Installation art: Chesselves
Yutong Lu
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Editorial illustration featured in issue 5 for Children in Scotland
About me
Hi, I'm an illustrator from Zhejiang, China, now based in Edinburgh.
As a next-gen illustrator, I've sharpened my digital illustration skills during my four-year undergrad creative journey and delved deeper into my passions for digital art, animation, and 3D media. I've observed the inclusivity and immense potential of illustration across various mediums, inspiring me to explore its intersection with other visual media further to push creative boundaries. I thrive on challenging different mediums and exploring diverse themes. I've consciously used my projects to deliver meaningful content to the audience, express values and reflect on issues like body image anxiety and the obligation of beauty. I've also advocated for menstrual care for transgender individuals and against animal performance. As I progress into my postgraduate studies, I aim to showcase my talents on a broader creative platform and explore and push my artistic potential, laying a solid foundation to better integrate into the design industry for my future career.
Thank you for stopping by my web page. I hope you find enjoyment in exploring my creations.
Circus: Chinese traditional rock painting
Circus
Traditional painting on paper
Rock painting, White frame and Textured paper
Size: 20cmx20cm
This project was inspired by zoos that are still hosting animal performances in China.
I utilised Rock Paint materials to create six artworks, swapping the perspectives of humans and animals. Animals become spectators, while humans are depicted as performers. I aim to evoke empathy and highlight the challenges behind every animal's performance.
Beauty Duty
3D Animation
I created a 3D animation to challenge the societal pressure of "Beauty Duty" in China. This trend, where people sacrifice time, money, and even health to meet perceived aesthetic norms, has sparked widespread online debate. I firmly believe that beauty shouldn't be obligatory. I conceptualized a "Beauty Island" to express that beauty shouldn't be an obligation for everyone. This island has a volcano at its centre, which means the explosive growth of current societal beauty trends. Surrounding it is a production line that moulds the process of individuals who wish to fit contemporary beauty standards through stages like mirrors, makeup rooms, weight loss facilities, and cosmetic clinics. The island is encased in a crystal ball, symbolizing perpetual scrutiny.
Using Nomad for 3D modelling, Unity for dynamic animations, and Adobe Premiere Pro for seamless video editing, this project explores the implications of conforming to perceived aesthetic norms. By visually depicting the consequences, I aim to inspire dialogue and promote a more inclusive definition of beauty.
Chesselves
Animation / Installation
White fabric, Cardboard and Projector
The final installation features projections onto a white fabric surface with suspended cardboard chess pieces. The animations and GIFs depict aspects of self, including confidence, courage, and constraint, drawing inspiration from the characteristics of each chess piece and the "looking glass self" theory. The ambient sounds of chess gameplay and social chatter create a simulated social environment, enriching the immersive experience. The white fabric acts as a mirror, symbolising the reflective nature of social interactions explored through the lens of sociological theory. It reflects the transformations of individuals within different social contexts, highlighting their strengths and vulnerabilities. Additionally, viewers can engage in multi-sensory interactions with the installation through auditory, visual, and tactile stimuli, further enhancing the immersive experience and encouraging deeper reflection on personal identities and societal interactions. The video captures the installation from various angles, inviting viewers to reflect on their identities and societal interactions.
Fast Food Era
Frame-by-frame animation & GIFs
'Fast and Lost' is a contemplation on the modern world's pace and its impact on our values. Created using Procreate for frame-by-frame illustration and Adobe Premiere Pro for video editing, the concise animations urge viewers to consider the importance of slowing down and preserving patience in our hectic lives.
Children's picture book
Why Apples Fall
Inspired by Newton's apple story, this children's book explores gravity through the perspectives of diverse characters. I utilised drawing software such as Photoshop and Procreate. It encourages curiosity and creativity, using minimal text and vibrant visuals to engage young readers.
Awards
Skills & Experience
- Collaboration with Children in Scotland, my editorial illustration was chosen to be published in Issue 5 of their magazine.
- Collaboration with Crumble Magazine, my editorial illustration was chosen to be published in Issue 8 of their magazine.
- A riso print comic created for the book 'The heart of Midlothian', exhibited in the National Library of Scotland.
- Worked with Edinburgh International Book Festival Communities, creating two editorial illustrations.
- Printing Skills: Intaglio Print, Lino Cut Print, Riso Print, Letterpress Print, Screen Print
- Software Skills: Procreate, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Premiere Pro, Unity, Nomad
Yutong Lu
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