Mingsong Liu

NICE TO MEET U is an illustrated narrative project that explores the emotional bond between humans and their pets, focusing on themes of companionship, loss, and remembrance. Through a combination of real-life stories and visual storytelling, this project aims to give voice to an experience that is deeply personal yet universally shared — the joy of having a pet and the grief of saying goodbye.

Drawing from interviews with pet owners, I have collected intimate and emotionally rich accounts of life with pets, including moments of connection, conflict, care, and ultimately, loss. These narratives form the foundation of my creative process, guiding the development of a series of illustrations and sequential art pieces that reflect the complexity of human-animal relationships.

The visual language of the project is informed by storytelling techniques in comics and animated films, particularly works such as Marona’s Fantastic Tale and the narrative style of illustrator Minna Sundberg. I use color psychology, symbolic imagery (such as full moons, birds, and stars), and carefully designed compositions to enhance emotional expression and deepen viewer engagement.

This project not only serves as a tribute to the animals we love but also functions as a space for reflection and empathy. It invites viewers to revisit their memories, confront the pain of loss, and celebrate the enduring impact of these small but significant lives.