TAFA ART BLOCK Sign System Design

AFA ART BLOCK, jointly created by Tianjin Hebei District Government and Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts, is the first urban renewal project in Tianjin that takes universities as the core and integrates four districts of ‘scenic spots, campuses, neighbourhoods and communities’, aiming to transform the old city into a comprehensive aesthetic landmark integrating culture, art, commerce, education and tourism, It aims to transform the old city into a comprehensive aesthetic landmark integrating culture, art, commerce, education and tourism.
The project consists of five plots, with Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts as the core IP. The design incorporates the iconic “arched” element from the academy’s representative architecture as a super symbol. From brand establishment to directional signage design, the aim is to create an integrated visual experience across the project space, reducing the cognitive difficulty of navigating the five dispersed plots.
The design balances overall cohesion with the principle of “preserving the old while rejuvenating.” Weathered steel and faux-stone artistic paint are used for the surface materials, preserving the texture of the old city’s streets and alleys. Each signage form has its own distinctive character, aiming to create a space identification system that combines functionality with artistic beauty.