Zijin Zheng

I’m Zijin Zheng, a passionate storyteller experienced in illustration across a wide range of media. I prioritize telling an interesting story by giving it the right illustrative, storybook feel. 

The Rain Monster 

A children’s book consisting of thirteen illustrated spreads. The project was developed from my personal experience of frequently forgetting things and struggling with memory. Remembering positive moments has always felt both important and difficult to me. Rainmonster was created to preserve and highlight small, gentle moments—good things that happen quietly in everyday life but are often forgotten or overlooked. Through illustration and narrative, the book reflects on memory, care, and the value of holding onto fleeting experiences. 

The Perfect Garden 

An illustrated children’s book exploring the coexistence of perfection and imperfection in a magical garden. On the surface, the garden appears flawless, with vibrant flowers and playful creatures, but hidden corners reveal decay, forgotten plants, and small creatures performing essential roles in the ecosystem. 

A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings 

An illustrated zine based on Gabriel García Márquez’s short story of the same name, examining the tension between individuality and collective indifference in human society. The project asks: How does a community respond to the extraordinary, and what is the cost of societal curiosity and exploitation on the vulnerable individual?

The City of Despina

Two illustrations of the city called Despina, a fictional setting from Italo Calvino’s novel, Invisible Cities. Despina is located between the desert and the ocean, where people travel by camel and boat. One illustration centers on camel travel with boats in the background, while the other shifts focus to boats, with camels still present.