The Purrisian Kingdom: Where Cats Ruled the World envisions a fictional era, the Meow Dynasty, where cats have replaced humans as rulers, blending traditional Chinese culture with feline symbolism. This project reimagines cats’ mysterious and powerful role in shaping history, featuring elements of Chinese architecture, costumes, patterns, and colors. Using Chinese fabrics, fans, and original illustrations, I’ve created a visual archive that explores how cultural aesthetics can build unique historical narratives. The project highlights new possibilities for speculative design and world-building, offering fresh perspectives on storytelling through imaginative design.
The Purrisian Kingdom
This project was inspired by themes of escapism and creativity. Many of us feel overwhelmed by societal pressures and personal struggles, and I wanted to create an alternate world where imagination provides relief.
The narrative imagines a scenario where cats, after witnessing human neglect, take over as rulers. This lighthearted concept blends fantasy with alternate history, creating a space for people to explore emotions through creativity and self-reexamination.
BACKGROUND
TECHNIQUES
To bring this world to life, I used various techniques, including screen printing, riso printing, and digital illustration. I also experimented with textured papers and laser cutting to add depth and dimension to the designs. Software like Illustrator, InDesign, Procreate, and Photoshop played a vital role in my process.
The design style combines playful & royal aesthetics, making it visually engaging while staying rooted in cultural symbolism.
To complement the world-building, I collected artifact pieces like fabrics, patterns, and accessories for inspiration that reflect the luxurious lifestyle of the cat rulers while staying true to the traditional Chinese inspirations. The creative process started with extensive research and sketching. I explored different ideas for architecture, costumes, and patterns before finalizing the designs. Each sketch was a step closer to refining the visual identity of the Meow Dynasty.
PROCESS
This project was not without challenges. The most significant hurdles was ensuring cultural authenticity. Since Chinese culture is not my culture I had to be very careful to represent it correctly. An interesting challenge was distinguishing between Chinese and Japanese architecture. Because Japanese architecture is influenced by Chinese styles, which is simpler and more minimalist, whereas traditional Chinese structures are often highly detailed and feature curvy rooflines, understanding these differences took a long research, but it was essential for creating an authentic visual narrative.
