A Series of Case Studies on the Digital Design of Dunhuang Patterns in Cultural and Creative Products with ComfyUI Workflow as the Technical Framework

Abstract

Dunhuang culture is a visual testament to the long-term integration and coexistence of various civilizations along the Silk Road. It is the only image representative in the traditional Chinese pattern system that combines religious significance, cross-ethnic cultural elements, and a high level of aesthetic maturity. The mural images and decorative patterns of Dunhuang are rich and varied, forming a complete aesthetic system over thousands of years, exhibiting significant temporal overlap. The Belt and Road Initiative and the advent of the digital media era have provided Dunhuang culture with broader translation space and opportunities for regeneration. Adopting a series of case study approach, this paper selects representative Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes mural patterns as the cultural element basis and employs the ComfyUI workflow as the technical framework to carry out digital extraction, style conversion, and platform migration. The paper explores the application of artificial intelligence-assisted design in the creation of traditional cultural derivatives, with the main purpose of building a one-stop production chain from ancient patterns to contemporary cultural and creative product renderings. Through multiple case demonstrations across different carriers, the study investigates the unique visual effects and artistic atmosphere presented by Dunhuang patterns on various product surfaces and usage scenarios, thereby validating the effectiveness and replicability of the proposed technical framework.