Animation art from Disney’s BAMBI (1942) by Tyrus Wong
TYRUS
A Paper Son
Book Design,
Brand Identity
Client:
Student Project at ArtCenter
Instructor:
Christian Perez-Morin
Tyrus — A Paper Son is a book and poster design project inspired by the life and work of artist Tyrus Wong. The project explores his journey through thoughtful editorial design, typography, and visual storytelling.
The logo is a striking synthesis of East and West—combining the clean, linear typography of the Western name Tyrus with the expressive, calligraphic strokes of the Chinese character for Wong. Together, they create a visual identity that symbolizes Tyrus Wong’s life as both an immigrant navigating American culture and an artist rooted in Chinese heritage.
About Tyrus:
Monogram & Logo:
Tyrus Wong (1910–2016) was a Chinese American artist, calligrapher, painter, and illustrator, best known for his influential work as the lead artist on Disney’s Bambi (1942). Born in China, he immigrated to the U.S. as a child under the restrictive Chinese Exclusion Act, entering as a “paper son.” Despite hardships, he built a remarkable career, blending traditional Chinese painting techniques with Western art.
I created this series of illustrations to tell the story of Tyrus Wong’s life, inspired by the idea of engawa — the space between inside and outside. Each calm, gentle scene, marked by a touch of red, captures key moments from his journey — from his migration to the U.S. as a young boy to his groundbreaking work in Hollywood.
Illustrations:
I also painted the background of the poster
using expressive brushstrokes, inspired by Tyrus Wong’s calligraphic style, to reflect his artistry and cultural roots.
