Selected Works
From the Studio
↗
↗
↗
↗
↗
This project was inspired by my experience living in New York. As a student here, I often visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where I am constantly drawn to artifacts from different countries and time periods.
From European decorative objects to Chinese ceramics and ancient Egyptian sculptures, each piece carries not only aesthetic beauty but also layers of history and memory.
Spending time in these quiet gallery spaces made me wonder if there might be an unseen presence gently watching over these objects. This idea led me to create the character of a "little angel" — an invisible guardian who moves through the museum, caring for these artifacts in a soft and intimate way.
Through this project, I aim to transform these distant, static objects into something more emotional and imaginative. By placing the angel within these historical pieces, I hope to create a sense of warmth and connection, allowing viewers to experience these artifacts not just as objects, but as stories still quietly alive.
Studying the history, artifacts, and costumes of each era. Each object required careful research to understand its cultural context and visual language.
Developing compositions and character poses through rough sketches. Exploring how the angel interacts with each artifact.
Testing colour palettes to find the right mood. The palette draws from the warmth of museum galleries — amber, cream, and antique gold.
"Through sorrow and betrayal, she tore away the painted veil — and at last, saw herself clearly."
W. Somerset Maugham's novel follows Kitty Fane, a woman whose journey from vanity to self-discovery forms the emotional backbone of this illustrated retelling.
Each spread pairs narrative text with full-colour illustrations, drawing from a rich palette of dark burgundy, candlelight gold, and twilight blue to evoke the emotional weight of each chapter.
Researching early 20th century fashion, Chinese village life, and Colonial Hong Kong to ground the visual world in authentic historical detail.
Developing Kitty's character arc visually — her posture, expression, and clothing shift across the narrative to reflect her inner transformation.
Applying a restrained palette — deep burgundy, warm candlelight, dusty blue — to give each spread a cinematic atmosphere.
"Girls always try various ways to be beautiful, and losing weight is the most common way."
For my part, I always want to try different ways to keep slim, but because of long periods of self-restraint, sometimes I can't control myself.
This project uses the visual language of theatre — a stage framed by dark curtains, a crow as silent witness — to tell the story of Kaoru, a girl caught in the cycle of bulimia nervosa.
The story follows Kaoru through six transformations: from the normal girl to the unravelling, chagrined, bingeing, vomiting, and finally mad Kaoru — a progression drawn in ink and shadow.
Exploring Kaoru through multiple design references — BJD dolls, blind box figures, and Tim Burton's aesthetic. Six distinct transformation states map her psychological descent.
The story is told through the form of a stage play, with grotesque props and dark theatrical elements — branches, a crow, curtains — amplifying the atmosphere.
The completed accordion book, printed and assembled by hand. Photographed by candlelight to reflect the dark, intimate atmosphere of the work.
Two panoramic illustrations combining Eastern and Western beverage culture with mythological beasts — the jade dragon and the white tiger. Applied to coffee cup sleeves and packaging bags.
Coffee and tea are the representatives of Chinese and Western beverages. I combined the drink with sacred beasts in Chinese mythology — the jade dragon and the white tiger — to express the integration of Eastern and Western cultures.
Researching jade pendants and statues of the blue dragon and the white tiger, extracting their visual characteristics to create the mythological figures in the final illustration.
Narrative-focused illustrator and visual designer based in New York, with a strong interest in translating cultural, editorial, and literary concepts into compelling visual storytelling.
Experienced in digital content production and editorial illustration through work with Visual China Group. Skilled in developing cohesive visual systems across platforms, with a practice rooted in character, atmosphere, and narrative-driven design.
For collaborations, licensing, or just to share what my work made you feel — reach out anytime.
kitana [at] example.com