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A Preliminary Study on Design Strategies for the Visual Revitalization of Shaanxi’s Industrial Heritage from the Perspective of Cultural Communication: A Case Study of Xi’an Dahua 1935

Author(s)

Wanying Chen

Affiliation(s)

Xi'an Technological University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China

Abstract

Shaanxi possesses abundant industrial heritage resources; however, efforts to communicate their cultural significance often face challenges such as weak visual identity, superficial narrative experiences, and limited digital reach. Adopting a cultural communication perspective, this paper positions visual design as a bridge between the translation of industrial heritage values and audience engagement. It outlines three complementary analytical dimensions—visual symbols, narrative scenarios, and digital media—and conducts a descriptive case study of the "Dahua 1935" project in Xi'an. The study finds that the contemporary translation of visual symbols can enhance recognizability, the creation of immersive narrative scenarios can deepen the visitor experience, and the use of digital media can broaden outreach. However, these elements do not form a simple linear loop; their effectiveness is influenced by factors such as commercial operations, spatial constraints, audience diversity, and content quality. As an exploratory study, this paper aims to provide design insights and hypotheses for future empirical research regarding the visual revitalization of industrial heritage in Shaanxi.

Keywords

Cultural Dissemination; Industrial Heritage; Visual Design; Digital Media; Xi'an Dahua 1935; Exploratory Research

References

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