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Interviews with Wenxu Zhao
Designer profileDesign Interview
7 May 2025 · Night Tale Serie di illustrazioni
The core concept of this work is to construct a symbolically rich and emotionally resonant visual journey through the character of the “Strawberry Fish Girl.” She is the embodiment of my inner world, my alter ego. As a Pisces, the “fish” represents my imaginative, emotional, and fluid nature, while the “strawberry” symbolizes sweetness, softness, and a longing for healing. Whenever night falls and my mind begins to drift, this character naturally emerges.
The inspiration for this series comes from my personal growth, dreams, and deep self-reflection. Coming from a rational background in mathematics and transitioning into the pursuit of artistic freedom, I often found myself caught between logic and intuition, self-exploration and societal expectations. The Strawberry Fish Girl was born from this emotional state. Her journey is a surreal yet grounded path of self-discovery, filled with fantasy but tinged with the realities of life.
Nature is one of my most profound sources of inspiration. I’m deeply drawn to flowers, animals, and the emotional shifts brought by seasonal change. These elements frequently appear in my work, often carrying symbolic meaning: the peacock stands for inspiration and hope, the tiger represents pursuit and ambition, and the glowing dragonfly symbolizes guidance and the lightness of thought.
Through this series, I aim to explore the balance between fantasy and introspection, using visual language to capture emotions that are otherwise difficult to express. It serves both as my personal emotional diary and as a poetic response to the loneliness and longing for hope often felt by people living in modern cities.
The inspiration for this series comes from my personal growth, dreams, and deep self-reflection. Coming from a rational background in mathematics and transitioning into the pursuit of artistic freedom, I often found myself caught between logic and intuition, self-exploration and societal expectations. The Strawberry Fish Girl was born from this emotional state. Her journey is a surreal yet grounded path of self-discovery, filled with fantasy but tinged with the realities of life.
Nature is one of my most profound sources of inspiration. I’m deeply drawn to flowers, animals, and the emotional shifts brought by seasonal change. These elements frequently appear in my work, often carrying symbolic meaning: the peacock stands for inspiration and hope, the tiger represents pursuit and ambition, and the glowing dragonfly symbolizes guidance and the lightness of thought.
Through this series, I aim to explore the balance between fantasy and introspection, using visual language to capture emotions that are otherwise difficult to express. It serves both as my personal emotional diary and as a poetic response to the loneliness and longing for hope often felt by people living in modern cities.
My main focus was to authentically express the complexity of emotions through visual storytelling, particularly themes like getting lost in pursuit, fleeting hope, and the quiet companionship of oneself. I wanted this work to be more than just a dreamlike visual experience; I wanted it to evoke a psychological resonance, a gentle yet profound emotional connection that invites viewers to feel softness, vulnerability, curiosity, and resilience within themselves.
In terms of composition and character design, I aimed to use surreal imagery to give form to intangible emotions. Recurring animal symbols serve as psychological projections of the character: the tiger represents intense ambition and drive, yet the girl often loses her way in a maze-like landscape, symbolizing how we’re frequently derailed by external distractions in real life. The peacock, whose eyes sparkle with falling stars each night, represents creative inspiration and enduring hope. Glowing dragonflies, butterflies, and fireflies embody those small yet radiant moments of beauty we encounter in daily life.
Through the story of the Strawberry Fish Girl, I hope to inspire viewers to reconnect with their own inner world. Whether it’s young adults navigating life transitions or urban dwellers seeking a moment of stillness, I want them to find pieces of themselves within the series. For me, art is not about grand narratives. It’s about tender connection. It creates a space for pause and self-awareness, allowing people to momentarily step away from the noise of modern life and rediscover a sense of presence and emotional clarity.
In terms of composition and character design, I aimed to use surreal imagery to give form to intangible emotions. Recurring animal symbols serve as psychological projections of the character: the tiger represents intense ambition and drive, yet the girl often loses her way in a maze-like landscape, symbolizing how we’re frequently derailed by external distractions in real life. The peacock, whose eyes sparkle with falling stars each night, represents creative inspiration and enduring hope. Glowing dragonflies, butterflies, and fireflies embody those small yet radiant moments of beauty we encounter in daily life.
Through the story of the Strawberry Fish Girl, I hope to inspire viewers to reconnect with their own inner world. Whether it’s young adults navigating life transitions or urban dwellers seeking a moment of stillness, I want them to find pieces of themselves within the series. For me, art is not about grand narratives. It’s about tender connection. It creates a space for pause and self-awareness, allowing people to momentarily step away from the noise of modern life and rediscover a sense of presence and emotional clarity.
I plan to develop the “Strawberry Fish Girl” into a continuously expanding visual storytelling project, including picture books, creative merchandise, and immersive exhibitions. In the future, I will illustrate her in various scenes, wearing different outfits to express a range of emotions and narratives. These designs will appear not only in standalone artworks but also in a variety of merchandise such as postcards, stickers, journals, tote bags, and art prints, creating a collectible, emotionally resonant product series.
At the same time, I hope to develop more “related characters” around the Strawberry Fish Girl, her companions, who may be other girls or animal figures with symbolic emotional and natural traits. Together, they will form a complete, gentle, and whimsical fantasy universe.
At the same time, I hope to develop more “related characters” around the Strawberry Fish Girl, her companions, who may be other girls or animal figures with symbolic emotional and natural traits. Together, they will form a complete, gentle, and whimsical fantasy universe.
The concept took about a year to develop. It began with the idea of the fish girl, which went through multiple drafts and visual explorations. Later, the element of the strawberry was introduced, ultimately shaping the character’s final identity. I then designed multiple storylines and explored various directions in visual storytelling. Through a process of self-reflection, the series gradually came together and evolved into the body of work it is today.
This project was entirely initiated from personal inspiration. As someone who tends to internalize emotions, creating art is a way for me to dialogue with myself and better understand who I am. Through the Strawberry Fish Girl’s journey, I transform unspeakable thoughts and feelings from everyday life into visual symbols, using a poetic and dreamlike language to express emotional nuance.
Although the series may appear intimate and personal, the emotional states it explores, such as confusion, hope, loneliness, and self-identity, are universally experienced. Through this character, I hope to create an emotional connection, allowing viewers to find deep resonance within a fantasy world that may seem distant, yet feels profoundly close to the heart.
Although the series may appear intimate and personal, the emotional states it explores, such as confusion, hope, loneliness, and self-identity, are universally experienced. Through this character, I hope to create an emotional connection, allowing viewers to find deep resonance within a fantasy world that may seem distant, yet feels profoundly close to the heart.
It has not been produced by others. I plan to produce and use it myself.
I’ve always been passionate about visual storytelling that blends fantasy with emotional reality, especially using imagery to express inner emotional landscapes. The creation of the “Strawberry Fish Girl” allowed me to bring together my love for illustration, color, poetic metaphor, and natural elements, particularly floral motifs and animals, into a cohesive visual world.
This series emerged during a period of self-reflection and uncertainty in my life. As I navigated identity shifts and the unknowns of the future, I felt a strong need to record my emotions in an honest and gentle way. The Strawberry Fish Girl was born from this desire, she is both a projection of my inner world and a way for me to explore, understand, and reconstruct reality through imagination.
Through works like this, I aim to build a bridge between fantasy and reality, using delicate yet truthful visual language to offer both myself and viewers a space for pause, reflection, and emotional healing.
This series emerged during a period of self-reflection and uncertainty in my life. As I navigated identity shifts and the unknowns of the future, I felt a strong need to record my emotions in an honest and gentle way. The Strawberry Fish Girl was born from this desire, she is both a projection of my inner world and a way for me to explore, understand, and reconstruct reality through imagination.
Through works like this, I aim to build a bridge between fantasy and reality, using delicate yet truthful visual language to offer both myself and viewers a space for pause, reflection, and emotional healing.
While I primarily follow my intuition when designing, my approach to visual expression has been shaped by many artists I admire. I’ve appreciated the narrative sensitivity of Shaun Tan, the intricacy and texture in Victo Ngai’s work, and the emotional atmosphere created in Studio Ghibli’s films. These influences have subtly informed how I convey mood, imagination, and symbolic meaning in my own artistic voice.
The design appeals to both young adults and adults, especially those who enjoy poetic visuals, introspective themes, and imaginative storytelling. It resonates with viewers who are experiencing emotional transitions, searching for self-identity, or navigating moments of solitude and personal reflection.
This series may especially appeal to people with a sensitivity to aesthetics and emotion, including artists, writers, creatives, and those with an affinity for nature, fantasy, and symbolic imagery. It also speaks to audiences who find comfort in visual storytelling that combines softness with psychological depth, viewers who may be going through life changes, creative blocks, or moments of quiet longing.
This series may especially appeal to people with a sensitivity to aesthetics and emotion, including artists, writers, creatives, and those with an affinity for nature, fantasy, and symbolic imagery. It also speaks to audiences who find comfort in visual storytelling that combines softness with psychological depth, viewers who may be going through life changes, creative blocks, or moments of quiet longing.
What makes this work unique is the way it combines personal symbolism with emotional sensitivity and poetic visual storytelling. Unlike many fantasy-themed illustrations that focus solely on aesthetics or narrative, this series centers around the “Strawberry Fish Girl,” a character who embodies my inner emotional states and self-reflection.
She is not just a fictional figure but a mirror of my internal world. Each journey she takes and every scene she appears in symbolizes a shift in emotion or thought. The series becomes a form of visual self-narration, immersive, symbolic, and emotionally layered, offering a deeper psychological experience within a whimsical, dreamlike setting.
She is not just a fictional figure but a mirror of my internal world. Each journey she takes and every scene she appears in symbolizes a shift in emotion or thought. The series becomes a form of visual self-narration, immersive, symbolic, and emotionally layered, offering a deeper psychological experience within a whimsical, dreamlike setting.
The main character in my work, the “Strawberry Fish Girl,” is named after two symbolic parts of myself: “strawberry” represents a longing for sweetness and comfort, while “fish” reflects my Pisces nature—intuitive, imaginative, and emotionally rich. She is both playful and introspective, a reflection of my inner world.
The series itself is titled Night Tale, which captures the tone and emotional essence of the work. “Night” represents a time of quietness, dreaming, and introspection, a space where imagination awakens and hidden thoughts surface. “Tale” emphasizes the narrative aspect of the series, as each piece forms part of a larger emotional journey. Together, the title suggests a poetic exploration of one’s inner landscape under the veil of night, a visual diary of dreams, doubts, longings, and quiet hope.
The series itself is titled Night Tale, which captures the tone and emotional essence of the work. “Night” represents a time of quietness, dreaming, and introspection, a space where imagination awakens and hidden thoughts surface. “Tale” emphasizes the narrative aspect of the series, as each piece forms part of a larger emotional journey. Together, the title suggests a poetic exploration of one’s inner landscape under the veil of night, a visual diary of dreams, doubts, longings, and quiet hope.
I primarily used Photoshop to digitally create the illustrations. For the design-related elements, I also used tools like Canva to assist with layout and presentation.
I believe the most unique aspect of my design lies in the small creatures and subtle details within the scenes, like the dragonflies hidden in the maze, the tiny insects, and the little stars living on the peacock’s feathers. Their expressions and interactions add layers of narrative and emotion to the work, inviting viewers to look closer and discover hidden moments of connection and wonder.
Technology enabled me to blend digital and traditional methods seamlessly. Digital tools allowed for rich layers, clean revisions, and experimentation with light and texture, essential in building the magical, immersive quality of the artwork.
The design was primarily influenced by emotional and psychological reflection. I researched symbolic meanings of animals, colors, and visual storytelling strategies in picture books and film to shape the series’ emotional logic.
The biggest challenge in creating this work was finding the right balance between visual complexity and emotional clarity. At first, I often tried to include every idea, story, and symbol in a single piece, which led to overly crowded visuals that diluted the emotional focus.
I also struggled with perfectionism, constantly revising, scrapping, and starting over, trying to make every detail flawless. This mindset led to creative anxiety and stagnation. Over time, I realized that the most powerful works are not necessarily “perfect,” but honest. I began to follow my intuition more closely, practiced restraint, and focused on emotional flow and rhythm rather than packing in too much information.
This shift helped me rediscover the joy of creating, and the work itself became more breathable and emotionally resonant. Letting go of perfectionism was one of the most important breakthroughs I experienced in this series.
I also struggled with perfectionism, constantly revising, scrapping, and starting over, trying to make every detail flawless. This mindset led to creative anxiety and stagnation. Over time, I realized that the most powerful works are not necessarily “perfect,” but honest. I began to follow my intuition more closely, practiced restraint, and focused on emotional flow and rhythm rather than packing in too much information.
This shift helped me rediscover the joy of creating, and the work itself became more breathable and emotionally resonant. Letting go of perfectionism was one of the most important breakthroughs I experienced in this series.
I wanted my work to go beyond personal expression and reach a wider audience, people who could understand and connect with it, even across different cultures. Although this series is rooted in my own inner experiences, its themes, such as confusion, emotional fluctuation, self-identity, and hope, are universal and can resonate beyond language and geography.
My goal was to bring the story of the Strawberry Fish Girl to a broader, global stage and to build emotional and creative connections with audiences and artists around the world.
My goal was to bring the story of the Strawberry Fish Girl to a broader, global stage and to build emotional and creative connections with audiences and artists around the world.
One of the biggest lessons I learned during this project was to trust my intuition and embrace the beauty of imperfection. In the past, influenced by my background in mathematics, I often focused on structure and precision, sometimes to the point of over-controlling my work. But through this series, I came to realize that genuine emotional expression often emerges not from strict control, but from organic flow.
I also began to recognize the value of personal experience. What may seem like subtle or private emotions can actually reflect universal feelings. When I allowed myself to honestly portray my inner fluctuations through visual language, I found that viewers could sense the authenticity, and that emotional resonance gave the work its strength. This discovery reinforced my desire to tell stories through poetic symbolism and introspective imagery.
I also began to recognize the value of personal experience. What may seem like subtle or private emotions can actually reflect universal feelings. When I allowed myself to honestly portray my inner fluctuations through visual language, I found that viewers could sense the authenticity, and that emotional resonance gave the work its strength. This discovery reinforced my desire to tell stories through poetic symbolism and introspective imagery.
Just that this series is ongoing. I’m excited to continue building the Strawberry Fish Girl’s world and hope to share her journey through immersive installations, books, and cross-media collaborations in the near future.
Designer Interview
7 May 2025
I was born in China and have loved drawing and storytelling since I was a child. My artistic journey began with a blackboard handcrafted by my grandfather and the illustrated storybooks that accompanied me throughout my early years. As a child, I would often sit quietly by myself, fully immersed in drawing or reading—especially children’s magazines rich with illustrations, like Children’s Literature and Story King. These early experiences sparked my passion for visual storytelling.
Later, I pursued a double major in Mathematics and Art at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. This interdisciplinary education gave me both structured thinking and a keen sense of visual observation. What started as a hobby led me to spend long, focused days in the studio. Eventually, I pursued an MFA in Illustration as Visual Essay at the School of Visual Arts in New York, which solidified my desire to dedicate myself to visual storytelling as a lifelong pursuit.
I didn’t always intend to become a designer or artist, but my sensitivity to life, instinctive understanding of color, and desire to express my inner world led me to find consistent joy and self-affirmation in creating. Choosing the path of art was ultimately a way to build emotional bridges between people. I hope my work can awaken softness, imagination, and hope in the hearts of those who see it.
Later, I pursued a double major in Mathematics and Art at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. This interdisciplinary education gave me both structured thinking and a keen sense of visual observation. What started as a hobby led me to spend long, focused days in the studio. Eventually, I pursued an MFA in Illustration as Visual Essay at the School of Visual Arts in New York, which solidified my desire to dedicate myself to visual storytelling as a lifelong pursuit.
I didn’t always intend to become a designer or artist, but my sensitivity to life, instinctive understanding of color, and desire to express my inner world led me to find consistent joy and self-affirmation in creating. Choosing the path of art was ultimately a way to build emotional bridges between people. I hope my work can awaken softness, imagination, and hope in the hearts of those who see it.
Design is the visual language of emotion. It transforms ideas into something that can be truly felt. It carries both structure and poetry, shaping not only experiences but also meaning and memory. For me, design is more than just a form of expression; it’s a pathway to empathy and connection. It balances function with beauty and often reveals deeper spiritual layers through small details.
I enjoy designing immersive visual experiences, especially those that blend illustration, natural elements, fantasy, and emotional storytelling. I'm particularly drawn to works that are vibrant in color, rhythmically dynamic, and rich in visual symbolism, pieces that allow viewers to step instantly into a dreamlike world. I also love creating narrative-driven characters that not only support the story but also evoke emotional resonance and spark the viewer’s imagination. Whether through digital media or traditional hand-drawn techniques, I hope each design becomes an emotional touchpoint, something that invites the audience to pause, feel, and connect with their inner world.
My favorite design is Whispers of Winter, a generative art series I created using p5.js. It was my first project that deeply combined emotional expression with code, translating the feeling of winter into a living, visual meditation. Each piece is generated through algorithmic layering of textures and controlled randomness, making every outcome as unique as a snowflake.
In this work, I programmed custom brush functions, a spray brush to simulate soft snowfall and pencil-like lines to evoke the skeletal structure of wind-swept branches. This contrast between organic softness and angular form captures the emotional essence of winter: gentle, fragile, yet resilient. The entire visual system balances chaos and order, structure and spontaneity, just like the season itself.
To me, Whispers of Winter is not just a technical experiment, but an emotional practice. It allowed me to explore how code can become a language of feeling. It also marked a turning point in my artistic journey, where I discovered a deeper connection between nature, introspection, and generative logic.
In this work, I programmed custom brush functions, a spray brush to simulate soft snowfall and pencil-like lines to evoke the skeletal structure of wind-swept branches. This contrast between organic softness and angular form captures the emotional essence of winter: gentle, fragile, yet resilient. The entire visual system balances chaos and order, structure and spontaneity, just like the season itself.
To me, Whispers of Winter is not just a technical experiment, but an emotional practice. It allowed me to explore how code can become a language of feeling. It also marked a turning point in my artistic journey, where I discovered a deeper connection between nature, introspection, and generative logic.
One of my favorite tools is the digital illustration platform Procreate, which allows me to intuitively capture inspiration and create spontaneously. I also love the tactile quality of traditional hand-drawing, working with a variety of media including acrylic gouache, watercolor, and colored pencils. The textures and brushstrokes of each material allow me to express emotions with greater sensitivity.
In the realm of generative art, I use p5.js to create algorithm-based works, blending rhythm, form, and inspiration from nature into dynamic digital compositions.
In the realm of generative art, I use p5.js to create algorithm-based works, blending rhythm, form, and inspiration from nature into dynamic digital compositions.
I tend to feel the most creative during emotionally rich or sensitive moments. For example, at night, especially right before falling asleep, dreamlike ideas often emerge naturally, and visuals become more vivid. I also feel deeply inspired on days with beautiful weather, when I'm surrounded by nature and feel a sense of lightness and connection. Sometimes, a specific moment that moves or saddens me, whether it’s a scene, a melody, or an unexpected emotion, can also become a powerful spark for creativity.
A successful design must first be able to evoke a genuine feeling. It should resonate emotionally with its audience and spark some kind of response. At the same time, it needs to be useful. It should clearly communicate its message or function and solve a specific problem. For me, the most ideal design exists at the intersection of emotional impact and practical clarity. It doesn’t need to be complex or flashy, but it must be intentional, sincere, and capable of forming a connection with people. A truly successful design is memorable, invites the viewer to pause, and creates a subtle sense of inner resonance.
I first look at whether it feels sincere, intentional, and immersive, rather than simply following trends or relying on surface-level aesthetics. I also pay close attention to whether the design conveys a unique emotion or idea and whether it guides the viewer into feeling or resonance. I believe a good design is not defined by how complex or glamorous it is, but by how clearly, accurately, and warmly it expresses the creator’s intent. If a design moves people visually, leaves an emotional impression, and maintains clarity in its function, then it carries the essential qualities of strong design.
I believe that designers are not just creators of visuals, but also messengers of values and awareness. Creating with empathy and a strong sense of responsibility is essential. Design shouldn’t only serve short-term attention, it should also consider its long-term cultural and societal impact. Every visual decision and every way we communicate can influence how people perceive certain topics, communities, or even themselves.
On an environmental level, designers should be mindful of material usage, production methods, and the visual system’s dependence on resources. Whenever possible, we should adopt sustainable strategies and reduce unnecessary consumption. On a societal level, we must stay aware of diverse cultural contexts, lived experiences, and modes of expression, avoiding stereotypes and aesthetic dominance, and making space for inclusive and pluralistic visual languages.
I believe design can be a gentle force for social progress. It doesn’t have to be grand in scale, but it must be sincere, and always conscious.
On an environmental level, designers should be mindful of material usage, production methods, and the visual system’s dependence on resources. Whenever possible, we should adopt sustainable strategies and reduce unnecessary consumption. On a societal level, we must stay aware of diverse cultural contexts, lived experiences, and modes of expression, avoiding stereotypes and aesthetic dominance, and making space for inclusive and pluralistic visual languages.
I believe design can be a gentle force for social progress. It doesn’t have to be grand in scale, but it must be sincere, and always conscious.
Design is becoming increasingly interdisciplinary, deeply integrating with fields such as technology, psychology, ecology, and human behavior. The traditional role of the “designer” is constantly expanding, no longer just a builder of interfaces or visuals, but also a curator of emotional experiences, a guide of interaction paths, and a participant in cultural storytelling. Design is shifting from static to dynamic, from image to process, and from passive visuals to active interaction.
My inspiration comes from a wide range of sources, primarily nature, emotions, dreams, elements of Chinese culture, and small moments in everyday life. I enjoy walking, sketching, and taking photos in different natural environments. Those sensory experiences offered by life and nature are my most powerful creative fuel. My sensitivity to the beauty hidden in everyday corners often triggers visual associations. For me, creation begins with feeling, then transforms into imagery. It’s about allowing emotion and sensation to flow freely through the tip of the brush.
