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Balhae Reka Bentuk Watak by Ziwan Li

Balhae Reka Bentuk Watak by Ziwan Li is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2024 A' Design Award Besi in Seni Digital Competition Category.


BesiSeni Digital· 2024

Balhae Reka Bentuk Watak

by Ziwan Li

Client: Ziwan Li

A' Design Award Besi Winner in Seni Digital Category

Colors

The Design

About Balhae Reka Bentuk Watak

Latar belakang projek ini mengikuti perantis Junghyae dan mentornya, Master Yoo, yang dipanggil ke kampung Gyeru untuk mengusir roh-roh dari laut. Perjalanan mereka mendedahkan budaya dan amalan mistik Balhae. Projek reka bentuk watak ini memberi penghormatan kepada tamadun Balhae, menggabungkan sejarah dan fantasi. Keterpesonaan artis terhadap sejarah, budaya, dan fesyen bukan sahaja memberikan projek reka bentuk ini dengan daya tarikan estetik dan penceritaan yang berfungsi tetapi juga menambah rasa keberatan sejarah dan sentuhan puisi kepadanya.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Besi

Balhae Reka Bentuk Watak ialah pemenang A' Design Award Besi, pengiktirafan yang berprestij yang dianugerahkan kepada reka bentuk yang baik yang memenuhi keperluan profesional dan industri yang dijangka daripada ciptaan yang direka dengan baik. Pemenang Besi menunjukkan kemahiran yang besar, kepakaran yang tinggi, kefahaman pakar dan keupayaan kreatif penciptanya. Balhae Reka Bentuk Watak diharapkan menjadi ciptaan yang sangat dihargai, dikagumi dan disayangi yang praktikal dan inovatif. Reka bentuk pemenang A' Design Award Besi ini menyepadukan amalan terbaik industri dan mempunyai ciri teknikal yang kompeten yang dikaitkan dengan kepakaran dan bakat. Balhae Reka Bentuk Watak dihormati kerana ketelitiannya dan direka untuk memberikan peningkatan kualiti hidup yang membantu menjadikan dunia tempat yang lebih baik.

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.

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