DT—26
Zixin Zhou
I am an illustrator based in Canada, focusing on character-driven imagery with a strong emphasis on mood and atmosphere. My work uses dramatic lighting and controlled compositions to express emotional tension and inner states. I am particularly interested in creating images that feel quiet but slightly unsettling, balancing softness with a darker undertone. I enjoy using visual storytelling to communicate subtle ideas without relying on overly literal narratives.
Beauty Anxiety Tarot Card Illustration
A series of illustrated cards exploring feelings of discomfort and pressure related to beauty standards. The images focus on restrained compositions and subtle distortions to reflect emotional tension. By combining soft rendering with darker visual elements, the work suggests a contrast between outward appearance and internal experience.
Injustice of Dou E
An illustrated narrative based on the Chinese play, Dou E, exploring themes of false accusation, scapegoating, and systemic corruption. The project also reflects a sense of restrained feminine rage, expressed through Dou E’s final vow, which takes on the weight of a curse. Her voice, denied in life, returns as something that cannot be ignored.
The Siren
A mockup gameplay video for a narrative puzzle game set in an abandoned laboratory, following the perspective of a siren attempting to escape. The project presents how the game would function in real time, showing scene navigation, object interaction, and clue collection. Players move between connected spaces, such as a lab and office area, using documents, locked elements, and environmental details to piece together the story.
