Reviving Tradition: Si Li's Award-Winning Poster Design

Si Li's "We Were Born in China" Captures Chinese Wildlife Through Traditional Shadow Play

In an era of digital art and design, Si Li takes a step back to embrace tradition in his award-winning poster design, "We Were Born in China". Drawing inspiration from the Chinese traditional shadow play, Si Li masterfully combines the living environment of Chinese wildlife with the Chinese landscape, creating a unique visual expression that highlights the traditional features of ink and shadow.

Si Li's design takes a unique approach by focusing on three wild animals native to China: the panda, the snow leopard, and the golden monkey. Each animal is depicted in its natural habitat, from the bamboo forests of Sichuan to the snow-covered plateaus and the trees of Shennongjia. The design's unique properties lie in its ability to capture the essence of these animals and their environments, while also highlighting their distinctive Chinese characteristics.

The poster was realized through printing, with a size of 787 x 1092mm. Si Li's design process involved creating unique animal images using the technique of shadow cut paper-cut, and incorporating silhouettes of the Chinese landscape in the background. This approach not only made the Chinese flavor more prominent but also presented a challenge: how to interpret tradition in a modern context.

Si Li's design is not just about aesthetics; it carries a message. When people see the poster, Si Li wants them to recognize the characteristics of China, to feel the unique features of Chinese animals and mountains, and to think about nature. The design is a call to protect these beautiful species, a reminder of their preciousness and uniqueness.

The project began in January 2017 and was completed in Shanghai. Despite the challenges faced, Si Li's design was recognized for its excellence and impact, winning the Golden A' Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design Award in 2018. The award is granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom, and significantly impact the world with their desirable characteristics.

In conclusion, Si Li's "We Were Born in China" is a testament to the power of tradition in modern design. It is a celebration of Chinese wildlife and landscape, a call to protect nature, and a reminder of the beauty and uniqueness of Chinese culture. With its unique visual expression and meaningful message, it is no surprise that this design has been recognized and awarded for its excellence.


Project Details and Credits

Project Designers: Si Li
Image Credits: Illustrator / Creator,We were born in China#1
Project Team Members: Myself
Project Name: We were born in China
Project Client: Si Li


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