Curiosity for Unknown
This work is inspired by humans’ curiosity and fear of the unknown. I take the UMA series as a starting point; humans often possess curiosity about unknown creatures but simultaneously assume them to be dangerous. In this project, I propose that UMA creatures may have an ugly-cute appearance and want to be friends with humans.
Character Design
The characters in the UMA series are all based on eyewitness descriptions, combining animal traits to visualize these unknown creatures. For example, NINGEN features characteristics of a whale, and the Loch Ness Monster resembles an ancient plesiosaur. Additionally, to represent the adorable contrast of these unknown creatures, I added some unique personality to them, giving each character an unexpected side beneath their mysterious facade.