Afterwords

Book illustration and textbook development for learners of Chinese as a foreign language are both dynamic and exciting fields, each with its own depth and innovation. From the physical exhibition to the digital one, our goal has remained the same: to showcase a successful example of how a brilliant artist like Zhang Ming-ming seamlessly bridges these two fields, benefiting both illustration enthusiasts and Chinese language learners alike.

I will never forget the light in students’ eyes as they were amused by the caricatures in the illustrations during class. Nor will I forget the inspiration they found in the original drawings—the delicate traces of the painter’s sketches, the layered brushstrokes, the textures of colour. Their reactions affirmed for me the power of multi-modal input in the learning process, reinforcing the idea that visual storytelling can enhance language acquisition in profound ways.

Today, textbook development cautiously embraces AI-generated illustrations—fast, cost-efficient, and increasingly sophisticated. However, the feedback from our learners and visitors reminds me why traditional illustration, with its human touch, will endure. Its value lies not despite but because of its imperfections—its unpolished edges, its deliberate pace, and the traces of the artist’s hand in every stroke. Each decision and revision are embedded on a tangible piece of paper, carrying the essence of creation itself. For me, it is this intimate presence of the human hand that makes traditional illustration both irresistible and irreplaceable.

Yanfei Li
Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream
Coordinator of the Chinese Language Program
Department of East Asian Studies, University of Toronto