Zodiacville Runners: A Whimsical Children's Fairy Tale

An Experimental Blend of Traditional Korean Minhwa and Digital Illustration

The inspiration for Zodiacville Runners came from workshops where the illustrator and writer collaborated to enrich the story with creative ideas. The plot incorporates elements such as the four-character idiom "Monkeys and dogs don't get along well," adding depth and humor to the episodes.

What sets this project apart is its experimental approach, blending traditional Korean minhwa attributes, fable narratives, and the illustrator's digital pointillism painting style. The folkish episodes of the Zodiacville animals are infused with a joyful and humorous sentiment, perfectly capturing the festive atmosphere of the running festival.

Juyeon Park realized the unique pointillism style by meticulously layering hard-type dots in a digital drawing environment. This technique, inspired by the oriental back-painting technique, creates a visually stunning effect that adds depth and texture to the illustrations.

The book itself measures 260mm x 260mm and features rounding post-processing to ensure the safety of young readers. It is designed to engage children and educators alike, with Part 1 catering to children and Part 2 providing learning guides and supplementary materials for educators. The illustrations and Russian hint texts in Part 2 encourage children to learn Korean and Korean culture naturally, while the yellow-highlighted keywords prompt further exploration and understanding.

The Zodiacville Runners project was carried out from October 2018 to February 2019 primarily in South Korea. However, the books are planned to be distributed in other countries such as Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine, introducing children from diverse backgrounds to the wonders of Korean folklore.

Throughout the design process, Juyeon Park conducted extensive research to ensure the accuracy and appeal of the animal characters. Detailed anatomical research was undertaken to represent the animals in a way that aligns with the cognitive abilities of young children. By analyzing the actual bones and muscle structures of the animals, the illustrator was able to simplify and stylize their silhouettes, giving them distinct and endearing character traits.

One of the challenges faced during the creation of Zodiacville Runners was striking the right balance between humor and sensitivity. As the book was intended for educational purposes, there were concerns about conveying distorted visual messages to impressionable young minds. To address this, the contents were continuously reviewed and consulted by professional elementary teachers and volunteers from youth institutions. The illustrations underwent modifications to ensure they did not perpetuate negative stereotypes or portray certain races or minority classes in a negative light.

Zodiacville Runners is a testament to the creativity and resourcefulness of Juyeon Park. The project has been recognized with the prestigious Bronze A' Design Award in the Print and Published Media Design category in 2021. This award celebrates designs that demonstrate outstanding creativity and ingenuity, incorporating best practices in art, science, design, and technology. Zodiacville Runners not only captivates young readers but also contributes to the improvement of quality of life, making the world a better place.

Image Credits: Juyeon Park, 2019