DuShu Awards

Born out of a deep concern for and respect toward Taiwan’s independent bookstore culture, the Shu-Mei Cultural and Arts Foundation launched the “DuShu Awards” in 2022. Independent bookstores are far more than places that sell books—they are the embodiment of their owners, carrying unique personalities, convictions, and ways of life, and serving as vital hubs for urban culture and the human spirit.
From the moment we took on the task of designing the “DuShu Awards”promotional materials, we joined the judges and organizing team in visiting selected bookstores across Taiwan. Through face-to-face conversations and careful observation, we sought to capture the unique “soul” of each bookstore. We believe that—where there are people, there are stories; where there are stories, there are books; and through books, more readers are nurtured, each enriching the distinctive landscape of bookstores.
This series of promotional designs draws inspiration from the daily life of bookstores and elements of printing and publishing—typographic symbols, paper textures, printing details—transforming them into tangible copywriting and visual motifs that reflect the spiritual connection between bookstore and owner. Every visual element is both a distillation of each store’s character and an expression of the owner’s personality and beliefs. We hope this design series not only conveys the aesthetic of the “DuShu Awards” but also allows audiences to feel the passion and dedication behind the operation of independent bookstores—encouraging more people to step inside, to experience firsthand the beautiful daily life that safeguards the fragrance of books with cultural devotion and an artistic spirit in action.