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As a result of historical exclusions, discrimination, and failed assimilation, Asian Americans and other non-majority ethnic groups face cultural losses as they attempt to blend into the dominant culture. These losses are important to reflect on to maintain and to strengthen self-esteem and identity. The group would benefit from new modes of reflection that give them control over how they would like to connect and identify with their own culture.
I designed cultural probe activity booklets to volunteering Asian American individuals, exploring how and what lost cultural loved objects manifest among Asian Americans. I performed a thematic analysis on the probe data and sketched several concept ideas. Physical prototype is ongoing.
A five day cultural probe activity booklet consisting of emotion-cultural loved object mapping adapted from Karana's toolkit, personal responses, narrative building, illustrative identity map, exploration of five senses, and clay sculpting. A thematic analysis of the probe data revealed many themes and interactions relating to individual perspectives on Asian American losses. Results were used iterate on potential concept ideas.
Five Asian American individuals were given the opportunity to reflect on their Asian American losses through a cultural probe over Summer 2024. The probe data was used to iterate on potential concept ideas. Final concept idea is an interactive turntable interface that facilitates cultural reflection and conversation in a food setting. The aim for the is to build a stronger sense of Asian American community among diners. Physical prototype fabrication is in progress 2025.
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