Dunhuang Lute Lusoria Moderna Narrationis Culturae by Xinming Liu

Dunhuang Lute Lusoria Moderna Narrationis Culturae by Xinming Liu is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Praemium A' Design Award Argenteum in Crepundium Competition Category.

ArgentumCrepundium· 2025

Dunhuang Lute Lusoria Moderna Narrationis Culturae

by Xinming Liu

Client: Lumi Design

Praemium A' Design Award Argenteum Winner in Crepundium Category

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Verified Award Winner
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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Dunhuang Lute Lusoria Moderna Narrationis Culturae

Pipa (fides Sinica) est unum ex instrumentis frequentissime depictis in picturis muralibus Dunhuang, cum DCLXXXIX repraesentationibus diversis. Exsecutio pipae per tempus evoluta est, a stylo pulsandi valido dynastiae Tang ad pulsationem digitorum subtiliorem quae emotionem profundam expressit. Haec evolutio designationem lusorii inspiravit, patrimonium culturale cum forma moderna captivante componens ut historiam divitem et vim expressivam pipae publico iuniori introduceret.

The Recognition

About the Praemium A' Design Award Argenteum

Dunhuang Lute Lusoria Moderna Narrationis Culturae victor est Praemii A' Design Award Argenteum, honoris eximie amplissimi formis summi generis, pulchris et conspicuis dati. Victores Argenti opera valde splendida et creandi ingenio praedita sunt, quae praestantem peritiam, talentum et acumen auctorum suorum ostendunt. Exspectatur Dunhuang Lute Lusoria Moderna Narrationis Culturae opus mirabile, exemplare, valde professionale et penitus novum fore. Haec forma Argento victa inventum notabile et admiratum est, quod ad fines artis, scientiae, formandi rationis et technologiae promovendos confert. Dunhuang Lute Lusoria Moderna Narrationis Culturae creatio est, quam multi invident, quae cupiditates excitat, sensus bonos affert et admirationem miraculumque movet.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Dunhuang Lute blends traditional Chinese elements with modern design, using illustrated books and toys as the core. Inspired by Dunhuang murals, it explores how to convey historical depth through digital illustrations. The character designs, based on ancient sculptures, highlight dynastic facial features while avoiding modern toy trends. Targeting teens, the project offers an educational approach to Chinese history and culture, making Dunhuang’s heritage and the Pipa instrument accessible and appealing to today’s youth.
Dimensions & Packaging: Small: 15cm x 10cm x 10cm
Large: 30cm x 20cm x 20cm
Tags: Trendy toys,Traditional Chinese elements, Educational design, Digital illustration
Production Technology: Modeling was done using ZBrush, followed by 3D printing to adjust the character design, and rendering with KeyShot.
Design Challenge: The process was filled with challenges, primarily the transition from two-dimensional designs to three-dimensional figurines. The modeling required careful consideration of various viewing angles, necessitating repeated adjustments based on the initial flat designs. Given the educational nature of the project, the characters' poses needed to be both accurate and meticulously crafted. Each character underwent multiple revisions, with new issues emerging even after adjustments, requiring further refinement before reaching the final form.

Technically, several difficulties were overcome, such as the excessive use of subdivision surfaces during modeling, which complicated subsequent animation production. To address this, low-poly models were used for the animation phase and then recolored. Despite these challenges, solutions were gradually developed as the project progressed.
Research: With the growing cultural confidence among China's younger generation, traditional Chinese artistic expressions are gaining increasing popularity. The author believes that Chinese-style design should go beyond the mere application of external elements, instead integrating aesthetic forms with historical and cultural depth by uncovering the intrinsic charm of traditional culture.

In this project, the author focuses on the pipa (Chinese lute) depicted in Dunhuang murals, drawing inspiration from the colors and stylistic elements of different periods of the Dunhuang caves. The result is a picture book and IP (Intellectual Property) characters that showcase over a millennium of the pipa's history and cultural significance, from the Northern Dynasties to the Song and Yuan Dynasties. The design also analyzes the pipa's structure and features, presenting Dunhuang's pipa culture in a visually engaging format.

This project explores ways to blend traditional culture with modern trends. For the facial makeup and costumes of the IP characters, the design strictly adheres to the distinct features of different historical periods as depicted in Dunhuang’s music and dance murals. By transforming mural-style imagery into contemporary illustration, the picture book interweaves text and imagery to narrate the cultural heritage of the Silk Road carried by the pipa. This approach reintroduces this rich cultural history in a form that resonates with and appeals to younger audiences.
Inspiration: This project reimagines traditional pipa elements from Dunhuang murals, integrating the aesthetic styles and colors of different eras from the Northern Dynasties to the Song-Yuan period. The IP characters feature makeup and attire inspired by iconic mural imagery, translated into contemporary illustration styles.
Project Duration: Starts in Beijing in January and ends in September 2022
Operation Flow: Through interactive play, the Dunhuang Lute collectible toy set bridges ancient mural art and modern lifestyles. Each toy character is meticulously crafted based on figures from Dunhuang murals, embodying distinct historical aesthetics. Users can engage with the toy by assembling its modular parts, which represent different cultural elements, creating an intuitive hands-on connection with history.

The accompanying illustrated book enhances this experience by providing detailed stories behind the murals, highlighting their evolution across dynasties. Readers can explore the historical context of each mural and understand the cultural significance of their design.

Key moments in interaction include assembling the figure, discovering its detailed craftsmanship, and referencing the book for historical insights. This combination allows users to connect visually and intellectually, making the murals accessible in a tangible form. The integration of toys and stories offers a unique learning tool, transforming traditional art into an engaging medium for education and appreciation, particularly for younger audiences. This approach fosters a deeper understanding of Dunhuang's cultural legacy, making it more relatable and captivating.
Image Credits: Image #1: Rendering Artist: Xinming Liu, 2022.
Image #2: Rendering Artist: Xinming Liu, 2022.
Image #3: Rendering Artist: Xinming Liu, 2022.
Image #4: Illustrator: Xinming Liu, 2022.
Image #5: Illustrator: Xinming Liu, 2022.