In connection with my last piece, I’ve begun exploring the look of the Zoras:





Click image for hi-res version.

Concept Notes:

From the beginning I wanted to retain the iconic and decidedly weird “head fin” from the original Zora designs:

One strange problem was the lack of clothing — in that clothing helps imply the kind of civilized culture I wanted to make the Zora in Project Z. It provides a space to message the aesthetics and themes of a culture. Yet, the Zora’s bodies are highly adapted to swimming, and most clothing would impede that function. It felt highly unnecessary.

Gaining some inspiration from my mother’s growing collection of betta fish and various traditional bridal jewelry, I decided to explore having those features as part of the organism. The betta fish fins substitute for drapery and fashion. The jewelry will be used in the traditional sense but also repeated in the scale patterns.

In short, no two Zora are the same. Their fin shapes vary widely and are styled for personal expression. Each Zora’s scale patterns are unique as well, like a finger print. The Zora then accent these features with jewelry. Females are typically taller than than males. Males and females differ in fin placement (Shoulders on Males, Thighs on Females).

Here’s other reference I looked at:



More from “Project Z”: