Zhu designed the font Boya Song from a practical standpoint, and it is a major breakthrough in font type, structure, and thickness than the Song font that has been in continuous use since the Ming Dynasty. This font took two years to create and establish, and after twenty years of development, it has been adopted by most newspapers in China and is also widely used in the body text and catalogues of books and magazines (Liu).

As the most prestigious of the older generation of type designers with seniority and experience in the professional field, Zhu is devoted and outspoken to his juniors. Since he comes from a craftsman background, he attaches great importance to practical experience, rather than theories. He has been known for a straightforward and frank attitude with regard to the industry of typeface design. As a designer, he made it clear that his aim was to produce an industrial product that users would love and that its depth could never be compared to the art of calligraphy (Liao, 74). This pragmatic philosophy has influenced entire generations of Chinese typeface designers, and his work is often referenced in modern design-related education and disciplines.

Zhu’s most significant contribution is not only the widespread adoption that kickstarted the typography industry in China, allowing more attention to be placed on the importance of studying font and general design principles but also the mentality and philosophy that he has passed down. This precedent he has set can be seen on equivalent importance to a tradition, influencing the culture as a whole to appreciate ancient calligraphy principles on modern platforms, influencing even more generations to come.


*Picture 1: Both newspapers, Beijing Daily from 2005 and Daily Economic News from 2004 use the font Boya Song for their main text.

*Picture 2: Boya Song in different font sizes, 2004.

Works Cited

Liao, Jielian. CHINESE TYPOGRAPHER 中國字體設計人：一字一生. Huazhong University of Science and Technology Press, 2012.

Liu, Si. “朱志伟：幸运的字体设计师.” NetEase, 5 June 2018, art.163.com/18/0605/09/DJHETLCE00997VCT.html.