Balhae Character Design by Ziwan Li |
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| DESIGN DETAILS | |||||
| DESIGN NAME: Balhae PRIMARY FUNCTION: Character Design INSPIRATION: The artist is deeply fascinated by the nuances of history, culture, and historical fashion. They delved into the history of the lost kingdom of Balhae, marveling at the richness and vibrancy of a culture that thrived thousands of years ago. They felt a profound sense of loss for such cultures that have vanished in the tides of history. Inspired by Balhae's legacy, they embarked on a creative journey to resurrect this long-forgotten culture through a fantasy narrative. UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Set in the flourishing ancient kingdom of Balhae, 926 CE, this story follows apprentice Junghyae and her mentor, Master Yoo, called to Gyeru village. Tasked with banishing spirits from the shallow seas to ensure safe mermaid hunting for the locals, their journey illuminates the era's rich culture and mystical practices. This character design project is a visual homage to Balhae's lost civilization, blending history and fantasy through art. OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: The key of this design lies in reviving lost cultures through a meticulous fusion of imagination and the scant textual references sourced by the artist from academic literature, paintings, and sculptures of neighboring countries associated with the lost culture. By imaginatively blending these elements, the artist breathes life into the forgotten cultural narratives. PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: 2 months, Los Angeles, January 2022 |
PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: Character designs in this series are designed with pencil and rendered in Procreate software and Photoshop CC software. SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: size: 127 cm * 127 cm, 300 dpi TAGS: 2D, Character Design, Digital Arts, Fantasy, History RESEARCH ABSTRACT: To reconstruct the lost civilization of Balhae authentically, I extensively researched historical descriptions, geographical studies, and neighboring societies. This included delving into customs, religious practices, military strength, and climate conditions of nearby regions like the Tang Dynasty, Khitans, Koguryo, Paekche, and Silla. Synthesizing this data, I engaged in speculation to envision Balhae's unique cultural identity, creating a credible representation of its vibrant society. This project aimed to honor Balhae's historical significance and imagine the daily lives of its people. CHALLENGE: Balhae was a historical kingdom that was conquered by the Khitans in 926 CE. Its legacy is somewhat enigmatic due to the scarcity of surviving artifacts, artworks, or detailed contemporary accounts about its culture, as it faded from history centuries ago. Undertaking a project to resurrect Balhae's rich cultural tapestry without abundant reference material was a formidable challenge. ADDED DATE: 2024-02-19 02:24:33 TEAM MEMBERS (1) : IMAGE CREDITS: Image #1: Image Ziwan Li, Master Yoo Traveling Outfit, 2022. Image #2: Image Ziwan Li, Apprentice Junghyae, 2022. Image #3: Image Ziwan Li, Apprentice Junghyae Ritual Outfit, 2022. 2022. Image #4: Image Ziwan Li, Mermaid, 2022. PATENTS/COPYRIGHTS: Image #1: Image Ziwan Li, Master Yoo Traveling Outfit, 2022. Image #2: Image Ziwan Li, Apprentice Junghyae, 2022. Image #3: Image Ziwan Li, Apprentice Junghyae Ritual Outfit, 2022. 2022. Image #4: Image Ziwan Li, Mermaid, 2022. |
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NAME: Ziwan Li PROFILE: Ziwan Li is a California-based character concept designer with previous experience at Marvel Studios. She has worked on AAA games such as Apex Legends and PUBG. Specializing in character design and storytelling, Ziwan believes that design transcends mere aesthetics; there is always something meaningful to be discovered. Bringing characters to life and making them believable brings her immense joy. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling and discovering the beauty of everyday objects, capturing them through her unique perspective. |
| AWARD DETAILS | |
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Balhae Character Design by Ziwan Li is Winner in Digital Art Category, 2023 - 2024.· Press Members: Login or Register to request an exclusive interview with Ziwan Li. · Click here to register inorder to view the profile and other works by Ziwan Li. |
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