Information


I am a passionate Product Designer and Graphic Illustrator with a talent for transforming creative visions into impactful products. My expertise spans trend analysis, 2D/3D design, and prototyping, allowing me to craft designs that seamlessly balance storytelling, functionality, and aesthetics.

By prioritising designs that resonate with audiences and make a meaningful market impact, I excel at transforming ideas into outstanding outcomes.

I'm currently open to new opportunities—let's collaborate to bring your vision to life!

Back




Aug 2022
Shanghai My Yao Friends: Rediscovering the Soul of Chinese Legendary CreaturesVisual Storybook｜Character Design | StorytellingThrough whimsical illustrations and heartwarming tales, My Yao Friends reimagines Chinese legendary creatures as soulful companions, blending ancient folklore with modern storytelling to celebrate their charm and individuality.


In Chinese culture, yao (妖) have long been misunderstood. Seen as ominous symbols of the unknown, they were often avoided, feared, and pushed into the shadows of folklore. But what if yao were not creatures to be shunned, but companions waiting to be rediscovered?

After reading The Encyclopedia of Chinese Yao, I found a new appreciation for these ancient beings. They are more than symbols of superstition—they have personalities, emotions, and unique powers, much like humans. Inspired by this realization, I created My Yao Friends, a picture book series that celebrates the charm and warmth of Chinese yao. Through stories of friendship, adventure, and harmony, I hope to bring yao back into our lives as delightful, soulful companions.

The Stereotypical Depictions of Yao Guai in Chinese Traditional Texts 
    
The Man-Eating Yao Guai


The Inspiration
The origins of yao lie deep in China’s history, born from humanity's attempts to explain the unexplainable. In ancient times, when people could not understand sudden storms, flashes of lightning, or the wind that swept through mountain passes, they imagined these forces as yao—mysterious beings who gave form to the unknown.

As science progressed, the cultural significance of yao faded. Unlike Japan's yokai, which live on in modern media and folklore (like the celebrated Hyakki Yagyō), Chinese yao have been largely forgotten, dismissed as relics of superstition. But I believe the stories of yao still hold value. They reflect human imagination, cultural reverence for nature, and the complexity of the unknown.

My Yao Friends seeks to redefine these creatures, giving them a new narrative—one filled with wonder, joy, and connection.

The Concept: Making Friends with Yao
This picture book series tells the story of humans and yao living side by side, adventuring together, and forming unexpected friendships. Each yao is presented not as a figure of fear but as a companion with a unique personality and a story to tell:
  • Zouwu — The swift beast who can travel a thousand miles a day. Together, we soar across endless mountains and valleys, discovering the joy of boundless freedom.
  • Changming Chicken — A wise and patient yao. Through endless games of chess, it teaches me the beauty of patience and strategic thinking.
  • Boyi, the Cloaked Guardian — In a dark bamboo forest, where fear lurks in every shadow, Boyi’s fur-lined cloak becomes my shield of courage, helping me stand tall against the unknown.

In these stories, yao are no longer symbols of darkness but friends who enrich our lives with their wisdom, kindness, and quirks.

Visual and Creative Process
To capture the essence of the yao and their world, I blended traditional Chinese aesthetics with modern storytelling techniques:
  • Traditional Chinese Art: Inspired by ancient landscape paintings, I used flowing lines, misty mountains, and organic forms to create a dreamlike and ever-changing yao world.
  • Character Design: Each yao is carefully crafted to reflect its traditional roots while incorporating modern creativity, making them both familiar and enchanting.
  • Material Experiments: I explored innovative formats like dragon-scale bindings and textured paper, enhancing the tactile and visual experience to immerse readers in the story.


Reinterpreting Yao Culture
At its core, My Yao Friends seeks to challenge misconceptions. Yao are not merely relics of superstition—they are the embodiment of human imagination and a reverence for the unknown. Through this project, I hope to:
  • Restore the Soul of Yao: By presenting yao as beings with warmth, wisdom, and individuality, we can see them as reflections of ourselves.
  • Celebrate Chinese Folklore: These stories revive a rich yet overlooked part of Chinese culture, bringing yao back into the public imagination.
  • Add Wonder to Everyday Life: In a modern age, the charm of yao offers us new ways to spark curiosity, creativity, and joy.

Final Output

  • A beautifully illustrated picture book series: Stories of friendship and harmony between humans and yao.
  • Rich, atmospheric visuals: A blend of traditional Chinese aesthetics and contemporary design.
  • Innovative materials: Dragon-scale bindings and textured papers for an immersive reading experience.

My Yao Friends invites you into a world where yao are not creatures to fear but friends to cherish—guides who remind us of the beauty hidden in the unknown.

Back