Night Tale Illustrasiereeks by Wenxu Zhao

Night Tale Illustrasiereeks by Wenxu Zhao is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award in Yster in Grafika-, Illustrasie- en Visuele Kommunikasie-ontwerp Competition Category.

YsterGrafika· 2025

Night Tale Illustrasiereeks

by Wenxu Zhao

Client: Strawberry Fish Girl

A' Design Award in Yster Winner in Grafika Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #167003

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Night Tale Illustrasiereeks

Nagvertelling is 'n illustrasiereeks wat die reis van die Aarbeivissie op 'n somernag volg. Die reeks vermeng fantasie en surrealisme om 'n oop-einde-verhaal aan te bied. Elke toneel plaas die karakter tussen groot diere, blomme en plante, wat dien as metafore vir innerlike gedagtes, doelwitte en nuuskierigheid. Die illustrasies word digitaal in hoë resolusie geskep, sodat fyn besonderhede duidelik bly by groot formate. Die werk kan vertoon word as drukwerk, as groot projeksies, of as 'n meesleurende installasie wat die mure van 'n binneruimte bedek.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award in Yster

Night Tale Illustrasiereeks is 'n wenner van die A' Design Award in Yster, 'n prestigieuse erkenning wat toegeken word aan goeie ontwerpe wat voldoen aan die professionele en industriële vereistes wat van goed ontwerpte skeppings verwag word. Wenners in Yster toon groot vaardigheid, hoë spesialisasie, kundige begrip en die kreatiewe vermoë van hul skeppers. Daar word verwag dat Night Tale Illustrasiereeks 'n hoog aangeskrewe, bewonderde en gekoesterde skepping is wat prakties en innoverend is. Hierdie ontwerp wat die A' Design Award in Yster gewen het, integreer die beste praktyke in die bedryf en het bekwame tegniese kenmerke gekoppel aan kundigheid en talent. Night Tale Illustrasiereeks word gerespekteer vir sy deeglikheid en is ontwerp om verbeterings in lewensgehalte te bied wat help om die wêreld 'n beter plek te maak.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The work is an illustrated series depicting the whimsical journey of Strawberry Fish Girl on a summer night. Blending fantasy and surrealism, it invites viewers into a world where imagination flows freely. Each detail whispers fragments of an open ended tale.
Dimensions & Packaging: 17x22 inches (each), 600 dpi. Flexible sizing based on medium and usage.
Tags: illustration, children's illustration, fantasy, animals, dream world, summer night
Production Technology: The illustrations are digitally created using Photoshop and other graphic design software, allowing for high resolution detail and intricate artistry. The original works are large scale, designed to showcase a rich tapestry of fine details when viewed up close or projected onto expansive surfaces.
Design Challenge: The challenge is to artfully integrate childlike innocence, fantasy, and mystery into illustrations rich with intricate details, while maintaining a sense of visual unity and storytelling coherence.
Research: This project began with the creation of the Strawberry Fish Girl, a whimsical character embodying innocence, mystery, and fantasy. Building upon her image, a series of illustrations were developed, exploring her actions, surroundings, and interactions with her dreamlike environment. Through an introspective creative process, I crafted a narrative that serves as an honest reflection of their inner world, weaving together a story filled with childlike wonder and gentle mystery.

Each illustration carefully incorporates floral elements, plants, and animals, meticulously designed to contribute to the immersive dreamscape. Using digital tools such as Photoshop, the work balances intricate details and visual unity, resulting in a collection that is both technically refined and emotionally resonant. Whether presented as traditional prints, large scale projections, or immersive installations, the series invites viewers to step into a delicate, otherworldly world shaped by imagination and introspection.
Inspiration: This illustration series draws inspiration from my self reflection and dreams. I’ve visualized my self ego through a mystical, dreamlike world, where the interaction between the Strawberry Fish Girl and large animals becomes a metaphor for my inner landscape. Each animal symbolizes a part of me, my goals, my ideas, and my curiosity, weaving together a tale that bridges imagination and introspection.
Project Duration: The work was originally created in 2022, New York City, USA, and revised in 2024, New Jersey, USA.
Operation Flow: The illustrations can be showcased as traditional artworks in an exhibition, projected onto large outdoor screens on summer nights, or enveloping all four walls of an expansive indoor space, creating an immersive, dreamlike experience where the audience can step directly into the enchanting world of the paintings.