Journey Through Taoyuan

The Taoyuan Chinese Orchestra has long contributed to preserving and promoting traditional Taiwanese music. Their albums have been nominated multiple times for the Golden Melody Awards for Traditional Arts and Music. Journey Through Taoyuan is a newly produced album themed on “portraying Taoyuan through Chinese music, guiding listeners on a musical journey.” It features ensemble works with traditional instruments, creating symphonic grandeur that captures Taoyuan’s expansive landscapes. Solo pieces highlight local scenery and culture—for instance, the guzheng evokes blooming lotus flowers, while the zhongruan tells regional legends.

To reflect the album’s concept, we developed the design around the idea of a letter, extending the imagery of “a letter sent from a journey” and “an invitation to embark on a musical voyage.” This concept is integrated across the CD packaging, USB drive, disc, and accompanying guidebook, presenting the entire set as a refined gift—ready to be shared and passed on. In terms of style, we combined a contemporary aesthetic with Eastern elements to express the spirit of the Taoyuan Chinese Orchestra: deeply rooted in tradition, yet boldly innovative.

The CD packaging resembles a letter envelope, featuring thoughtful details—postage stamp frames, postal markings, the orchestra’s name as sender, a wax seal closure, and dimensions based on standard envelopes. A gold USB drive, specially designed for this project, dangles from the side like a decorative charm, enhancing the elegant, gift-like feel. The USB is inspired by traditional Chinese lattice windows, rendered in an openwork gold pattern and tied with a red Chinese knot symbolizing joy and blessing. Each USB contains the complete Journey Through Taoyuan album in MP3 format, offering another way to experience the music.

Opening the CD package is like opening a letter or unwrapping a delightful gift. Inside is a beautiful image of Taoyuan in full peach blossom bloom, reminiscent of the classical Chinese tale Peach Blossom Spring by Tao Yuanming. Just as the fisherman in the story stumbles upon a hidden utopia, listeners are invited to journey through Taoyuan’s landscapes—traveling through music, discovering beauty along the way.