Hong Kong Declared Monuments II Stamp Design
This project was developed as a proposal for the Hong Kong Declared Monuments II commemorative stamp series, exploring how contemporary visual language could reinterpret the forms, cultural character, and urban memory of Hong Kong’s historic architecture.
Beyond their postal function, stamps are miniature cultural objects that communicate local history and identity. The proposal features declared monuments from different periods, functions, and architectural styles, translating them into a recognisable series that presents Hong Kong’s heritage to contemporary audiences.
Design Strategy & Concept
Moving away from the photographic approach commonly used in architectural commemorative stamps, the proposal uses detailed line drawings to preserve the façades, structures, and decorative features of each monument. Colour, geometric elements, and systematic layouts establish a clear and contemporary visual language across the series.
Two design directions were developed. The first combines monochromatic architectural illustrations with graphic patterns derived from the buildings and their surroundings. Arches, steps, grids, and waves become distinctive background elements, while an individual colour palette gives each monument its own identity within a consistent system.
The second direction layers black architectural drawings over translucent colour blocks. Overlapping, divided, and slightly offset areas of colour reconstruct the façades with a more expressive visual rhythm. The vibrant palette makes the monuments feel more immediate while reflecting the density, diversity, and energy of Hong Kong’s urban landscape.
The information hierarchy adapts to both horizontal and vertical stamp formats, integrating monument names, bilingual information, denominations, and the series title with clarity. Through architectural drawing, colour, and small-format composition, the proposal transforms each stamp from a miniature record of a monument into a collectible expression of Hong Kong’s architectural culture.
Design: Ann Bai
Design Agency: Eric Chan Design Co., Ltd.
本專案為「香港法定古蹟 II」紀念郵票系列設計提案，探索如何運用當代圖像語言，重新呈現香港歷史建築的形貌、文化特色與城市記憶。
郵票不只是郵資憑證，也是濃縮地方歷史與文化認同的小型載體。本案選取不同年代、用途與建築風格的香港法定古蹟，將其轉化為具有系列辨識度的視覺內容，讓建築遺產以更鮮明且貼近當代觀眾的方式被觀看、收藏與傳播。
設計策略與設計概念
設計捨棄傳統建築紀念郵票常見的寫實攝影形式，改以細緻的建築線稿保留立面、結構與裝飾特徵，再透過色彩、幾何圖形與系列化編排，建立清楚而具有當代感的視覺系統。
本案發展出兩種設計方向。第一種以單色建築圖像為主，並從各古蹟的建築構造與周邊環境擷取視覺元素，轉化為拱形、階梯、格紋及水波等背景紋樣。每座建築分別搭配鮮明色彩，在一致的版面架構中建立各自的識別。
第二種方向以黑色建築線稿疊加半透明彩色區塊，利用色彩的重疊、分割與錯位，重新組織建築立面。明亮而多層次的色彩削弱古蹟給人的距離感，呈現香港建築多元、密集且充滿活力的城市特質。
版面依據橫式與直式郵票調整資訊位置，將建築名稱、中英文資訊、面值與系列名稱整合於清楚的閱讀層級中。透過建築繪圖、色彩系統與小尺寸編排的整合，本案讓郵票不只是古蹟的縮小紀錄，也成為連結香港建築文化與當代視覺設計的收藏媒介。
