Pre-design and visual development
Exploring the look of Ci: Ci is a collection of nations forcibly unified by a western power, Soland. The area of Ci shown in the pilot is inspired by China but has almost become an imitation of itself through the encroachment of Solandan (European) influences.
Here I aimed for an exuberant obliviousness on the part of the colonizing Solandan architects, combining western (French chinoiserie and Portuguese Manueline) and Chinese architecture with tea imagery. I also looked at real examples of colonial architecture, such as the Sino-Portuguese style, and western-influenced Chinese architecture, such as the largely Jesuit-designed Western mansions of the Old Summer Place (Yuanmingyuan).
Here I aimed for an exuberant obliviousness on the part of the colonizing Solandan architects, combining western (French chinoiserie and Portuguese Manueline) and Chinese architecture with tea imagery. I also looked at real examples of colonial architecture, such as the Sino-Portuguese style, and western-influenced Chinese architecture, such as the largely Jesuit-designed Western mansions of the Old Summer Place (Yuanmingyuan).
REF: Coffee and tea service designed by Hyacinthe Regier 1855-61
REF: Chinoiserie wallpaper by Rex Whistler, 1932
REF: The Great Fountain of Yuanmingyuan (Summer Palace, Beijing), 1783-86
REF: Peranakan houses, Singapore
Exploring the House of Gongfu Cha, an old house of tea (tea magic) belonging to the family of Wen Yi, who has been plagued with prophetic visions of her death by drowning. Ceremonial tea magic has faded into half-remembered legend.
Early ground plan explorations for the estate.
Ground plan for Wen Yi's room.
3/4 view of the House of Gongfu Cha
Initial bedroom concept
NOTE TO SELF: REPLACE WITH NEW MODELS
NOTE TO SELF: REPLACE WITH NEW MODELS
NOTE TO SELF: REPLACE WITH NEW MODELS
NOTE TO SELF: REPLACE WITH NEW MODELS
Designs for Wen Yi's carriage. I did a clean detail and graphics pass over Seungmin's concepts.
Background design
NOTE TO SELF: REPLACE WITH UPDATED SE
Graphics
Graphics for Wen Yi's room. Wen Yi has an interest in history, so I thought she might collect illustrated panels depicting tea production, tea magic, and tea exports (to Soland in the west). Because Ci has been colonized for a while, I referenced Chinese illustrations created for western audiences. Other graphics reference her journey (death/rebirth) and powers of prophecy—these are more rooted in Chinese culture.
Since the character 茶 (tea) is the proud logo of the House of Gongfu Cha, I figured it was legal to use actual Chinese and an actual Tang poem on hanging scrolls! I went with clerical script for the calligraphy style because it's dignified, strongly graphic like Kaitlyn Chen's house seal designs, and easily readable (though my favorite will always be small seal script).
Some of the panels along Wen Yi's room are called WIP but were enough for the final BG designs.
Since the character 茶 (tea) is the proud logo of the House of Gongfu Cha, I figured it was legal to use actual Chinese and an actual Tang poem on hanging scrolls! I went with clerical script for the calligraphy style because it's dignified, strongly graphic like Kaitlyn Chen's house seal designs, and easily readable (though my favorite will always be small seal script).
Some of the panels along Wen Yi's room are called WIP but were enough for the final BG designs.
Background paint
Card for Mya's transformation sequence.
Card for Wen Yi's transformation sequence.
Transformation card concepts that ended up being too limiting.
