The Figure Portrait series, initially designed for exhibition purposes, showcases a variety of portraits. It weaves faces from various eras and personas together, fostering a deeper understanding of life and time. With an undercurrent of joy and empathy, it highlights human resilience. This illustration series moves beyond individual narratives to capture a shared experience, making it a thoughtful contribution to this year's publication.

Guo Mengyao is an award-winning artist, illustrator, graphic designer, and researcher with fine art and visual communication background. She is an assistant professor at Shenzhen International School of Design, Harbin Institute of Technology, and a PhD candidate in Visual Communication at the University of Macau. Her works have been widely included in several worldwide exhibits after graduating as a postgraduate at the University of Arts London, including CITYA - City as a medium, Art Vancouver, Art Fair Tokyo, and Art on Paper in New York City. Her unique style mixes hair symbolism, black-and-white drawing techniques, and meticulously drawn flawless lines.

Mengyao GUO (b. 1990, Zhengzhou, China) is an award-winning artist, illustrator, graphic designer, and current Ph.D. candidate in Visual Communication at the University of Macau. Her works have been widely included in several worldwide exhibits, including CITYA - City as a medium, VISION CODE, Art Vancouver, ART: GWANGJU, Art Fair Tokyo, Art on Paper in New York City, and The 2nd CAFAM•Future Exhibition. Her works are also widely published in recognized international magazines and books, such as ARTBANK, IART, VISION, and Curatorial Volume.1.