My choice of project was to create a merchandise set inspired by the hit anime and manga series One Piece. It was the final project for the Image One elective course, which focused on student-driven, image-dominant design. This set includes stickers of the main crew characters, a Jinbe Hawaiian t-shirt, a Luffy hoodie, and a Zoro backpack. 

  

One Piece is one of the longest-running anime and manga series of all time, with a vast and dedicated fanbase. It is most known for its quirky and vibrant character designs and styling. The art of One Piece is classically anime but distinct in its deep history and unique world-building. Fans are drawn to the cartoonish and childlike vibrancy, and they resonate deeply with the human stories of each character. The overarching objective of this project was to combine this style with digital processes, creating merchandise that would attract the audience of the series. 

  

Projects where I get to explore personal interests usually end up being some of my favorites. I believe some of the best learning opportunities arise from personal curiosity. Firstly, I researched deeply into manga art history, specifically line-making techniques, practicing the style of the author, Eiichiro Oda. I copied shading and line-making patterns using micron pens, then scanned them to use as background patterns. Each of the character designs were hand-illustrated, imitating the original style. I paired each character with a unique pattern and style, depending on their powers and popular symbolism. The three characters I focused on for the main patterns had three variations: digital monochromatic, hand-drawn, and digital color.