Research into the possibility of harmonisation between Latin letters and Chinese characters in an urban visual system

This practice-based research thesis uses the design of a dual script typeface for the Latin and Chinese writing systems to find ways of improving visual harmonisation and legibility in information signage in transit systems. Currently, the Chinese transport system lacks standards for ensuring uniformity. As a result, the unconsidered use of incompatible Latin and Chinese typefaces for signage may interfere with readability and legibility. Such an approach is also inappropriate for projecting an international image for modern Chinese society and maintaining public perception and trust. This research includes a review of relevant literature resources, qualitative and quantitative methods, and the outcomes of the practice process. An appendix provides a detailed account of the working practice. The findings of this research identified common features in the proportion and structure of Latin letters and Chinese characters. The type design practice confirmed the feasibility of applying similar strokes from these writing systems within a geometric common grid system, to design a typeface that gives an optically balanced appearance to Latin letters and Chinese characters when used together. The thesis makes both theoretical and practical contributions to the field of multi-script typeface design, providing a common design principle to assist in the design of dual Latin-Chinese typefaces, improving their visual harmonisation while retaining legibility and cultural identity. This principle may be applicable not only to the Latin and Chinese writing systems, but also for other writing systems that may require the design of dual-or multi-script fonts. This research also provides an insight into the application of a geometric approach to create systematic practice tools to improve working efficiency and concludes that so long as designers find the commonality between different scripts and respect the traditional culture and rules, this is a viable method for improving the visual harmonisation between different writing systems.