Balhae Charakterdesign by Ziwan Li is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2024 A' Design Award an Eisen in Digital Konscht Competition Category.

EisenDigital Konscht· 2024

Balhae Charakterdesign

by Ziwan Li

Client: Ziwan Li

A' Design Award an Eisen Winner in Digital Konscht Category

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Verified Award Winner

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Colors

The Design

About Balhae Charakterdesign

Den Hannergrand vum Projet follegt d'Lärling Junghyae an hire Mentor, Master Yoo, déi an d'Gyeru Duerf geruff goufen fir Geeschter aus de Mier ze verbannen. Hir Rees enthëllt d'Kultur vu Balhae an déi mystesch Praktiken. Dëst Charakterdesign-Projet zollt Tribut un d'Zivilisatioun vu Balhae a vermëscht Geschicht a Fantasie. D'Faszinatioun vum Kënschtler fir Geschicht, Kultur a Mode verleent dësem Design-Projet net nëmmen en ästhetesche Reiz a funktionell Storytelling, mee füügt och e Gefill vun historesche Gewiicht an en Hauch vu Poesie derbäi.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award an Eisen

Balhae Charakterdesign ass e Gewënner vum A' Design Award an Eisen, enger prestigiéiser Unerkennung, déi un gutt Designe vergi gëtt, déi déi professionell an industriell Ufuerderunge erfëllen, déi vu gutt gestaltene Kreatioune erwaart ginn. Eisen-Gewënner weisen déi grouss Fäegkeet, déi héich Spezialiséierung, dat Expertewëssen an d'kreativ Kapazitéit vun hire Schëpfer. Et gëtt erwaart, datt Balhae Charakterdesign eng héich geschätzt, bewonnert a beléifte Kreatioun ass, déi praktesch an innovativ ass. Dëst mam Eisen ausgezeechent Design integréiert déi beschte Praktike vun der Industrie a huet kompetent technesch Eegeschaften, déi mat Know-how an Talent verbonne sinn. Balhae Charakterdesign gëtt fir seng Grëndlechkeet respektéiert a ass gestalt, d'Liewensqualitéit ze verbesseren an ze hëllefen, d'Welt zu enger besserer Plaz ze maachen.

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.