Overview

This project was a personal summer piece I created to expand my portfolio. It began as an entry for Chromacorps, a character design competition. Although I was unable to finish in time for submission, I developed full character turnarounds which I later translated into a 3D model and illustration.
 

For this design, I set out to balance the aesthetics of a futuristic cyberpunk dystopia with traditional Chinese superstition and supernatural elements. My main inspiration was the myth of the Jiangshi. While Jiangshi are often portrayed as male, I wanted to explore a narrative contradiction: a Qing dynasty palace maid whose preserved body is uncovered centuries in the future. Scientists, believing they’ve achieved a medical breakthrough, revive her — celebrating their success without realizing that her return to life stems from vengeance and improper burial rituals.
 

To break away from a purely Qing-inspired design, I drew on Tang dynasty fashion and makeup to symbolize female freedom and revival. While the character’s story is rooted in Qing history, incorporating Tang aesthetics emphasized her transformation — not just as an undead being, but as a figure reclaiming agency and identity in a future that never expected her return.
 

This concept allowed me to explore both visual storytelling and technical execution, producing an original design that blends cultural mythology, narrative, and 3D production workflows. The final result bridges illustration and 3D modeling, showing my ability to carry a design from concept art through to production-ready assets.