'Balhae' by Ziwan Li: Innovation in Character Design

Balhae

Character Design for Ziwan Li

The background of the project follows apprentice Junghyae and her mentor, Master Yoo, summoned to Gyeru village to banish spirits from the seas. Their journey unveils Balhae's culture and mystical practices. This character design project pays homage to Balhae's civilization, blending history and fantasy. The artist's fascination with history, culture, and fashion not only imbues this design project with aesthetic appeal and functional storytelling but also adds a sense of historical weight and a touch of poetry to it.

Ziwan Li 2024 Professional Iron Press Kit № 158219

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Download Press Kit № 158219 Character Design for Ziwan Li by Ziwan Li to access high-res images, essential texts, translations, and exclusive interviews—all in one.

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Balhae by Ziwan Li

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This 1800-pixel image offers versatility for print: achieve crisp, detailed prints up to 6 inches at 300 DPI, or opt for larger, yet still sharp visuals up to 12 inches at 150 DPI. With press accreditation, enjoy watermark-free, high-res downloads. Low-res images are available immediately for all. Photo credits are listed in the Image Credits Section.

Character Design by Ziwan Li

Download 1800 Pixels JPEG Image.

This 1800-pixel image adapts to your print needs: sharp and detailed at 6 inches with 300 DPI, it transitions smoothly to 12 inches at 150 DPI, preserving visual quality. Press credentials grant access to download high-res, watermark-free images. Alternatively, download a low-res version instantly. Details on photo contributions are located in the Image Credits Section.

Ziwan Li Balhae

Download 1800 Pixels JPEG Image.

This 1800-pixel image adapts to your print needs: sharp and detailed at 6 inches with 300 DPI, it transitions smoothly to 12 inches at 150 DPI, preserving visual quality. Press pass? Download high-res, watermark-free images. Or, get immediate access to low-res images without accreditation. Acknowledgements for photographs are in the Image Credits Section.

Ziwan Li Character Design

Download 1800 Pixels JPEG Image.

Harness the clarity of this 1800-pixel image for your prints—perfectly sharp at 6 inches with 300 DPI and equally clear at 12 inches when adjusted to 150 DPI. Accredited press members can download high-res images free of watermarks. Alternatively, low-res images are instantly available. Please check the Image Credits Section for photo acknowledgements.

Balhae Character Design Press Releases

Press resources for Balhae are offered in several languages: English.

Balhae Character Design Media Articles

Our articles on Balhae, prepared for immediate use, are offered in several languages, including English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Chinese (Mandarin), Dutch, Portuguese, Indonesian, Arabic (Standard), Japanese, Turkish, Russian, Korean and Hindi.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Project Overview

Balhae Character Design has been a Iron winner in the Digital Art award category in the year 2023 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Iron A' Design Award is awarded to good designs that meet the rigorous professional and industrial standards set by the A' Design Awards. This recognition is reserved for works that demonstrate a solid understanding of design principles and show creativity within their execution. Recipients of the Iron A' Design Award are acknowledged for their practical innovations and contributions to their respective fields, providing solutions that improve quality of life and foster positive change. These designs are a testament to the skill and dedication of their creators, showcasing their ability to address real-world challenges through thoughtful design.

Iron Recognition

Ziwan Li was recognized with the coveted Iron A' Design Award in 2024, a testament to excellence of their work Balhae Character Design.

Ziwan Li Press Releases

Attention press members and journalists: We offer a collection of press releases on Ziwan Li and their notable work, available for your unrestricted use. For immediate journalistic use: 1 press releases are available right now.

Balhae: A Visual Homage to a Lost Civilization

Ziwan Li's Character Design Project "Balhae" Resurrects a Long-Forgotten Culture Through Art

Ziwan Li Newsroom

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