From May 25 to June 5, Professor Christian Lindemann from Mediadesign Hochschule (MDH) conducted the “Visual Language Workshop” at Shanghai Zhongqiao Vocational and Technical University. From hands-on studio practice to academic exchange, from inspiring conversations with students to a heartfelt farewell, this design journey, filled with the scent of ink and the glow of pixels, has now come to a successful conclusion.
Week 1 | From Drawing to Printmaking: Experiencing Visual Language Through Hands-On Practice
The first week focused on making and experimenting. Beginning with a warm-up exercise inspired by Pablo Picasso’s Bull series, students explored a variety of artistic techniques, including pencil sketching, watercolor painting, crayon drawing, and linocut printmaking. Through creating and printing their first original prints, students completed their initial journey from observing objects to expressing ideas visually.
Week 2 | From Print to Screen: Abstract Thinking and Digital Expression
The second week emphasized conceptual development and creative thinking. Professor Lindemann introduced the “Mind–Intuition–Hands–Computer” four-quadrant working model, highlighting the importance of moving flexibly between planning and exploration, as well as between analog and digital approaches.
Drawing on Gestalt principles such as figure-ground relationships and closure, he guided students in applying visual perception theories to poster and logo design. Through discussions of influential works on creativity and design, students further explored the concepts of visual language and contextual transformation as essential elements of design thinking.
On June 5, students presented their final projects in the form of A3 posters, featuring printmaking works, digital posters, and mixed-media creations. A small exhibition was held on the second-floor corridor of Building 1, where Professor Lindemann reviewed and commented on each project individually.
From carving tools to computer screens, from Shanghai to Berlin, these two weeks mark only the beginning. We hope that students will carry forward the inspiration and insights gained from this exploration of visual language and continue their creative journeys with confidence, curiosity, and imagination.
