ARTEFACT 2
There are many designs featuring elements from different countries in the game Valorant. This diversified design can attract fans from various countries. I chose this lotus element design for my second creation. In my opinion, lotus flowers are pure and beautiful, so I designed the image of a little girl and filled it with similar colors. Finally, let the little girl hold the lotus flower in the game, and the gun is designed as a hairpin..
The process of becoming a transcultural fan is not bound by any necessary cultural, geographical, or national difference or similarity. Instead, it happens “because of a moment of affinity between the fan and transcultural object”(Chin & Morimoto 2013: 104–5). Their article explains what connects cross-national fan groups. Different countries have different cultures and habits, and people's preferences may vary greatly. However, these fans come together because of a shared interest in the same thing. This connection goes beyond borders and backgrounds. It shows that fandom can create bridges between people who might otherwise never interact.
A good example is how people from different countries find opportunities to connect because they love the same game, like VALORANT. The game has built a large global community. Players from Asia, Europe, North America, and elsewhere come together to play, watch, and discuss the game. They may speak different languages and have different daily lives, but their shared passion gives them a common ground.
To attract and keep this global fan base, the game's developers also put in effort. They incorporate cultural elements from various countries into the design of characters and weapon skins. For example, they use Chinese dragon elements, Japanese ninja elements, and American hip-hop elements. These designs help players from different cultures feel seen and included. They also create more points of connection between fans, who may appreciate and discuss these cultural references together.
The artefact I designed this time combines elements from a gun skin in VALORANT. This skin features the “lotus" from Chinese culture. In ancient Chinese poetry, the lotus symbolizes purity, beauty, and an untarnished image. It grows from mud but remains clean and elegant. This meaning adds depth to the design. So, for my artefact, I created a character—a little girl in green clothes—and added lotus and gun details as embellishments. The green clothes match the natural and fresh feeling of the lotus. The gun element connects back to the game, while the lotus adds a layer of cultural meaning.
Among different fan groups, fan art is a very common form of expression. Fans take what they love and add their own creativity and thoughts. They reimagine characters, create new stories, or blend different cultural elements together. These works also spark discussion and interaction within fan communities. People share their art, give feedback, and build connections through their creations. This shows that fandom is not just about consuming content. It is also about participating, creating, and sharing with others who have the same passion.