books
from digital to handmade!
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From birth, I've lived as a divided self—half my mother, half my father; half-Filipino, half-American. This dual heritage fuels a constant quest for belonging, an unending exhaustion defending my place in both Asia and America, wrestling with perpetual displacement. The middle ground I navigate offers no respite, leaving me yearning for a home. In the Philippines, I encountered physical rejection; in America, I experienced intellectual estrangement. Blaming my visible attributes for the cultural clash I faced, I sought refuge in art and discovered an identity as well as a voice. Despite a tumultuous relationship with self, as an artist and designer, I embrace the journey. My thesis unfolds as an ode to years of "unbelonging," evolving through years of eventual understanding and finally, to a loving acceptance of the person that I am. Through fragmented portraits, sweeping landscapes, and poignant still lifes, I've crafted a self-portrait in book form. This visual narrative traces the arc from the confusion of "unbelonging" to the peaceful acceptance of me, smiles, scars and all. I invite you to leaf through the pages of my thesis, and join me on this transformative journey. Through the lens of my experiences, you may gain a new perspective on the intricate tapestry of human identity, much like my own—a mosaic of cultural threads woven into a unique and resilient individual.
a ghost photography photo-exhibit book in the form of an accordion book that is able to pop up into a miniature exhibit.
a book containing all the maps and tickets i collected from my many visits at the MET.
a classical tale that impacted me since i was required to read it during high school in manila. excitedly applying my newfound skills in woodcut printmaking, i made a refreshed version of the original book’s cover of dr. jose rizals "forget me not." combining traditional tools with the computer programs of today, i joined the present with the past with the cover design of the book.
an archive book of the Filipino culture. japanese stab binding.
a collection of tickets of places i have been to.
is a book created from a Wikipedia page about the dying Chavacano dialect—a mixture of Spanish and Tagalog—translated into a book. this dialect was spoken by my lola (grandmother) who comes from Zamboanga city in Mindanao, located in the south of the Philippines. this was created in order to present the language in a more fun & interesting way, yet still resembling a textbook’s essential informative design.
self portrait book - experiements!
a children’s story book about my childhood cat named mocha. illustrated and written by me. produced by dert books.
the filipino legend made into a children's book.
a simpler book design exploring the science of handwriting analysis and how it can identify psychological profiles of people.