Balhae Karakterûntwerp by Ziwan Li is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2024 A' Design Award yn Izer in Digitale Keunst Competition Category.

IzerDigitale Keunst· 2024

Balhae Karakterûntwerp

by Ziwan Li

Client: Ziwan Li

A' Design Award yn Izer Winner in Digitale Keunst Category

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Verified Award Winner

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The Design

About Balhae Karakterûntwerp

De eftergrûn fan it projekt folget learling Junghyae en har mentor, Master Yoo, dy't oproppen wurde nei it doarp Gyeru om gasten út de sieuwen te ferbannen. Har reis ûntbleatet Balhae's kultuer en mystike praktiken. Dit karakterûntwerpsprojekt bringt hulde oan Balhae's beskaving, troch skiednis en fantasy te fermingeljen. De fassinaasje fan de artyst mei skiednis, kultuer en moade jout dit ûntwerpsprojekt net allinnich estetyske oantrekkingskrêft en funksjonele storytelling, mar foeget der ek in gefoel fan skiedkundich gewicht en in tikje poëzy oan ta.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award yn Izer

Balhae Karakterûntwerp is in winner fan de A' Design Award yn Izer, in prestisjeuze erkenning foar goede ûntwerpen dy't foldogge oan de profesjonele en yndustriële easken dy't ferwachte wurde fan goed ûntwurpen skeppings. Izerwinners litte grutte feardigens, hege spesjalisaasje, deskundich begryp en kreatyf fermogen fan har makkers sjen. Fan Balhae Karakterûntwerp wurdt ferwachte dat it in tige heech achte, bewûndere en dierbere skepping is dy't praktysk en ynnovatyf is. Dit winnende ûntwerp fan de A' Design Award yn Izer yntegrearret de bêste praktiken fan de sektor en hat feardige technyske skaaimerken ferbûn mei kennis en talint. Balhae Karakterûntwerp wurdt respektearre foar syn yngeandens en is ûntwurpen om ferbetteringen fan de kwaliteit fan it libben te leverjen dy't helpe de wrâld ta in bettere plak te meitsjen.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: 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.
Dimensions & Packaging: size: 127 cm * 127 cm, 300 dpi
Tags: 2D, Character Design, Digital Arts, Fantasy, History
Production Technology: Character designs in this series are designed with pencil and rendered in Procreate software and Photoshop CC software.
Design 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.
Research: 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.
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.
Project Duration: 2 months, Los Angeles, January 2022
Operation Flow: 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.
Patents: 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.
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.