For Age of Empires: Chinese Art of the Qin and Han Dynasties, I led the creative concept and design for a collection of exhibition-driven merchandise inspired by one of The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s most ambitious presentations of ancient Chinese culture. The challenge was to create a visual identity for retail products that honored the exhibition’s scholarly significance while appealing to a contemporary audience.

Drawing inspiration from the iconic Terracotta Warriors and the exhibition’s exploration of imperial China, I developed a design system that balanced historical authenticity with modern sophistication. The visual approach emphasized strong contrasts, rich textures, and carefully curated imagery to evoke the grandeur, craftsmanship, and cultural legacy of the Qin and Han dynasties.

Working closely with exhibition stakeholders, merchandising teams, and production partners, I directed the creative development of promotional materials, digital assets, and product presentation. Each element was designed to extend the visitor experience beyond the galleries and transform exhibition content into meaningful retail storytelling.

A particular focus of the project was elevating exhibition merchandise through thoughtful art direction and photography. By combining museum-quality presentation with contemporary retail design principles, the collection helped connect audiences with the exhibition’s themes while creating products that felt both educational and desirable.

From concept development through final execution, Age of Empires reflects my ability to translate complex historical subject matter into compelling visual experiences that support institutional goals, engage audiences, and strengthen the connection between cultural content and commerce.