Reviving Ancient Chinese Motifs for Modern Surface Design — My Collaboration with Spoonflower

When Spoonflower reached out to me for a collaboration about traditional Chinese motifs and their modern reinterpretations, I had one of those rare “oh… they see me” moments.

The kind of moment that makes a Projector feel deeply, deliciously recognised.

Because here’s the truth:
Before The Whimsical Repose became a pastel zoo of emotionally chaotic animals, I spent years studying classical Chinese literature and history. My academic background has always shaped how I draw, even if it's a penguin wearing a beautiful hanfu. 

So when Spoonflower asked me to help educate their global audience about ancient motifs — and show how artists today are giving them a modern twist — it felt like the universe had aligned perfectly. 

What the Collaboration Was About

Spoonflower was creating a blog article exploring:

• the origins of traditional Chinese motifs,
• their meaning and symbolism,
• how these motifs appear in historical textiles and artworks,
• and how contemporary artists and surface designers reinterpret them today.

Why This Topic Means So Much to Me

Most people don’t know this, but elements like:

• flowing curves
• repeating patterns
• symbolic animals
• story-rich compositions
• natural motifs like clouds, waves, peonies, carp, and cranes

These show up in old scroll paintings and embroidery…
and they also sneak into my stickers, prints, and characters today, esp me newest collection of art prints.

So getting to share the deeper meaning behind motifs like:

• the carp (perseverance+ transformation)
• the lotus (purity + renewal)
• clouds (luck + auspicious movement)
• plum blossoms (resilience + winter hope)

…was an honour.

This wasn’t just a design assignment.
It was cultural storytelling.

What I Contributed

For the Spoonflower blog post, I shared:

• overarching view of motifs typically seen in ancient art
• examples of motifs I personally love and the stories surrounding them
• insights on cultural context (because motifs aren’t just “aesthetic,” they’re meaning-rich)
• curated a list of artworks on Spoonflower where the artists reinterpreted  ancient motifs in modern day fabric and wall art designs.

Ancient Motifs, Modern Magic

One of the things I explained in the article was how traditional Chinese patterns were never just decorative.

They were:

• talismans
• blessings
• stories
• cultural identity
• artistic codes passed down generations

When modern artists reinvent these motifs in today’s surface design world, we aren’t “copying” — we’re continuing a conversation that started hundreds of years ago.

We’re saying:
“I see the past. I honour it. Now let me add my voice.”

A Collaboration That Felt Like Home

This project was one of those rare collaborations where every part of me fit:

• my illustrator self
• my academic Chinese background
• my love for symbolism and folklore
• my desire to educate through play
• and my Projector joy of being invited and recognised

It felt aligned.
It felt meaningful.
And it reminded me why I create.

Read the Spoonflower Feature HERE

 

Interested in a Collaboration?

If you're a brand, publication, or creative team looking to work with an illustrator who blends cultural storytelling, whimsical characters, and a playful-but-thoughtful voice — I’d love to chat.

Let’s create something meaningful (and adorable) together.

Reach out via my contact page or email me at hello@thewhimsicalrepose.com