Shiyao Yin
Jorinde and Joringel
This is the cover illustration I created for the fairy tale Jorinde and Joringel, reimagined through a decorative narrative lens. I chose this story for its haunting atmosphere and symbolic richness, and sought to express its emotional core through intricate visual metaphors—such as birds representing transformation and captivity, flowers symbolizing a guiding light of salvation, and a distant castle as a sign of entrapment and eventual release.
The composition is richly adorned with ornamental elements to reflect the tale’s poetic tone. I also designed the title typography to intertwine organically with the vine patterns in the image, allowing text and illustration to merge into a cohesive whole. This piece was created digitally, with layered textures to evoke a handcrafted, tactile quality.
Through this cover, I aim to invite viewers into a world where decoration serves not just as embellishment, but as a vital narrative force.
Materials & Digital Tools: photoshop
About the illustrator
My name is Shiyao Yin, and I am an illustrator who recently graduated from the MFA Illustration program at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). My work focuses on decorative narrative illustration, blending fairytale imagery with personal emotions to build poetic visual worlds. I often use plants, animals, and symbolic elements to construct emotional spaces, combining soft color palettes and intricate patterns to convey inner states. While I primarily work digitally, I layer hand-drawn textures to create a tactile and warm visual quality. I also explore how illustration can extend across mediums such as books and textiles, enriching its aesthetic and narrative potential.
Contact
Website: https://shiyao.art
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheayin24