The Dragon King of Eastern Seas

View more of this project here…

Moodboards

Motif Development

Banner Composition Developments

Banner Printing and Exhibition

Pattern Swatches

Media Art Nexus

Media Wall Banner

It wasn’t easy constructing a horizontal banner of a design that is meant to be vertical. Many of my elements had to be re-composed and re-arranged to fit the new banner. I changed the colours a little too. However, finally seeing our works come to life on the Media Wall, was such a fulfilling experience. The colours of the screen really brought our the details of the banner, even better than the printed banner.

Pattern Swatches/ Application

Printing the Banner

Looking good next to Long Fei’s and Debbie’s! 🙂

Banner Development

Final Banner

Motifs & Sketches

Sketches

I started developing my compositions through sketches after vectoring the main motifs. I divided the canvas into two sections; the upper part depicting heaven, and the sea, where the Dragon King resides, and the lower portion, Earth. In the myth, the dragon spirit wanders around Earth during the Hungry Ghost Festival. Therefore, this illustration will show the Dragon King coming down to Earth at the start of the Hungry Ghost Festival. Offerings will be placed at the temple’s doorstop for the Dragon King as well. The framing suggests the Dragon entering the “gate” to Earth.

Moodboard (Dragon King)

I had difficulty coming up with fresh ideas from the previous concept, moreover, it was lacking also a “asian” element that was a requirement in the design brief. Hence, I decided to create my banner based on a Hungry Ghost Festival myth. I was intrigued by the story of the Dragon King and I felt inspired the moment I researched upon it.

The Dragon King of Eastern Seas

The legend of the Dragon King of the Eastern Seas, is lesser-known myth of the Hungry Ghost Festival. When the Dragon King was sentenced to death because of a wrong he did, he approached Emperor Tang Taizong for help. The Emperor felt sorry for him and vouched to do what he could to save the Dragon King’s life. Unfortunately, the plan did not succeed.

Shortly after his death, the Dragon King appeared in Emperor Tang’s dream for not keeping his promise. This resulted in his plight as a wandering spirit. On the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, Emperor Tang ordered all Buddhist and Taoist priests in the capital to offer prayers, as well as food and drink for the Dragon King, marking the beginning of the Hungry Ghost Festival.

Moodboards

Concept #1: “What goes around comes around”

Have you ever imagined yourself trapped in a never-ending maze? You are stuck and you can’t find your way out despite walking what felt like miles.

Maybe this maze is an ever-changing labyrinth? Why were you put here, perhaps you did something really wrong? Am I in a different dimension? What lies beneath these walls? Most importantly, what is waiting for me at the end?

Key words: Mazes, Optical illusion, Positive/ Negative space, Creatures lurking in darkness, Fear & Confusion

References: Stranger Things, Alice in Wonderland, Maze Runner, Silent Hill, M.C. Escher

Concept #2: Last man on Earth

This concept explores different scenarios of being alone on earth. Being too lonely can lead to cynical results. For instance, having to split your body in half, so that you will have a friend to talk to, or having dinner with a human head sewn onto a doll’s body.

As for the art direction, I wanted the illustrations to be lively and fun, even though there will be a little gore involved. I wil also be exploring with perspectives; for instance, having the audience spot the man (doing his crazy things) in a sea of buildings.

Key words: Cityscape, Loneliness, Gore, Perspective,

References: Joan Cornelia, Victo Ngai