A main function of modem graphic design is communication via visual figure and image. Graphic arts with symbolic features are not only abstract but also expressible. It reflects cognition of aesthetic intention. The study of symbolization of expressible features in graphic design and art can fully develop the usage of graphics in visual communication. Dongba characters have a thousand years'history. They are the early form of origin of language. They are still used as primal pictorial symbols. They contain ancient cultural information. Dongba characters can be used for communications as any linguistic form. Over the long course of history, they began to become a graphic symbol system and the characters contain symbolized meaning of information, they have a feature of dualism with both language and graphic aspect. The characters of Dongba word-formation and their graphic features provide a possibility to use it as a kind of visual symbol in modem graphic design. In this article, I will begin from an analyzation on the principle of the characters of Dongba'word-formation and their graphic features then search a joined point between them and modem graphic design. I will also attempt to search and create individualized and stylized visual language through using the characters of Dongba as design elements in their symbolized expressible feature.
With the construction and development of design disciplines and theoretical discussion in depth, some of the problems become more practical significance , design nationalization is one of the important topics. Nationalization should be a tradition that continues in reality , there is no culture of their own heritage, it would not be influenced by others totally nationality . The so-called national character design and the traditional inheritance is largely intertwined . Most scholars have recognized that the traditional understanding of national character and national symbols should go beyond simple for embezzlement, and thus more in-depth and specific . How to inherit in the design tradition and culture allowed to truly become alive stretches , rather than move from museum specimens ? Such major theoretical issues that we need to be explored from various specific aspects of the implementation . Dongba characters a thousand years of history, and is still being used , which itself carries the ancient Naxi culture information . Meanwhile , in contemporary design , and its association with the graphic design for specific inspect the one hand, hoping to have the possibility of the evolution of graphic design inspiration , but also on the design of another nationality , tradition has specific , in-depth understanding.
Just more than a thousand words Dongba characters, but unusually rich words can fully express the delicate emotions, but also narrative description. Complex myriad of things alone these few hieroglyphic writing and retained the scriptures (Figure l-1) There are two Million copies. Voluminous scriptures, rich in content, involved with all aspects of philosophy, history, astronomy, religion, witch doctor, folklore, literature, art, etc., called the Encyclopedia of the Ancient Naxi society.
Figure 1—1 Scriptures in the characters of Dongba
Figure 1—2 Scriptures in the characters of Dongba
In the history of the Naxi, the 7th century to the 13th century, is a more important period, Naxi society had a greater span of the historic evolution of Dongba culture is an important historical stage rise. Especially in the western region of the Naxi, regardless of politics, economy, culture has a larger development. It was during this period produced Dongba hieroglyphs. Although it's difficult to really test form, but academia has formed a more consistent view that it is in the 7th century after the formation of the Lijiang Naxi settlers, and the formation and Dongba Dongba hieroglyphs and Dongba has a direct relationship.Dongba ang Dongba Religion appear can be said to be the first Naxi literature from oral literature leap to one of the decisive factors Dongba written literature . Dongba hieroglyphs emergence of literature can be said that the rapid development of Naxi second decisive factor. Naxi Dongba hieroglyphs make oral to written literature has transformed so many ancient literary mouthpiece to improve and improve , and the emergence of new works , and better preservation, development and dissemination of the Naxi ancient literary heritage . Dongba hieroglyphs generation and application , for the development of Naxi literature has far-reaching significance. Dongba characters has been a thousand years of history, along with the development of social interaction and ethnic Naxi culture, some of the late Ming and early Lijiang Dongba , creating a gba text . GEBA is a disciple means, gba East Bashi Luo Wen mean grandchild create text , gba Dongba culture is the transformation and development. Dongba text with different, Guillain text is written in a simple text strokes , a character is generally a complete syllable words are syllables . In the configuration word , GEBA Dongba characters often attached to the surrounding text to help phonetic . Naxi ancient text to create two , but both still use the ancient text , it is indeed a miracle in the world history text development.
Graphic design smallest visual elements point, line, surface has a broad application in Dongba text, mainly in the use of the affix. Characters and affix a process augmented ingredients, does not have the shape and characteristics of the unity of sound and meaning, basically can not stand alone configuration word, play a supporting semantic features.
1.Point:
The first is the number of many, the most commonly used way of adding suffix is added at the point of configuration process, and the number of points more often, which means that any number of people or things as much as plus point approach can be adopted.
The second Expressed powdered or granular object.Point is also often used to represent a small dot at the same time a larger number of things.
The third Expressed liquid configuration word Dongba characters, but also to express the meaning of the liquid in the form of additional points.
2.Line
Dongba text, change the line of the most abundant, its semantic function is also up, different shapes, different numbers, different positional relationship between the line play different auxiliary semantic functions defined in the Private course.
The first one is single line.
The second line is interactive: interactive combination of lines can produce new semantic features can be divided into three types of meaning. Expressed dispute or discuss this interaction line is usually used in conjunction with the shape of the two, in a person's mouth or head next to the plus line, can represent a variety of sounds emitted by people, they discuss the dispute or to speak out in the shape of two and two lines cross.
The third type is the most common Dongba characters flash polyline.(Expressed shaking or trembling;Expressed light-emitting objects are all Expressed on the grapheme in the object plus;Various representations sounds, people, animals and nature;Expressed the smoke, gas, blisters, smoke, gas with rising resistance, blisters illiquid)
3.Surface
A variety of area symbols also Dongba characters affix an indispensable part.
Each shape,Almost represents the Dongba characters ideographic system without specific variety of things.
Point, line, surface and other abstract symbols occupy an important position in the word system configuration Dongba characters, although they can not watch a single meaning,But for the purposes of drawing highly literal, with these abstract symbols auxiliary table justice, increased the expression of more abstract sense possible.
The molded, through its own pictograph simplification. First, the basic word constitutes pictograph prime minus province there are a lot of variants. Second, these institutions every word Su province is gradually reduced, and it showed two aspects: First, in order to partially replace all, one by the concrete and abstract, lines of.Picto simplification simplify their shape, which is a simplified method to meet the requirements of simple notation adopted. More precisely. Simplification is a major trend in text molded development. The difference is that with the characters, font does not greatly simplify the Dongba characters weaken its figurative degree. But remained pictographic ideographic characteristics.
In addition to the graphic Dongba characters constitute symbolic expression using basic information grapheme outside, in order to more fully and effectively record the language, using the method of deformation molded through differentiation grapheme to express richer content. Dongba characters are based on the deformation elements molded the basis of the basic words, by twisting, cracking, displacement, Duanzhe, bend, stretch, zoom and repeat like the way the transformation of grapheme molded to produce new grapheme.New grapheme generated from basic word elements, its shape and meaning between the old grapheme to have some relevance. Although the structure is similar means, without any change in the sound and meaning of the word vegetarian variant different deformation grapheme is to give a new sound and meaning of the text, and font variants showed differences only words written on plain molded.Such differences have no fixed object, or simply because the writer writing habits change condition is changed, an unconscious behavior of the writer.So the number one grapheme variant are numerous, but do not alter in any sense a variant of the basic molded of its basic molded. The deformation of the font is a grapheme generation method to compensate for the limitations of the basic grapheme created characters and enhance the use of semantic functions.The deformation of the font is a grapheme generation method to compensate for the limitations of the basic grapheme created characters and enhance the use of semantic functions. This transformation of clarity of purpose, molded characteristics change significantly after the transformation and to clearly reflect the new meaning, and thus belongs to those who have created characters transformation behavior of consciousness. Deformation font is basically different meanings into the grapheme level of configuration or structure together with other grapheme word, is a complete transformation of the basic elements of the word rather than haphazard.
Characteristics of Dongba characters symbols
Dongba characters in addition to the graphic symbol pictograms lookalike characteristics lies in its unique:
1.Graphic symbols Dongba characters has their own unique performance objects and expressions.In the course of human knowledge, in addition to clearly realize figurative information and emotional experience, there are still a large number of volatile unspeakable thoughts, ideas such as rational content.
2.Graphic symbols Dongba characters has a unique expressive.Graphic symbol is a special symbol in the form of the language is different from sign.
Both feature graphic symbols Dongba characters are interrelated, Dongba characters of symbolic thinking so that we came to realize the meaning of artistic creation. In-depth understanding and analysis from the perspective of semiotics Dongba characters, rather than being a simple misappropriation of traditional culture as decorative patterns, can be more effective in the graphic design process, accurate play graphics visual communication capabilities.
Development of graphic design
The graphics are a form of visual communication, and was originally used to express human thought, record events visual symbols, exists in various stages since the beginning of human civilization, with a distinctive style of performance and mental state of the ideology and culture of different periods. With the development of modern graphics into a comprehensive art form, set modeling, information, culture, and ideology in one of modern life and aesthetic expression.Different times in different political, economic, religious, ideological, etc. have an important impact on the evolution and development of graphics. Graphical different periods there is a clear difference in the aesthetic sense, cultural patterns, etc.
Evolution of symbols
Evolution is basically a symbol from the original painting and graphic symbols - such a process structured graphics symbol combinations - hieroglyphics - abstract words - reproduce graphics and symbols.
Dongba pictographic symbols from the text, refers to something symbolic, knowing symbols, phonetic symbols, defined by symbols, symbols, six ways under the guise of composition, is similar with the same hieroglyphic characters. Dongba characters to create the beginning, with the same characters are evolved from drawings, pictograms, but the evolution of the situation is different. Although the evolution of Chinese characters has always maintained the original painting or symbol content, but in the formation of more text, the text in the original constitution, based on various combinations of them, in order to form more words, but with the development of national culture and general long-term cultural, character development today has become more mature and complete the text. The Dongba characters also experienced millennium change, although there are simplified phenomenon, but remain at relatively primitive graphics state.
Graphic design is complex, it is neither a science nor an art entirely. Semiotic method to resolve modern graphic design, its essence is the cultural values to convey practical function as the core, but also includes aesthetic function. The purpose of design is to cultural values contained in the language of art and design faithfully communicated to the recipient. For this reason, the design must meet the semiotic rules complexity of the complexity of the design rules, the study of these rules are based on graphical design systems.
Dongba characters associated with the performance characteristics of graphic symbols
In the field of modern design, graphic design major functions of the visual image of the bearer of cultural communication and transmission of information. Graphic Arts has symbolic characteristics, both abstract functions and is expressive, reflecting the perception of aesthetic intentions. The performance characteristics of symbolic art graphic design studies, can give full play to the role of graphics in visual communication.Of configuration features children Dongba characters and graphics features unique to offer the possibility of its use as a graphic visual symbol to modern graphic design. Study the laws of configuration, the visual experience as well as traditional and modern aesthetic, use it as a design element of its symbolic performance characteristics, seeking to create a visual language and a personalized form of expression, stylized exploration is undoubtedly the more meaningful attempt.
For design, the traditional Dongba characters should be re- designed and re- designed to create a higher level , rather than simply copying and replication. If we try to apply to the Dongba text logo design , graphic packaging design and small business environments indicating system , perhaps indicating system than the current graphics and text used in a more effective , because it has relative to other characters and simplified Chinese characters pronunciation do not have the intuitive features easy to understand . On the cultural level , the Chinese contemporary visual communication design need to fully explore the essence of traditional Chinese culture redesign elements in the design of domestic or international markets , reflecting the unique cultural characteristics of Chinese culture in the region . Diversified international society, the essence of national culture is the most that we need to organize and excavations . China 's visual communication design aesthetic is to take the nation as the center of national culture connotation , which reflect the spirit of traditional aesthetic culture , in order to obtain recognition of the international design community . As we enhance the consciousness of the Chinese local culture , and our "native language " design theory is bound to mature, Dongba characters in modern visual communication design will exude charm.
