"A Fulfilling Life with Etiquette" Character Illustration & Exhibition Design

I designed a series of original characters aimed at promoting the beauty of traditional Chinese etiquette (禮) for a cultural exhibition at the Jao Tsung I Academy. By blending historical research with a modern "chibi-inspired" aesthetic, I created an approachable visual language that resonated with guests of all ages.

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The project evolved from digital illustrations into a physical, interactive experience, featuring life-sized foamboard props that encouraged guest engagement and social sharing.

My Role

Sole Illustrator & Graphic Designer

Timeline

January 2018

Client

Jao Tsung I Academy

Deliverables

Character Design, Environmental Props, Foamboard Design, and Publication Assets

Phase 01: Cultural Research & Ideation

Every character begins with a foundation of research. For this Jao Tsung I Academy project, I analyzed traditional Chinese attire, specifically focusing on traditional style patterns and silhouettes.

My goal was to modify these historical elements into a 'chibi-inspired' style that felt approachable and friendly for academy guests. I iterated on gestures and posture using pencil-on-paper sketches, allowing me to quickly explore composition and character personality before moving into high-fidelity vector production.

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Phase 02: Digital Transformation & Vector Refinement

In the second phase, I transitioned from paper to pixels using Adobe Illustrator. This wasn't a simple trace; I used the digital environment to further refine the characters' postures and gestures for better visual balance.

To ensure a professional finish, I meticulously traced the outlines and confirmed all paths were fully closed. This is a mandatory step for error free coloring and future die cutting. I then developed a custom, reusable pattern for the traditional attire to maintain consistency across both characters.

Finally, I utilized the Live Paint (Bucket) tool for efficient coloring and added strategic shadows to provide the characters with a polished, three-dimensional feel.

Phase 03: Production and Interactive Experience

In the final phase, I prepared the digital assets for physical production by scaling the graphics to meet the specific requirements provided by the exhibitor.

To ensure the final foamboard props were durable and visually clean, I added a border to smoothen and strengthen the outer edges. A critical part of the user experience involved designing a die cut face section within the characters. This allowed guests to place their faces inside the illustration for interactive photo shooting, successfully transforming a static graphic into a memorable physical experience at the academy.

Project Outcome

The illustrations were successfully produced as interactive foamboard props for the exhibition.

Both the color accuracy and print quality met all technical expectations, resulting in a professional physical installation.

This outcome effectively transformed the digital designs into a successful guest experience that enhanced the overall engagement at the academy.

Project Expansion: Chinese Wedding Culture Exhibition

Following the positive reception of the initial character designs, the Jao Tsung I Academy commissioned additional illustrations for an exhibition focused on Chinese wedding culture.

I created a groom and bride character set featuring the Xiuqiu, a traditional red silk ball symbolizing the red string of fate and marital harmony. This project allowed me to translate deep cultural heritage into an approachable style for a modern audience.