Future Notes II: Methods of the Present

FEAT. MUTURE FRIENDS

September 7, 2022

Future Notes invites student members to share their creative practices during the first 1–2 years after graduation. In this edition, three emerging designers and their invited collaborators explore methodologies that blend AI, new media, and traditional techniques, shaping a design philosophy where the old and new coexist harmoniously.

Chen Chun-Chi:
AI-Assisted Typeface Design

Chen Chun-Chi’s research into typeface design explores the use of pix2pix as a tool for Traditional Chinese character creation. Based on Conditional Generative Adversarial Networks (cGANs), he trained models to learn and replicate the graphic intricacies of Chinese typefaces. Through interviews with typeface designers and extensive study of Chinese character design literature, Chen sought to navigate the potential of AI in advancing the development of Chinese typography during a period when AI applications in visual design are still largely exploratory.

His research deepened his understanding of typeface design logic and details, while sparking an interest in applying generative tools to design practices. Chen envisions a future where type designers actively advocate for open-source technologies, enabling tools and methods to address the cultural and industrial challenges posed by the time-intensive nature of Traditional Chinese typeface design.

Liu Guan-Lin: Rulers of the World

Liu Guan-Lin frequently incorporates images generated by new media tools into his graphic design, creating a sense of dissonance that balances absurdity and intrigue. His project Rulers of the World uses Python to scrape global presidential portraits, blending their features through StyleGAN to sequentially generate the “ultimate ruler of the world.” Driven by a desire to develop unique creation pathways, Liu experiments with sensory media to generate original visual materials, finding the conventional practice of starting a design project by searching for references uninspiring.

Chu Guan-Cheng: Bug Eyes

“Our memories shape who we are.”

In Bug Eyes, Chu Guan-Cheng parallels the metamorphosis of insects with the structure of his own memories, collaging established facts and redrawing them into new recollections. Using traditional tools, he works through a cycle of observing, touching materials, translating, and re-observing, allowing his works to transcend personal attachments and become external, objective entities—media that catalyse self-reflection.

For Chu, graphic design is a way to embody his current mental state, creating images that convey emotions intuitively, which fuels his passion for the discipline. He aspires to further integrate experimental creations into society through practical work, exploring how to reconcile diverse thought processes into cohesive forms.



Planned and co-organized by Winfield Chang.
Published: September 7, 2022. Last Updated: September 25, 2022.