ROM Poster Design – Ancient Writing Systems Exhibition (2008)

The ROM Poster project, part of the York/Sheridan Design Program in 2008, aimed to create a compelling visual representation for an exhibition at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). The exhibition focused on the evolution of ancient writing systems, spanning from prehistoric cave paintings to modern calligraphy. This project involved extensive research into various ancient scripts, including Native American pictographs, Mayan hieroglyphics, Mesopotamian cuneiform, Egyptian hieroglyphics, Phoenician symbols, Greek letterforms, Roman capitals, Chinese ideograms, Arabic calligraphy, and many more. The goal was to create a poster that reflected the exhibition’s rich history and diversity of ancient writing.

Design Concepts:

While all three designs shared the same core content, each one utilized distinct visual elements to represent different cultural influences and writing systems.

1. First Design:

   • Background: A plain white background evokes the rice paper traditionally used in Chinese calligraphy, symbolizing purity and the timeless nature of written language.
   • Typography: The word “Art” was highlighted using the ROM logo colors — blue, orange, and red — to reflect the museum’s branding while connecting to the theme of the exhibition.
   • Chinese Calligraphy: The famous “Orchid Pavilion Preface” by WANG Xizhi, one of China’s greatest calligraphers, was integrated into the lower part of the poster, reinforcing the connection to Chinese art and historical calligraphy.

2. Second Design:

   • Background: A traditional yellowish Chinese painting serves as the backdrop, representing the heritage and historical roots of Chinese art.
   • Typography: Chinese calligraphy was incorporated on the left side of the poster, adding an authentic touch to the design while emphasizing the cultural importance of written language in Chinese history.

3. Third Design:

   • Seal Icon: A seal-like dragon icon was used, derived from ancient Chinese tiles, most of which were once placed on the roofs of Chinese buildings. The dragon symbolizes power, strength, and imperial tradition in Chinese culture.
   • Timeline: The bottom section of the poster featured a timeline illustrating the evolution of the Chinese character for “dragon” (龙), from its early oracle script form to the Simplified Chinese used today. This visually showcases the development and simplification of one of the most iconic Chinese characters.

Key Design Themes:

• Cultural Influence: Each design reflects a deep understanding of the ancient writing systems and cultural significance behind each form, showcasing the evolution of writing as both an art and a tool for communication.
• Connection to ROM: The use of ROM’s logo colors ties each design back to the institution, ensuring that the poster stays true to its branding while effectively conveying the exhibition’s theme.
• Historical Depth: The choice of Chinese calligraphy, the dragon icon, and the evolution timeline highlights the rich history of Chinese writing, while the use of traditional art backgrounds honors the deep cultural heritage explored in the exhibition.