Yiying Lu mixes whimsy with nods to technology and pop culture in her designs.
The Sydney-based artist's work has appeared as web logos, in fashion magazines and most famously, on Twitter's early error page. Lu's "Lifting a Dreamer" became better known as the "Fail Whale" after Twitter found the image on a stock-photo website in 2008.
See also: The Origin of Twitter's "Fail Whale"
Lu stopped by the Mashable House at SXSW 2014 to create a special piece inspired by the space. The result was a kooky, brilliant collision of Miley Cyrus and the Internet's most famous feline — that's right, it's Grumpy Cat riding a wrecking ball.
If anyone has ever conveyed their artistic talent in real life, it might be Lu. She bubbles with enthusiasm while displaying a sharp creative eye.
When asked what she hopes people can take away from her art, Lu said, "I hope that people will feel happier when they see my work, whether they are feeling amused, surprised, calm, intrigued, excited or liberated. I believe that art can change emotions, and our emotions affect our thoughts, while thoughts are the blueprints for us to create the reality, as thoughts controls action; if we can gain positive thoughts from happy art, this will help us to update our reality with better actions."
Lu shared more than a dozen of her most charming illustrations, offering a short description of each. Oh, and an animated version of Grumpy's ode to Miley.
"Personal art collection, also licensed to Smashing Magazine for Smashing Book 2."
"Illustration to depict different species of birds as different professions."
New art piece to commemorate Twitter’s initial public offering: the “IPO Hippo".
"Personal art collection, also licensed to Smashing Magazine for Smashing Book 2."
"Personal artwork, also licensed to Yes and Yes Yes Conference for the inaugural theme art of the event."
"Personal art collection, also licensed to Smashing Magazine for Smashing Book 2."
"Illustration to depict birds as"tweets" coming out from music."
"Personal art collection, also licensed to Smashing Magazine for Smashing Book 2."
"Personal art collection, also licensed to Smashing Magazine for Smashing Book 2."
"Originally designed as a birthday e-card for my friends overseas.​ The​ whale symbolized a huge amount of good wishes being carried by birds​ across the ocean. This image was used by Twitter from 2008-2013 as a visual error message when it gets overloaded. It is also known as the 'Twitter Fail Whale.'"
"Personal art collection, also licensed to Smashing Magazine for Smashing Book 2."
"Art commissioned by Conan O’Brien & Team Coco for the debut of Conan Show on TBS 2011, as a 'Break a Leg' good luck sign to the new show, also served as Team Coco's site 404 page. "
"New art piece to celebrate Twitter’s success at keeping the site up and stable, which Twitter hand struggled with during the early days of the service."
"Logo design for Twitter Capacity Team."
Personal art collection, also licensed to Smashing Magazine for Smashing Book 2.
"Impromptu art created live at Mashable House during SXSW 2014 Interactive on March 10th. ​Inspired by the presence of the ​actual Grumpy Cat​ ​and​ ​Wrecking Ball."
Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.