'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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Character Design by Ziwan Li

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Ziwan Li Balhae

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Leverage the high resolution of this 1800-pixel image for detailed, vibrant prints. At 300 DPI, it's ideal for up to 6 inches; at 150 DPI, it scales beautifully to 12 inches. Unlock high-res, watermark-free images with press accreditation, or instantly download a low-res version today. Image Credits Section holds all necessary photo accreditation details.

Ziwan Li Character Design

Download 1800 Pixels JPEG Image.

The 1800-pixel image is crafted for flexibility in print sizes—crisp and detailed at up to 6 inches with 300 DPI, and maintains its clarity at up to 12 inches when set to 150 DPI. Press credentials grant access to download high-res, watermark-free images. Alternatively, download a low-res version instantly. For attribution details, see the Image Credits Section.

Balhae Character Design Press Releases

Press releases for Balhae are now accessible in these languages: English.

Balhae Character Design Media Articles

We provide articles ready for publication on Balhae, offered in several languages: 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

Journalists and media members can enrich their content with our press releases on Ziwan Li, available for free use. Unlock 1 press releases now, directly accessible to journalists.

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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You are currently viewing Media Showcase № 158219. For a full overview of Ziwan Li's accomplishments and media resources, Ziwan Li's newsroom is the place to be, offering direct access to a range of materials. You are now viewing Balhae through Press Kit / Media Showcase 158219. Explore more in Newsroom 349212.