Abstract:
Long'an County is situated in the northwest of Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang
Autonomous Region, China, boasts a rich heritage of Zhuang ethnic minority rice
farming culture and is recognized as the originating center of the rice cultivation. The ancestors of the Zhuang people in Long'an developed a comprehensive "Na" (rice
field) cultural system encompassing language, clothing, architecture, diet, and
festivals, all rooted in rice-farming practices. This cultural foundation has shaped
Long'an's efforts in cultural preservation, inheritance, and economic development. In
recent years, many cities have enhanced their urban image by integrating regional
and historical cultural elements into visual design. Examples include Hong Kong, an
international metropolis blending traditional Chinese "dragon culture" with modern
aesthetics; Hangzhou, a renowned provincial capital drawing inspiration from West
Lake landscapes and classical garden architecture; and Guilin, a distinctive tourist city in Guangxi, characterized by its ink-wash painting-inspired mountain-and-water
imagery. These successful cases offer valuable insights into urban visual identity
design principles and methodologies. Currently, Long'an County possesses a
preliminary foundation for urban image design, yet it lacks precise positioning and
systematic planning in terms of professional execution and cultural depth. This
serves as the starting point for this research and practice.
The objectives of this study are as follows: First, to investigate the
historical evolution and cultural background of Zhuang ethnic minority rice farming
culture in Long'an County; Second, to analyze the manifestations, symbolic features,
and spiritual essence of Zhuang ethnic minority rice farming culture in Long'an, extracting relevant cultural elements for application in urban image design; Third, to
examine urban image design zprinciples and theoretical frameworks, applying them
to Long'an County; Fourth, to develop a comprehensive urban visual identity and a
series of visual media applications for Long'an, embodying the cultural spirit of
Zhuang ethnic minority rice farming and enhancing the region's cultural soft power.
Research Methods: Literature review, Case study analysis, Field research (on-site
investigation, interviews, and questionnaires), Interdisciplinary research. Theoretical
Frameworks: Wu Bing'ans folkloristics, Charles S. Peirces semiotics, Xu Hengchuns
design semiotics, Visual identity design theories by Tan Yong, Gong Yunfei, and Hao
Miao,Rudolf Arnheims Art and Visual Perception theory
Research Process and Findings: On one hand, through literature review
and field research (including interviews and surveys with rice farming culture
researchers, government officials, cultural workers, intangible heritage inheritors, local residents, and tourists), this study explores the historical context of Zhuang ethnic minority rice farming culture in Long'an. By applying Wu Bing'ans folkloristics and Peirces semiotics, the research analyzes the cultural expressions and symbols of Zhuang ethnic minority rice farming, summarizing its spiritual essence. On the other hand, through literature review and case studies of urban visual identities in New York, Hong Kong, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Wuhan, and Guilin, this study synthesizes Peirces semiotics to derive three key urban image design principles: Identifiable Symbolism, Ethnic Cultural Symbolism, Regional Symbolism.Additionally, three design methodologies are proposed: Brand Conceptualization through Symbols, Abstract Graphic Symbolization, Color Imagery Symbolization.Guided by these principles and integrating Xu Hengchuns design semiotics, visual identity design theories, and Arnheims Art and Visual Perception, this study develops a systematic urban visual identity for Long'an County. The design centers on the brand concept of "Hometown of Na Culture," featuring the "Stone Shovel" as the primary graphic symbol, green and gold as the color scheme, and "Ox" and "Bird" as mascots. The project further extends into various visual applications, including: office and
administrative systems, advertising and promotional systems, product packaging systems, environmental and wayfinding systems, Tourism and souvenir systems.
Through this comprehensive visual identity design, the study aims to express the
cultural essence of Long'ans rice farming heritage, thereby boosting cultural
dissemination, economic growth, and tourism development.