Abstract
Both product semantics and construction principles of Chinese characters are techniques using for form creating. Product semantics was used for interpreting product meanings by product designers and was prospered since 1980s. The construction principles of Chinese characters were a set of methods for creating Chinese characters which were generalized by Xushen around 100 AD. Product semantics includes five principles: metaphor, simile, metonymy, allegory, and analogy, while the construction principles of Chinese characters are: physical resemblance principle (Xiang-Xing), indication principle (Zhi-Shi), implication principle (Hui-Yi), principle in combination with shape and pronunciation (Xing- Sheng), principle in combination analogy principle (Zhuan-Zhu), and substitute principle (Jia-Jie). This study described the meaning of these two techniques and compared the similarities and differences between them.
Citation
Kuo, Y., and Cai, D. (2004) A Compare Study on the Construction Principles of Chinese Characters and the Product Semantics., in Redmond, J., Durling, D. and de Bono, A (eds.), Futureground - DRS International Conference 2004, 17-21 November, Melbourne, Australia. https://dl.designresearchsociety.org/drs-conference-papers/drs2004/researchpapers/146
A Compare Study on the Construction Principles of Chinese Characters and the Product Semantics.
Both product semantics and construction principles of Chinese characters are techniques using for form creating. Product semantics was used for interpreting product meanings by product designers and was prospered since 1980s. The construction principles of Chinese characters were a set of methods for creating Chinese characters which were generalized by Xushen around 100 AD. Product semantics includes five principles: metaphor, simile, metonymy, allegory, and analogy, while the construction principles of Chinese characters are: physical resemblance principle (Xiang-Xing), indication principle (Zhi-Shi), implication principle (Hui-Yi), principle in combination with shape and pronunciation (Xing- Sheng), principle in combination analogy principle (Zhuan-Zhu), and substitute principle (Jia-Jie). This study described the meaning of these two techniques and compared the similarities and differences between them.