Yongqi Ai

Installation.
It explores how individuals are gradually eroded under prolonged stress, while also revealing a broader social phenomenon: many of our choices are not truly made from within, but are shaped and constrained by external environments, social norms, and collective expectations.

I visualised ‘invisible pressure’ as a closed-loop system: a cold, lab-stand structure suspends rusted metal scraps above a fragile egg. Clear water drips from above, gradually rusting the metal. Over time, the murky drops stain the egg below—symbolising the slow, silent erosion of the self under daily stress.

This is a brand worldview and promotional short film design. In this work, I envisioned the cross-border collaboration between the Natural History Museum and Gentle Monster.

By combining the characteristics and visual styles of both brands, I developed a complete narrative and presented it through 3D animation. The animation functions as both a promotional piece and a visual interpretation of the collaborative collection’s aesthetic and concept.

Set in a future world, the story envisions a time when humanity’s excessive exploitation of the environment has led to the mutation of countless animals, resulting in hybrid ‘monster’ creatures. This narrative not only raises awareness about the urgency of sustainable development but also reflects the collision of nature and futurism.

This project is an exploration of a new design style. I based my creation on traditional playing cards, incorporating the sculptural and pictorial aesthetics of the Art Nouveau period. By blending Chinese traditional elements with my personal taste, I aimed to develop a new visual language that bridges Eastern and Western cultures, exploring how traditional aesthetics can be reinterpreted and continued within contemporary design.