Canada Post Corporation: advert-body-1 by Subplot Design Inc.

Canada Post traditionally honors the beginning of each lunar New Year with the release of a set of stamps, celebrating the transition between animal cycles. Subplot Design Inc. was commissioned to create an international and domestic stamp, along with a range of supporting material such as postcards, first day covers, booklets, souvenir sheets and a limited series uncut press sheet.

This 'Year of the Dog' set is part of the tenth issue in Canada Post's Lunar New Year series, which began with the Year of the Ox in 2009. Inspired by the colorful and brightly-illuminated decorations that mark this holiday, Subplot's Jacquie Shaw came up with the concept for the stamps.

Chinese illustrator Meimei Mao created two delicately-crafted dog illustrations that are reminiscent of traditional Chinese paper cutting. One of each of the two characters is featured prominently on the domestic and international stamp. The dogs are inspired by Shih Tzu and a traditional Chinese native dog. Subplot worked with local photographer and long-time collaborator Raff Miles to create the lantern scenes. All products are additionally graced with Order of Ontario recipient Albert Ng's calligraphy, who crafted multiple blessings that were then embossed in gold foil by Toronto printer Lowe Martin. Both gold and red are auspicious colors in the Chinese tradition, symbolizing prosperity and good luck.