Balhae Karakterontwerp by Ziwan Li is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2024 A' Design Award in IJzer in Digitale Kunst Competition Category.

IJzerDigitale Kunst· 2024

Balhae Karakterontwerp

by Ziwan Li

Client: Ziwan Li

A' Design Award in IJzer Winner in Digitale Kunst Category

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The Design

About Balhae Karakterontwerp

De achtergrond van het project volgt leerling Junghyae en haar mentor, Meester Yoo, die naar het dorp Gyeru worden geroepen om geesten uit de zeeën te verbannen. Hun reis onthult de cultuur en mystieke praktijken van Balhae. Dit karakterontwerpproject brengt hulde aan de beschaving van Balhae en verweeft geschiedenis en fantasie. De fascinatie van de kunstenaar voor geschiedenis, cultuur en mode geeft dit ontwerpproject niet alleen esthetische aantrekkingskracht en functioneel storytelling, maar voegt er ook een gevoel van historisch gewicht en een vleugje poëzie aan toe.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award in IJzer

Balhae Karakterontwerp is winnaar van de A' Design Award in IJzer, een prestigieuze erkenning die wordt toegekend aan goede ontwerpen die voldoen aan de professionele en industriële eisen die worden verwacht van goed ontworpen creaties. Winnaars in IJzer tonen grote vaardigheid, hoge specialisatie, deskundig inzicht en het creatieve vermogen van hun makers. Balhae Karakterontwerp wordt verwacht een hooggewaardeerde, bewonderde en gekoesterde creatie te zijn die praktisch en innovatief is. Dit ontwerp dat de A' Design Award in IJzer heeft gewonnen, integreert de beste praktijken uit de sector en heeft bekwame technische kenmerken die verbonden zijn met knowhow en talent. Balhae Karakterontwerp wordt gerespecteerd om zijn grondigheid en is ontworpen om verbeteringen van de levenskwaliteit te bieden die helpen de wereld een betere plek te maken.

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.