China through the lens of a brand designer

During my tour through China – from Beijing via Xi'an, Guilin, Yangshuo and Chengdu to Shanghai – I not only photographed temples, palaces and impressive landscapes.

A tea pavilion in the Forbidden City (Imperial Palace) in Beijing (Copyright: Helene Clara Gamper)

I stopped in supermarkets, small shops or shopping centers at least as often because packaging, brands or unusual products caught my eye.

Here are some impressions that have particularly stuck in my memory.

International brands – yet somehow different

Pepsi is everywhere in China. Despite the Chinese characters, the brand is instantly recognizable – even if you don't speak Chinese (like me). It just goes to show: professional corporate design works everywhere, all the time.

"Fanta" in Chinese version

Even well-known brands like Fanta, or rather their Chinese competitors, adapt to the local market. To be honest, I didn't question whether this was "real" Fanta or a Chinese copy. The distinctive colors and the blue outline of the white lettering leave no doubt that this is a drink that tastes like Fanta.

Jasmine tea beer? Why not?

One of the most unusual products I discovered was a beer made with jasmine tea. I can't judge whether it tastes good (I don't drink alcohol) – but it immediately piqued my curiosity.

Chinese wheat beer with a German flair

I found this wheat beer packaging particularly interesting. The "typically German" font, the matching color scheme, and classic design elements immediately evoke German breweries.

At first glance, you can see what kind of origin and quality the brand wants to convey – even though the product comes from China.

Supermarkets as a source of inspiration

I could probably have spent hours just walking through Chinese supermarkets.

Between familiar global brands and completely unknown products, there was always something to discover – unusual packaging, exciting color combinations, or simply products that are hard to find in Europe.

Small details along the way

Not everything I photographed was a product. Often it was small things in everyday life – eye-catching signage, interesting lettering, or lovingly designed shops – that caught my eye as I walked by.

Note the green and yellow toilet icons of the respective subway stations: This is how public toilets inside and outside the subway station are marked.

The Chinese version, Chagee, can always be found near a US Starbucks.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/23e94b_65fcb2848dd94d9aac88ac522ccd189f/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

A fold-out flyer for an open-air theatre in Guilin, shaped like the famous mountains of Guilin.

The mountains of Guilin (Photo copyright: Helene Clara Gamper)

Interesting logo of the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River

Conclusion

China impressed me not only with its landscapes and culture, but also surprised me in everyday life.

Many well-known brands appear completely foreign at first glance due to the Chinese language and characters. Nevertheless, you immediately recognize all the products – be it Pepsi, Fanta (or its Chinese equivalent?) or many other international brands. A great example of how effective a consistent brand presence is across language barriers. Only with Red Bull did I actually have to look twice.

At the same time, you discover products that you would probably never encounter in my home country Austria – such as jasmine tea beer or Chinese wheat beer with a design that immediately evokes Germany.

For me, these small observations are among the most cherished memories of a trip. They show that exciting inspiration is often found where you least expect it: while strolling through a supermarket or walking through an unfamiliar city.