Chop Design: Your Chop, Your Mark
In Western culture, it's common for an artist to sign or initial her name on pieces of original artwork. In Eastern culture, specifically Chinese, it's customary for an artist to create a chop, an identifying symbol.
History of the Chop
In China, the chop has the same weight and authority as a signature does in Western culture. The use of a chop, or seal, started thousands of years ago and continues to this day. Chops are commonly seen on Chinese artwork, but they're also used by everyday people to simply sign their checks or greeting cards. Artists use them not only to sign their work but also as a way to enhance it. A beautifully designed seal in the right place adds a special touch to the image.
In China, the chop has the same weight and authority as a signature does in Western culture. The use of a chop, or seal, started thousands of years ago and continues to this day. Chops are commonly seen on Chinese artwork, but they're also used by everyday people to simply sign their checks or greeting cards. Artists use them not only to sign their work but also as a way to enhance it. A beautifully designed seal in the right place adds a special touch to the image.
Traditional vs. Non-Traditional
Depending on what sort of person you are, you may be interested in creating a more traditional Chinese chop with Chinese characters or perhaps just a design that's representative of you. I'll show you how to approach the design of your chop from both perspectives.
Depending on what sort of person you are, you may be interested in creating a more traditional Chinese chop with Chinese characters or perhaps just a design that's representative of you. I'll show you how to approach the design of your chop from both perspectives.
Translate accurately
If you want, you can have your name translated into Chinese sounds. This can be a bit dodgy because many Chinese characters sound the same but have significantly different meanings. A well-known example of this is when shopkeepers originally sold Coca-Cola in China; they chose random characters that sounded like Coca-Cola but actually translated to "bite the wax tadpole" and other oddities. Coca-Cola Corporation spent a long time developing its Chinese logo so it sounded appropriate but also meant something in relation to their product. What they came up with were characters that sound like Coca-Cola and literally mean, "to allow the mouth to be able to rejoice."
If you're interested in going this route, there's a Web site that can help you generate the meaning of your name in sounds. To try it out, go to Oriental Outpost or www.zhongwen.com.
Your challenge is to create a chop that will be your identity for this class. You will be using your chop on all of your presentation prints. What image/characters will you like to be associated with you over the long run?
If you want, you can have your name translated into Chinese sounds. This can be a bit dodgy because many Chinese characters sound the same but have significantly different meanings. A well-known example of this is when shopkeepers originally sold Coca-Cola in China; they chose random characters that sounded like Coca-Cola but actually translated to "bite the wax tadpole" and other oddities. Coca-Cola Corporation spent a long time developing its Chinese logo so it sounded appropriate but also meant something in relation to their product. What they came up with were characters that sound like Coca-Cola and literally mean, "to allow the mouth to be able to rejoice."
If you're interested in going this route, there's a Web site that can help you generate the meaning of your name in sounds. To try it out, go to Oriental Outpost or www.zhongwen.com.
Your challenge is to create a chop that will be your identity for this class. You will be using your chop on all of your presentation prints. What image/characters will you like to be associated with you over the long run?
You will need:
Steps:
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