Date: October 26, 2026

To enhance the internationalization of water tourism in Suzhou's ancient city and promote the transition of water tourism from traditional sightseeing to an immersive experience, Suzhou Oriental Water City Tourism Development Co., Ltd., in collaboration with THE ZHAI, hereby launches a nationwide and overseas call for vLogo: Micro-Signage designs for the ancient city's water tourism. Submissions will be accepted from the date of this announcement until November 30, 2026.

I. Background

Suzhou has maintained its urban site unchanged for 2,500 years, preserving the layout of parallel water and land routes with rivers adjacent to streets to this day. This open call focuses on practical application scenarios such Suzhou Sightseeing Cruise piers, Water Alleys Tour docks and stations, and water tour route directional signage. As Suzhou accelerates its efforts to build an international tourism destination featuring Jiangnan water-town characteristics, perfecting a multi-lingual guiding signage system and elevating international service standards serve as the direct policy background of this project.

II. Submission Categories

The submission categories are structured around two main themes based on their specific application scenarios:

Theme I: Suzhou Sightseeing Cruise Piers

This category focuses on design and application scenarios involving the piers along the Grand Canal.

Theme II: Water Alleys Tour Docks & Station Signage

This category covers application scenarios for docks and station signage located along the scenic Water Alleys Tour routes.

Detailed design requirements can be found in the "Design Brief Materials". The specific list of piers and docks can be found in the "Design Brief Materials". Entries must embody the water system culture of Suzhou's ancient city and Jiangnan aesthetics, possess international recognizability, adapt to multi-lingual environments, and include simulated application renderings for each scenario.

III. Evaluation Criteria

The evaluation will be conducted across four dimensions: Cultural Expression (25%), Visual Performance (30%), Application Adaptability (25%), and International Communication (20%). Detailed descriptions for each dimension can be found in the "Design Brief Materials".

IV. Eligibility & Scope

Open globally to design agencies, independent designers, young designers, and students enrolled in design colleges and universities, both nationwide and overseas. The scope of this solicitation covers water tourism business scenarios within the jurisdiction of Oriental Water City Company.

V. Schedule

Submission Period: Submissions open on October 26, 2026, and close on November 30, 2026.

Evaluation & Review: In early December, the Organizing Committee conducts preliminary evaluations to select shortlisted entries. In mid-December, an expert panel completes the final review through a closed-door session with on-site and online scoring.

Final Announcement: The competition concludes in mid-to-late December with the official announcement of selected entries and their design rationales.

VI. Awards & Incentives

Selected Proposal: 1 entry will be selected for adoption, receiving an adoption fee of RMB 50,000 (tax included) and advancing to the detailed design phase.

Youth Division Shortlist Proposal: Several entries will be shortlisted, granting participants official participation honors and inclusion in a themed exhibition.

VII. Organization

Organizer: Suzhou Oriental Water City Tourism Development Co., Ltd.

Executive Organizer: Suzhou Fuyuelai Management Consulting Co., Ltd.

Strategic Cooperative Platform: THE ZHAI

Judging Support: Association France China Partnership

VIII. Copyright and Attribution

The moral rights of authorship belong to the designer, with official attribution ("Work Title / Designer Name") provided in all applications and publications. Upon selection, all economic copyright rights are permanently, royalty-free, and globally transferred to the organizer for implementation across post stations, docks, cruise boats, commercial, and digital scenarios, with the winner required to sign transfer documents and complete scenario-specific detailed designs without additional compensation (detailed deliverables shall also belong to the organizer). Non-selected works remain the property of their authors, subject only to promotional use by the organizer unless authorized in writing. The organizer retains the final interpretation rights, as well as the authority to adjust rules, leave awards vacant, or disqualify non-compliant participants.

IX. Registration & Contact Information

Submission Email: vlogo@thezhaichina.com

Contact: Official Wecom

Consultation Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (UTC/GMT +8)

X. Additional Notes

1. No registration fee is charged for this solicitation.

2. All submitted materials will not be returned; participants should retain their own drafts.

3. Submission of entries implies agreement to all terms of this announcement.

4. The final interpretation right of this solicitation event belongs to the organizer.

5. Participants must ensure their submissions adhere to PRC laws, regulations, and public order, free of any illegal or inappropriate content.

Appendix: Instructions on the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Scope & Limits: AI is permitted strictly for concept exploration and auxiliary rendering, but must not form the core visual layout. Original content must comprise at least 80% of the work; pure AI generation or AI content exceeding 20% will result in disqualification.

Disclosure & Verification: Applicants must submit a signed AI Usage Declaration Form detailing tools and workflows, alongside editable source and process files (AI, PSD, sketches). Discrepancies or failure to disclose will lead to disqualification via manual and tool-based audits.

Violation Penalties: Non-compliant entries will be disqualified, with any awarded prizes, certificates, or adoption fees revoked and publicly announced.