In my illustration classes, we incorporate media into assignments as a model for actual projects we may receive while working. Rather than replicating existing art, illustration focuses on translating ideas into different forms of communication. For this project, I decided to create animated music graphics, translating audio into visuals by representing musical elements through animation.
Music plays an influential role in both my life and art, from serving as a source of inspiration to helping me concentrate while working on a piece. As demonstrated through lyrics, music videos, and performances, art forms are not exclusive but instead can be combined to augment each other. This fusion informed my idea of creating artwork that accompanied another’s existing piece. In particular, I was inspired by how the Korean artist Nine (Jung Wookjin) arranges covers, reinterpreting songs from a personal perspective.
This project also addresses technical areas I wish to improve in, including graphic design, character design, 2D animation, and digital art.
2025
12" x 9"
Krita and Blender Video Editing
Concept and Citations
When I first listened to this piece, the rhythmic guitar intro reminded me of raindrops hitting the ground. From here, I expanded the rain concept due to the intriguing juxtaposition between water as a fluid, smooth medium and the music’s staccato, percussive sound. Since the title contains three words, translating to “Self-Love, Self-Praise, and Self-Consciousness,” I decided to animate three corresponding segments. Due to this language emphasis, I explored more typography animation, utilizing words as the main medium of musical representation. Along with reflecting the music through rippling puddles and rising waves, I also incorporated music into the animation’s aesthetic. Miyavi’s distinctive slap-style technique, which can be heard throughout this piece, draws inspiration from how the shamisen, a traditional Japanese stringed instrument, is played. Thus, for the “Self-Consciousness” animation, I depicted Miyavi in clothes and a pose inspired by traditional Japanese shamisen players.
Music: “Jikoai, Jigajisan, Jiishikikajou” by Miyavi. Original Youtube Video.
Illustrated Character: Miyavi
2025
11" x 9"
Ink on Paper, Krita
Concept and Citations
Music: “Prisoners” by Jiluka. Original Youtube Video.
Illustrated Character: Jiluka members, Boogie, Ricko, Zyean, and Sena
2025
10" x 9"
Krita
Concept and Citations
For this piece, I was inspired by how the Korean artist Nine arranges covers and edits his videos, reinterpreting the song from a personal perspective. So I decided to create my own interpretation of his cover as an animated graphic.
The abstract animated elements are meant to represent the various sounds in the music: angular zigzags for the opening melody, fluid shapes for Nine’s soft vocals, and radiating lines for the electronic hum. A lot is happening in this design because I wanted to try animating different shapes.
Overall, I’m happy with how it turned out, especially considering this is only my third time animating. So far, I seem to be better at animating liquids rather than lines. Initially, the animation sequence was shorter, but the blinking rate felt unnaturally fast when looped, so I duplicated the other elements to create a longer sequence.
Music: “Automatic” by Chancellor, covered by Nine. Original Youtube Video.
Illustrated Character: Nine (Jung Wookjin) of OnlyOneOf