transition and preserving local cultural memory.
urban documentation, cultural preservation, market culture, vernacular design, print media, Chinese typography
CITATION : "Adam Dawson. 'Xicang Market Book.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=447998 (Accessed on June 28, 2025)"
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