Where Is Home? - Brief

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Where Is Home? is a powerful visual storytelling zine that captures the emotional journey of immigration through the eyes of a young girl who dares to dream beyond borders. Inspired by my own experience as an immigrant mother and artist, this project is a love letter to all who have ever felt the ache of being in-between—between cultures, languages, and the places we call home. It invites readers into a deeply personal, yet universally human, narrative of loss, transformation, and courage.

This work was created to amplify the voices that often go unheard—to remind us that home is not just a place, but a feeling we carry and rebuild, piece by piece.

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Where Is Home? - Problems

Immigration is too often reduced to statistics or legal jargon, stripping away the human truth at its core. But behind every border crossed is a story of strength. The emotional dimension—especially for women and children—is rarely given the space it deserves. I wanted to create something that speaks to that hidden world: the sorrow of letting go, the strength of starting over, and the beauty of rediscovering oneself.

How do you illustrate what it feels like to lose your home and still move forward with hope? This question shaped the heart of the project.

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Where Is Home? - Solution

Using a hybrid creative process, I merged AI-generated visuals with hand-edited digital painting and collage techniques. This layered approach allowed me to translate complex emotions into visual metaphors—such as doors opening into the unknown, rain falling on cherished memories, or colorful currents symbolizing cultural resilience. Each page is a narrative chapter, written from the perspective of a “dreaming girl” on a journey of loss, transformation, and self-discovery.

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Where Is Home? -Design Elements

• Visual Style: A hybrid of AI-generated and hand-rendered elements symbolizing the fragmented yet resilient nature of identity
• Tools Used: Chat GPT , Leonardo AI, Adobe Firefly, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign
• Typography: Intentionally expressive—using handwritten text and personal scripts to create closeness and vulnerability
• Layout: Aesthetic of memory—worn textures, paper tape, rough edges, and stamped seals that evoke history and personal archives
• Color Palette:
  • Muted blues and greys for grief and introspection
  • Vivid reds, golds, and floral motifs to honor heritage and personal rebirth
• Symbolism:
  • Open doors for bold choices
  • Rain for sorrow and cleansing
  • Stairs and silhouettes for emotional ascent
  • Persian ornaments and traditional dress to root the story in culture and pride

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Outcome

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Where Is Home? was selected as a featured piece in the Applied Art & Design Zine Showcase and is now permanently housed in the Sierra College Library’s zine collection.

The project has touched viewers with its honesty, cultural richness, and visual storytelling. It represents not only a personal milestone in my creative journey, but also a step toward reclaiming immigrant narratives with dignity, artistry, and heart.

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