One Club Award

GMD were delighted to hear that alumni Hao Zhang has been awarded a Silver Cube at the 2026 Young Ones ADC Awards in the Publication Design, Books – Image-Driven category.

Hao’s graduation project submission was inspired by their grandmother’s struggle with Alzheimer’s disease, integrating images, text, materials, and scent. The work comprises of a set of four hand-bound books, a series of thermochromic posters, and a custom typeface. The books serve as an archive, preserving distinct slices of existence: living environment, personal objects, spoken words, and family history. Collectively, they construct a portrait of a life that is slowly fading. The posters are printed with thermochromic ink, causing the content to disappear when touched or exposed to warmth.

To visually represent the breakdown of communication, Hao developed a custom typeface featuring distorted and incomplete characters. This design choice reflects the gradual erosion of language and cognition. Ultimately, this project is not only about remembering; it is a dedicated attempt to preserve emotion through design, capturing the essence of a loved one before it slips away entirely.

Hao told us;

Winning the Young Ones ADC Silver Cube for ‘About AD’ was a deeply meaningful moment for me. This project reinforced my belief that emotion is a golden thread in design, connecting personal experience with a wider audience through visual storytelling.”

View the full project on the ADC showcase here: https://www.oneclub.org/awards/youngones/-award/62916/about-ad/

See more of Hao Zhang’s work here: www.xhzx.co.uk