Not Your Token Asian

Inspiration and research

Following the memorial service for my great grandma, my family gathered to look through some family archives to reminiscent over her life. I was curious about some of the details about her childhood in Hong Kong, as well as my grandmother and mother's life in America. All I had known prior, was that my grandmother traveled to the United States by boat...

Transcribed interview with my grandmother. Through in-depth conversations and interviews, I was able to learn more about my detailed history and ethnic heritage. The transcribed interviews served as a basis for my thesis research and inspiration. I wanted to capture these stories by creating a narrative about immigration and assimilation in America.

Deliverables

Not Your Token Asian is an illustrated novel that highlights my family's struggles with adapting to life in America, as there were many cultural and language barriers. It also includes my story as the fourth generation and my experiences I have encountered as a result of negative stereotypes and misconceptions about my ethnic identity.

Cover design for my thesis project. Split into three sections: think, speak and act, it consists of conversations between friends and family as a result of negative stereotypes and misconceptions about their ethnic identities.

Altogether this personal commentary incorporates humor and personal observations to bring attention to the issues Asian Americans may face in socializing and self-identity.

Marketing materials for my campaign. I created a series of posters, plus badges for final deliverables. Original photography and illustrations.

‍

My project aims to humanize the immigrant journey and addresses the important issues of tradition, duty, assimilation and acceptance. My thesis tackles many personal Asian-American experiences I wanted to address: A lack of dialogue between our family and a need for learning and understanding about my Asian-American culture.

View the full project here.