The Hong Kong Journey of Time is a new annual event by the Hongkongers Association of Calgary. The event recreates 1970s Hong Kong street markets in Calgary. It celebrated and shared the rich heritage of Hong Kong, featuring traditional foods, historical exhibits, and live performances.
This project focused on creating a strong, cohesive visual identity that could live naturally across exhibition space, printed materials and keepsakes while maintaining warmth, clarity, and visual consistency.
Brand & Visual Designer
Visual identity, illustration system, exhibition graphics, printed materials
March 2024 - June 2024
The brand identity incorporates elements from 1970s Hong Kong street markets. The logo featured red, blue, and white - the signature colours of the iconic “red-white-blue” nylon canvas easily found in Hong Kong streets, symbolizing resilience and community.
Rather than aiming for literal realism, the visuals were designed to feel friendly, expressive, and instantly recognizable. We want to create an emotional connection that resonates across generations without overwhelming viewers with detail.
I drew inspiration from a collection of vintage graphics with muted colours.
The font used on old street signs in Hong Kong is unknown, so I selected typefaces that resemble it.
A illustration system was created to depict everyday Hong Kong objects, places, and gestures, which were inspired by iconic objects from 1970s Hong Kong.
The focus was on:
- Consistent stroke weight and proportions
- A limited, harmonious colour palette
All printed pieces were designed with both visual appeal and clarity in mind. Exhibition maps prioritize readability while retaining the exhibition’s visual tone.
To enhance engagement and make it more fun, the event had a "Stamp Rally" for six checkpoints at the venue. At each checkpoint, there was a poster with a brief explanation of the history behind the subject. I designed 6 stamps to be placed at the checkpoints. Visitors could collect the stamps on a stamp card and answer the questions to redeem a sticker sheet.
Over 1,000 folders and stickers were handed out, and extra stamp cards had to be printed to meet the high demand on the event’s second day!
I'm so thrilled to have had the chance to bring Hong Kong's vibrant culture to life through design. I wish to take this opportunity to thank Hongkongers Association of Calgary for the collaboration and trust. It's been absolutely heartwarming to see how much everyone loved it - from the excited visitors to all the buzz online. This experience has truly been a joy from start to finish. ✨
