Everyone belongs somewhere. As Asian Americans in graphic design, we have found a sense of belonging, community, and togetherness in our shared desire to become not only better artists, but better people. This visual diary is a collection of our shared experiences and stories as Asian American artists at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Our digital scrapbook illustrates abstract and literal depictions on how we found our community and what makes us feel like we belong.
Sam grew up in a first generation Chinese-American household while being surrounded by people who did not sound or look like him. Although the community around him did not share the same beliefs or eat the same food, Sam found his community through his art and desire to create. He found that art transcended any language or physical barrier. Collaborating with others regardless of their background or upbringing allowed him to create his own community where he found his sense of belonging. In addition to art and design, Sam found other hobbies like basketball, cooking, music, and rug making to build community. This collage is represents a collection of passions and hobbies that has helped Sam feel like he belongs at the Cal Poly campus as a graphic designer and human being.
For Katie, fully embracing her identity as second generation Chinese-American came from celebrating the communities that welcomed her in open arms. From a young age, expressing herself through art, fashion, or design has always been a tool for Katie to find belonging throughout different spaces. Sharing meals with friends and family has always been a way of connecting with her roots. Her journey with art created a home at Cal Poly once she began to pour into expressing her truest self. By connecting her passions with other creative people and places, Katie was able to find a warm sense of belonging. She hopes to convey that there is beauty and strength in celebrating Asian American voices and allowing them to take up space.
As a Korean-American who headed down a different career path than her relatives' cultural expectations of entering the medical field, Lyndsey became an artist. Rather than treating people physically, Lyndsey dreamed of being able to touch and heal the souls of people through art. Lyndsey found a sense of belonging through her pens, pencils, and paint strokes. Outside of design, she found other outlets — dance and music — to express her creative freedom. With these hobbies and interests, Lyndsey was able to connect with like-minded peers at Cal Poly, making the journey to become a successful and empathetic artist meaningful and worthwhile.
Despite coming from different backgrounds and attending a predominantly White institution, we’ve found a community where we can continue to enhance our skills as designers and explore our interests to expand our sense of belonging. We don’t need to speak the same language or adhere to societal assumptions about what we must pursue to be successful in America. Design allows us to speak our minds, create our communities, and embrace being different. Our passion for designing and connecting with others allowed us to find our sense of belonging, community, and togetherness.