Red envelopes or red pockets, are monetary gifts that are given during holidays or special occasions such as weddings, graduations, or the birth of a baby in East Asian culture, not only in China, but Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Japan, Korea, etc. It was 2012, the year of the dragon. I was excited to create the red pocket with a dragon illustration, which I have to chance to show off my illustration skill in the design work.

Below: What red pockets usually look like in the markets.

Below: One of my red pockets work in the past. This is from the previous year (2011). I used the traditional cherry blossom pattern combined with the blessing word to create a simple generic red pocket (they can be in colours, but usually gold or red).

Below: Research.

As it was the year of Dragon, I wanted to create something a little specific refering to the year creature.
There are different expression and postures of dragons, I also looked into the ornament and dragon robe illustrations.

Below: Idea of colours. Red pockets are usually red with a gold foiled graphic, but it can also be the other way round or with colours. I picked a dim colour paper but red foiled the graphic, with a shiny red texture print.

Below: I then started to draft it, and finally I used one of the references and recreated the shape, screen in computer, outline in illustrator.

Below: Here the final printed envelopes.

Below: Close up. It was also applied to a Lunar new year card and ecard with red shiny finishing.