Xuanyi Li
Fantasy Currency Design
Prompt: Use a combination of digital and handmade media. It's better to work large at this stage. At the end of the project, we will make smaller prints. You may focus on one side, but you should have a sketch out concept for both sides. Think about how the contrast between two sides build your larger concept together. Use the decorative language of guilloche and further visual research to build a sense of value that is your own.
This project uses the panda as the main visual subject and reimagines it through the format of a banknote. The panda is one of the most recognizable symbols of China, often associated with nature, peace, and cultural identity. I chose this image because it represents where I come from, while also being easily understood in a global context. By placing the panda into a currency-like design, I wanted to explore how cultural symbols can carry value beyond money.
The layout of the work is inspired by real banknotes, including elements such as borders, serial numbers, and detailed line patterns. I studied the visual structure of currency design and adapted it into my own illustration style. The drawing is created using fine lines and layered textures, which reference traditional engraving techniques while still feeling hand-drawn and personal. I also included traditional Chinese elements such as bamboo and cloud motifs to connect the design more closely to its cultural origins.
For the color palette, I intentionally avoided realistic or traditional money colors. Instead, I used soft purples, green, and red to give the piece a more contemporary and youthful feeling. This color choice helps shift the design away from authority and formality, and makes it feel more experimental and approachable.
Overall, this project is an exploration of how traditional cultural imagery can be reinterpreted through modern graphic design. As a first-year student, this work reflects my interest in combining illustration, layout, and cultural storytelling, while experimenting with how design can communicate identity in a visual and conceptual way.