Clarkesworld Magazine Abstraction Is When I Design Giant Death Creatures and Attraction Is When I Do It for You by Claire Jia-Wen (audio)
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Sep 1, 2025 Dive into a world where fantastical design meets dystopian realities. The creator struggles with ambition while crafting giant death creatures, all under the pressure of a looming security breach. Meanwhile, two sisters grapple with their identities in a corrupted society, navigating the emotional terrain of their relationship. Art becomes a beacon amidst ethical dilemmas, making this narrative a rich tapestry of imagination and complex human connections.
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From Childhood Dragons To Synthetic Monsters
- Claire Jia-Wen recalls drawing dragons as a child and now designs giant synthetic
Abstraction Hides Complexity For Users
- Abstraction is framed as removing unnecessary detail to empower users and hide complexity.
- Claire uses abstraction to separate design from implementation in mecha and entertainment systems.
First Meeting With Valentine Golding
- Claire recounts meeting Valentine Golding at a campaign wrap party and being overwhelmed by attraction.
- That encounter shaped her desire to please Valentine and influenced her design choices.