Goal: To translate evocative song lyrics into a surreal visual landscape that explores the duality of human emotion—specifically the intersection of joy and grief. (song: Song request by Lee Sora)
My Role: Concept Artist and Visual Designer. I was responsible for the creative interpretation of the source material, asset compositing, and the technical execution of the final surrealist piece.
The Creative Concept: The project was inspired by lyrics calling for a song to match both a “smile” and a “suffocating night.” My objective was to create a “choose-your-own-emotion” experience for the viewer, using a single environment to represent two conflicting internal states.
Research & Symbolism: I focused my research on the dual symbolism of rain. While often viewed as a sign of sorrow, I chose to reinterpret it as both a life-giving force and a medium for grief: The “Smile” (Optimism): I paired rain with sunshine, butterflies, and sunflowers. In this half of the composition, a figure splashes in puddles to symbolize resilience and finding joy within the storm. The “Sorrow” (Grief): Conversely, I used rain to represent the “sky crying.” This side utilizes a desaturated palette of deep greys and blacks, featuring a grieving figure under a vibrant red and blue umbrella—the only “bruises” of color in a dark world. Key Motifs: To deepen the narrative, I incorporated a blackened rose and a shattered picture frame to symbolize loss and broken memories.
Execution & Technical Process: The centerpiece of the design is an old-fashioned radio, serving as the conduit for these “songs” of joy and sadness.
- Software: Adobe Photoshop.
- Advanced Techniques: I utilized complex masking and blending to merge the two atmospheric worlds seamlessly.
- Digital Manipulation: To create the “shattered” effect, I manually duplicated and positioned glass shards, varying opacity and layer styles to achieve realistic depth and transparency.
- Atmospheric Grading: I carefully balanced color saturation and sharpness to guide the viewer’s eye from the vibrant “sun-rain” to the heavy, suffocating darkness of the opposite side.
The Result: The final piece is a surreal, split-narrative landscape that prompts the viewer to reflect on their own emotional state. It moves beyond simple imagery to ask a deeper question: What is the song currently playing for you?
