Cygames Calendar April 2022: Cherry Blossoms Theme
Liven up your PC or smartphone with the Cygames Calendar! We have one of our illustrators create a uniquely themed image each month and ask them to tell us about their creative process. April’s theme is “Cherry Blossoms.”
Let this month’s image bring some holiday cheer to your PC or smartphone!
Click here for this month’s calendar image.
- Illustration TeamMidori
- After spending her student years studying advertising & web graphic design, Midori is now in charge of illustrations for Cygames’ ongoing titles. Midori’s specialties are male characters and food.
Neon x Street
Off to eat some cherry blossom sweets!
Can you tell us about the scene you’ve created here?
- Midori
- It’s an illustration of two brothers who both have a serious sweet tooth on their way to eat seasonal cherry blossom-themed desserts.
Why did you decide to go with cherry blossoms as the theme?
- Midori
- A lot of different things come to mind when I think about April, but you can’t talk about the seasons in Japan without picturing cherry blossoms. Seeing the cherry blossoms start to bloom is what tells us that spring has sprung, filling everyone’s hearts with joy and excitement.
The neon gives the illustration quite a unique vibe. What inspired it?
- Midori
- When I decided to go with the cherry blossom theme, I wanted to approach drawing the flowers in a different way. From thinking about cherry blossoms at night, I came up with the pink and blue color theme, which brought me to the idea of neon signs. I’d never drawn neon signs before, so it was something I wanted to try.
Could you tell us about these characters’ personalities?
- Midori
- They’re brothers who are close in age and share a love of sweet treats. I imagined a cool and taciturn little brother, alongside his wild, extroverted big brother who’s reliable in a pinch. They’re polar opposites but somehow they get along really well.
Their expressions and the items they’re carrying really help the brothers’ different personalities come through. How did you go about drawing two distinct characters?
- Midori
- I tried to emphasize the contrast between the two by using hard and angular lines for the little brother, and a softer, gentler approach for the big brother. Though they’re different, I put them in matching jackets and sunglasses to depict their close bond.
The characters, outfits, treats, and neon all come together to make the illustration so enchanting. How did you come up with the outfits and accessories?
- Midori
- Going off the pink and blue neon motif, I wanted to unify all the different components with a pop aesthetic. So I introduced the street style elements, and then added little details to depict the characters’ love for sweet treats and the cherry blossom theme.
The cat looks very comfortable. Do you like cats?
- Midori
- I love them! The cat in the image is more attached to the younger brother, so it’s happy to be held and feels relaxed. By the way, I used my own cat as a model. (laughs)
What inspired the background of the illustration?
- Midori
- I wanted to locate my illustration in the not too distant future, in this space where the line between reality and virtual reality is blurred.
Which part of the illustration felt the most natural to work on?
- Midori
- I love drawing food, so it was drawing the drinks in their hands and the candies in their pockets. Doing all the detail work on the packaging was the most enjoyable for me. Also, I loved everything about drawing the cat.
You’re in charge of illustration for Cygames’ ongoing titles. Did you draw on some of that experience in creating this image?
- Midori
- I think my everyday work has taught me how much of an impact fine details have on characterization and expressions. I created this illustration with an awareness that even changing the hands slightly could greatly alter the impression it gives off.
What would you say was the most difficult part of creating this illustration?
- Midori
- I spent the most time coming up with the image itself and figuring out the composition. Since cherry blossoms are such a common theme, I was really focused on giving it my own twist.
What did you study at university?
- Midori
- Graphic design for advertising and the internet. I’m basically self-taught when it comes to illustration.
Did you enjoy drawing during your childhood?
- Midori
- Yes, I loved drawing as a kid. When I was really little I would look at my mother’s drawings and think how amazing they were, and how I wanted to be able to do that. I’ve been drawing ever since then.
It doesn’t seem like you originally thought that you’d be an illustrator.
- Midori
- I’ve always loved drawing, I just didn’t think that I would do it as a profession. Thankfully, however, my art has brought about so many amazing opportunities for me that I’m able to keep doing what I love. We can’t predict what will happen in the future, so I want to keep doing the things I enjoy.
What is the best part about being an illustrator?
- Midori
- Putting the illustrations and characters I’ve worked on out into the world. I’m always delighted to get feedback from players and it really gives me a sense that my work is worthwhile. It’s also been incredible to learn how to express things through art that I’m not as able to put into words.
As an illustrator, is it hard for you to switch off your work brain when you’re done for the day?
- Midori
- It can be. When I see a thing or place that I think would be a great reference, I’ll snap a picture of it or take some notes. And whether in the streets or on the train, I often study people’s fashion and hairstyles.
On a final note, do you have a message for the readers?
- Midori
- Given how difficult it is to freely gather with people for cherry blossom parties right now, I hope that my art can serve to lift your spirits and put a bit of a spring in everyone’s step.
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