Editorial, Book Design 2024 “收據” (Chinese for “Receipt”) is an interactive publication that brings to life an interview with Fanny, who runs the Hong Kong-style rice noodle restaurant “Yun Gui Chuan” with her husband in London’s Brick Lane. It’s a physical memorialisation (a receipt, if you will) of our exchange, telling her story as an immigrant and business owner.
Publication page 4 digital excerpt Project Origin
The publication sprouted from a place of shared cultural background. I spotted Yun Gui Chuan amongst the many South Asian restaurants along Brick Lane and heard the familiarity of Cantonese spoken by the staff. It sparked my curiousity to approach them, something I wouldn’t have done if I wasn’t partially a Hongkonger myself.Fanny was happy to chat with me, and I got to learn about her experiences moving to London as a Hong Kong immigrant, settling down with her family, the impact of Covid-19 on her budding business, and much more.
The project themes were also motivated by my experience of having just moved to the UK as well.
The owners in front of 雲貴川’s strorefront
Process
An early experiment—My train of thought as I sat and people-watched in one of Brick Lane’s restaurants, Chaii Wala, documented in a receipt format and stapled to a their takeaway bag.
An early experiment—My train of thought as I sat and people-watched in one of Brick Lane’s restaurants, Chaii Wala, documented in a receipt format and stapled to a their takeaway bag.Apart from basing the graphics on Fanny’s and Yun Gui Chuan’s story, I also drew inspiration from the physical objects present in the space. Certain experiences such as the whiteboard-menu are commonplace in Hong Kong restaurant culture and were integrated into the publication’s physical elements.
Yun Gui Chuan’s signage at the window, created in reference to Hong Kong’s stylistic mini-bus signs
The restaurant’s whiteboard-style menu, given to customers when they enter and sit down Year One Showcase
The prototype version of the book was displayed for public viewing in two parts—the complete publication on the table for perusing, and an extra copy of the running receipt as a stand-alone textual piece. Display at the restaurant
The publication is currently on display at Yun Gui Chuan’s entrance in Brick Lane.