Iron Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design · 2022
The Phoenix Poster
by Te-Sian Shih
- A' Design Award 2022 Iron Winner in Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design
- Awarded April 15, 2022
- CLIENT: Te-Sian Shih
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 13,517
- Verification code E13A2FDDBF · Verify this award
About The Phoenix Poster
The Phoenix is a key visual poster created for a music academy and festival in Taipei. The central image combines music waves with the shape of a violin, forming a phoenix that spreads its wings. The orange waves at the center also suggest a flame, representing the effort and enthusiasm of the musicians and the staff. The dark blue background is built from curved lines that recall the sea and sound waves. The poster was made entirely from drawn lines, without photographs, using blend modes in image editing software.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- She designed this key visual poster for Taipei Music Academy and Festival combines the violin with the image of flame, the phoenix, and the sea and music's sonic (music waves). The poster makes people feel the smooth lines, the sea's feeling, sonic waves, and musicians' enthusiasm.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- 18cm width x 0 cm dept x 24cm height
The lines should be thicker than 0.5 mm for printing, so she made each line in the poster thicker than 0.5 mm. - Tags
- Visual design, poster design, layout design, key visual design, graphic design.
- Production Technology
- In adobe photoshop, the designer could choose a blend mode group.
She used lines to make two different shapes of images and combined them with adobe photoshop's multiply and color dodge to make the violin with phoenix's wings.
Besides, She made darken blue background with lines that look like waves. - Design Challenge
- To create a poster without any real picture was a new challenge for 2021's poster design because, in 2020, the designer used the real violin's image to be the main character. This year she had to create the whole picture by herself.
- Project Duration
- The project started in September 2020 in Taipei and finished in December 2020 in Taipei, and it was exhibited in the United States in July 2021 due to Taipei's pandemic.
- Operation Flow
- When people look at the poster, they see the phoenix and violin combined image first.
When viewers follow the background's blue lines, their eyes will see the date, activity's name, and then sponsors' names on it.
Every image has logic to put in its place. - Research
- The trance-formations in eastern music performance are natural and flowing music style, floating clouds, and flowing water.
The shape in the background represents the feeling of flying in music and waves of music.
Besides, The center image combines music waves and a violin shape image, and it looks like a phoenix spreading its wings. The orange-colored waves in the center of the poster represent a flying phoenix. The phoenix represents hard work and the enthusiasm of musicians and all the staff. - Inspiration
- The designer designed another key visual poster for Taipei Music Academy and Festival in 2020. She used the real violin's image to be Taipei Music Academy and Festival's main visual, so the team decided to use lines to communicate the abstract music feeling this year to separate the difference between 2020's key visual poster and 2021's poster.
- Image Credits
- Designer Te-Sian, Shih, phoenix, 2020.
- Patents
- Copyrights belong to Te-Sian Shih, 2020.
Colors of The Phoenix Poster
Design Interview about The Phoenix Poster
It's the enthusiasm of the masters and the flow of music that makes the music sound like in the ocean and feel comfortable.
Enthusiastic and comfortable music from the masters and all participants.
I want to make the brand image an elegant, high-quality concert
I want to make the brand image an elegant, high-quality concert
Customers ask me to put this visual in their 2023's music activity poster but edit some parts.
This award-winning design has been published in Art Shopping Louvre Carrousel du Louvre, Paris 2022.
This award-winning design has been published in Art Shopping Louvre Carrousel du Louvre, Paris 2022.
Many days.
Because of the contrast between passion and gentle music like the ocean
Enthusiasm infuses activities but makes listeners happy and broad.
It was commissioned by Taipei Music Academy and Festival in SanFrancisco.
Enthusiasm infuses activities but makes listeners happy and broad.
It was commissioned by Taipei Music Academy and Festival in SanFrancisco.
My Design work didn't use by another company, and it has won DNA Paris Design Awards and Muse Design Awards.
Besides, it has been published in Art Shopping Louvre Carrousel du Louvre, Paris 2022.
Besides, it has been published in Art Shopping Louvre Carrousel du Louvre, Paris 2022.
Consumers ask me to do the abstract design project.
Taipei Music Academy and Festival in SanFrancisco
I drew all the lines with my imagination.
All orange lines combine together to be a Phoenix image in an abstract way.
other blue lines to be the background to present the music wave and make audiences feel like in the ocean.
other blue lines to be the background to present the music wave and make audiences feel like in the ocean.
Illustrator software
To use lines to create abstract phoenix images and waves.
I did it by myself.
To create all the images and the whole picture by lines I drew.
No.
I didn't research any reference webs or places.
I didn't research any reference webs or places.
To create elements from zero to be a whole image.
I hope can help consumers to promote their activity.
I have learned new skills when I have free time.
Grand Interview about The Phoenix Poster
Because the client wanted me to convey the passion of the concert and a sense of comfort for the audience, without making the theme too explicit, I came up with this design featuring flowing lines that outline a flaming phoenix — symbolizing both passion and the calm, soothing quality of music, like drifting in the ocean. The client really liked the flame-like lines, and the following year they wanted to continue using this phoenix motif as the main visual.Of course, I made a different but same style key visual design in the following year.When I designed it, I intended it to represent the image of a phoenix reborn from the ashes because it was ongoing pandemic at the time and to indicate the musicians’ passion, but also the idea of a dove of peace. By changing the flame-like lines to white and change the shape, the abstract form could also be seen as a dove. I find it fascinating how a single set of abstract lines can convey so many meanings through different colors, shape, and perspectives, allowing the audience to interpret it freely — creating a subtle and engaging interaction.
Yes, because the printed version needed to make the lines visible to the audience without making them too thick and losing their elegance, I calculated the overall size of the poster and compared different proportions to find a balance — making sure the main visual lines stood out at first glance but still looked refined. I think this requires both a sense of mathematics and aesthetic sensitivity to get it just right. I also discussed this part with the client and asked for their feedback before making the final decision.
On one hand, the client requested an abstract main visual that year, and on the other hand, I personally enjoy challenging myself with different design styles. Design, to me, is about solving problems, so I believe that as a designer, I need to have the ability to adapt to and fulfill each client’s desired style. Of course, I also have a personality that enjoys exploring different styles — sometimes, by experimenting more, you discover new and creative ways to approach design.
I was inspired by musical notes and sound waves. When I was a child I have learned piano and musical notation, I’ve always felt that music has a unique charm that makes people feel as if they’re immersed in an ocean of sound. That’s why I decided to use lines to represent both the main visual of music and the idea of sound waves.Since sound waves naturally bring to mind flowing lines, I used abstract lines to depict the fiery phoenix. I made sure the lines weren’t too rigid — they needed to have a sense of smooth movement to express the fluidity of music. This design conveys the musicians’ artistic passion and ideals — passionate yet gentle, like waves of sound. When the audience sees the main visual, I don’t want them to perceive it as just a literal image of a phoenix, but rather to feel the passion and harmony of music infused with the musicians’ spirit and message of peace.
At that time, I thought that since the main visual was a striking, fiery phoenix, the background should be something gentler — an ocean of sound waves that represents the soothing quality of music. Even in the following year when the main visual's line shape was changed to a softer white dove to symbolize the dove of peace, pairing it with the vast, calming “musical sea” still felt very fitting.I believe that Eastern art and culture often carry a sense of Zen — a quiet strength. The calm blue ocean evokes relaxation, yet it also holds an endless, flowing energy within it. This resonates with the essence of Zen. I hoped that the audience could feel that same tranquil power of music through the design.
I’ve always been a graphic and brand designer who integrates both Eastern and Western influences. While studying for my master’s degree in Packaging and Branding Design at Pratt Institute in New York, I began combining Western design layouts and thinking methods with Eastern Zen philosophy. I genuinely enjoy exploring different cultures and building friendships around the world, then weaving those experiences into my life and creative work. By drawing from the unique characteristics of each culture and design style, I’ve developed my own distinctive aesthetic.This particular poster was later reinterpreted with the imagery and shape of a dove of peace and submitted to the A Design Awards the following year, where it received a Bronze Award. It was my first time creating a design that used the same shape from a completely different conceptual angle — blending Zen philosophy with abstraction — as a new and experimental design style.
I discussed the theme with the client, and I suggested that it should convey encouragement and bring a sense of calm to people’s anxiety. The client wanted to express that their passion for music remained strong even during the pandemic and that they hoped to inspire others through it.Based on that idea, I designed a main visual featuring a phoenix reborn from flames — symbolizing renewal and resilience even after hardship. The inspiration came from the phoenix scene in the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics, which represented rebirth through fire. The blue background, paired with smooth flowing lines, represents the movement of sound waves.The following year, the client wanted to continue using the same main visual. I suggested presenting it in a different form and shape, since when I first designed the phoenix, I had already envisioned that I could change its shape and color. It could be transformed into a dove of peace — symbolizing tranquility and comfort for people.This way, the phoenix main visual from the previous year and the dove of peace main visual from the following year appear as part of a continuous series, yet each has its own distinct form and character.
I believe that a good composition requires an understanding of balance and organization. The colors should feel harmonious, without creating a sense of discord. Each element needs to be placed in the right position, and similar elements should be grouped together — identical ones should be neatly aligned. Ultimately, it all comes down to experience, intuition, and logic — much like the thought process of organizing items in an orderly way.
I believe that “less is more” is a very important concept. Choosing the right typeface is also crucial — it needs to match or be created to reflect the brand’s personality, along with the color palette. The main visual should also align with the brand’s character. In high-end branding, you rarely see very bold, wild typefaces or extremely bright, flashy designs. Even when I’m not working on high-end branding projects, I avoid overcrowding the layout, because it can confuse people about where to focus. It’s important to make the design visually attracting while clearly communicating the key information.
As I mentioned earlier, I am a brand designer from Taiwan who transitioned to studying a master’s in Packaging Design at Pratt Institute in New York, blending Eastern and Western cultural sensibilities in my work. I enjoy exploring the unique cultural characteristics of different countries and regions and integrating them into my personal design style. Sometimes, life experiences themselves shape my design approach. As my experiences evolve, I gain new philosophical insights, which I combine with Western layout and design concepts to create fresh and innovative design styles.