Guided
Evelyn Wu
The Chinese calendar is known officially as the Agricultural Calendar, and is used as a guide to dictate traditional activities in Chinese communities. It depicts the dates of traditional Chinese holidays and guides people in selecting the most auspicious days for weddings, funerals, moving, and starting businesses. Traditionally, it is printed on a pad of thin paper that is bound with a metal edge for ripping the pages away. The calendar itself is a cultural artifact that has perpetuated traditions through its use. It’s predominately used by older generation Chinese and immigrants—it serves as common ground and a way for overseas Chinese immigrants to stay in touch with their roots.
Social and generational differences often lead to a disconnect between the different generations of Chinese. This thesis offers a platform for everyone to understand the nuances that come with each identity—to connect and understand traditional Chinese culture in an approachable and accessible way. Guided is a mobile calendar app inspired by the needs of college-age American Born Chinese (ABC) seeking to understand and connect with traditional Chinese culture. The app will allow users to understand the different sections of information that is displayed on the printed calendar. This new digital format will allow users to tailor their experience while using the calendar.