National Essence: A Bold Stand Against Haze Pollution

Lin Ding's Environmental Poster Series Highlights the Impact of Haze on Chinese Heritage

The inspiration for "National Essence" came from the increasing prevalence of haze in Chinese people's lives since 2013. In December 2016, China's eastern region experienced heavy pollution, with average daily concentrations in heavily polluted cities reaching 71. The situation was so severe that the PM2.5 index in Shijiazhuang Century Park exceeded 1000 micrograms per cubic meter, and the haze shrouded more than 1/7 of the country's land area.

Lin Ding's unique approach to this environmental issue involved using elements of Chinese traditional culture, rare animals, world heritage sites, and literary characters as the protagonists of the posters. These characters are depicted in a haze environment, symbolizing the threat that pollution poses to Chinese culture and heritage. The aim is to urge both the government and individuals to pay more attention to environmental issues.

The posters were created using Adobe Photoshop, with a flat design style to keep the message concise and direct. The effect of impurities and particles was used to emphasize the theme of haze pollution. The size of each poster is 600 x 850 mm.

The design process involved extensive research, including library books and various internet resources on environmental problems, Chinese historical figures, and color references. The challenge was to create a design with Chinese characteristics that could flatten three-dimensional characters and animals while maintaining their distinct features. The color scheme was also carefully considered to reflect the haze's impact.

"National Essence" is a powerful reminder of the urgent need for environmental protection. By depicting the state of Chinese national culture under the haze, Lin Ding hopes to inspire more people to take action against pollution. The design project, which took just under two months to complete in Nanjing, China, is a testament to the power of art and design in raising awareness about pressing global issues.