Author: James Evans
Taiwan’s culture and design industry have always attracted attention and interest. Taiwanese culture possesses diverse characteristics, blending elements of Eastern and Western cultures, showcasing a vibrant and creative national image. Taiwan’s design industry also demonstrates high standards and creativity, with many internationally renowned designers and companies originating from Taiwan. Today, we would like to introduce Yichun Lin, a well-known Taiwanese graphic designer currently working in New York. Recently, she has received numerous international honors for designing the visual identity system for the upcoming completion of the new main branch of the Taichung Public Library in 2025. This project has been recognized as an excellent work in the Taichung Public Library CIS Identity System Competition, A’Design, C2A International Competition, Muse Creative Awards Platinum, and CQ International Awards.
The system will be applied primarily to all municipal libraries in Taichung City, including a uniquely designed logo and typography, as well as a set of visual style guidelines aimed at enhancing the overall image and brand influence of the libraries. She believes that a brand’s identity system determines the overall image of the brand and hopes that through her design, she can help more people understand the brand’s concepts and stories. The international recognition her work has received not only represents her personal talent and achievements but also reflects the competitiveness and status of Taiwan’s design industry in the global market. The Taiwanese design industry plays an important role in promoting Taiwan’s cultural exports and innovation. The success of this project sets an example and benchmark for the Taiwanese design industry, helping more outstanding designers and companies gain international recognition and market share. Additionally, the creativity and design concepts of this project provide inspiration for other libraries and cultural institutions, contributing to global cultural development and exchange.
Yichun Lin is a designer full of affection for her hometown, and her works fully embody her love for Taiwanese culture and localities. The new main branch of the Taichung Public Library will be located in the Shui Nan Economic and Trade Park, serving as a new landmark that combines urban and forest elements and the first dual-library design that combines a library with an art museum in Taiwan. Yichun Lin incorporates the Chinese character “中” (Zhong), representing Taichung, and merges it with books and library architecture. The block-like presentation highlights the distinctive characteristics of the spatial separation in the building, while the wavy shape resembles the enjoyment of being immersed in books, symbolizing the transparency and fluidity of the library’s architecture. In the standard characters for “Taichung Public Library,” each character features a small notch and angled corners to complement the logo’s design, adding a sense of playfulness and establishing a unique typography style for the library. In terms of colors, Yichun Lin chose green as the primary color, with white, gray, and black as secondary colors. These colors highlight the atmosphere of forests and cultural spaces, creating a fresh and clear brand image.
During the creation process, Yichun Lin actively gathered information and conducted research, providing ample material for her work. Although she couldn’t conduct research at the library in person, she used the simulated renderings provided by the official channels to gather information, showcasing her creativity and determination in the face of challenges. Yichun Lin’s professional design skills have gained wide recognition from the professional judges of the Taichung City Government. Her work stood out during the initial evaluations and ultimately achieved excellent results in fierce competition. Behind this success is Yichun Lin’s passion and perseverance in design, as well as her in-depth research and perfect presentation of her work.
Since she was young, Yichun Lin has known about her natural talent and passion for art and design. During her academic journey, she frequently showcased her creative abilities. Influenced by her father, she ventured to the United States after graduating and immersed herself in the field of graphic design at the Academy of Art University. Subsequently, she works as a graphic designer under the renowned designer Peter Arnell who designed the current Pepsi logo. Her clients include well-known brands such as Tencent, Amazon, JFK Airport, Mister, Ramp, and Cultra. In the future, Yichun Lin will continue to pursue her dreams and create more exceptional works, making significant contributions to Taiwanese culture and the design industry.