01 → Senior Capstone — Talisman of Memory
The primary goal of the project was to explore the lens of collaboration and to explore how objects act as vessels of
memory. Through engagment with others, I uncovered personal narratives and translated them into meaningful design
that celebrates the legacy of individuals through shared experiences. The information guides the visual representation
of loss, offering insight into the personal connections people have with objects that hold sentimental value.
Role: Graphic Design Exit Show Participant — University of Georgia
In this visual research project, I investigated how everyday objects become carriers of personal and collective memory. By creating installations centered on items once owned or cherished by my father, who passed away in September 2024, I aimed to give form to loss and remembrance. I began this work during my final semester of undergraduate studies, seeking a way to sit within and process my father’s memory. The project became both a means of personal healing and an exploration of how objects facilitate our ongoing relationships with those who are no longer with us.
The final exhibition featured several components: a progress book documenting my research and design rationale, an exhibition poster, a large-format display showcasing personal belongings from my father, two conceptual examples illustrating how this framework could be applied to others, and a companion book designed for recording memories tied to each object. This project stemmed from the personal fear of the gradual fading of memories of my father over time. I wanted to create something tangible, something that could hold those memories in place and make them easily accessible. The companion book invites others to sit with the memory of a loved one, to write about them, and to feel their presence despite their absence. As a tribute to my father’s craftsmanship, I hand-bound both the companion guides and the progess book myself, as he was a carpenter who loved building things from scratch.
This project offered a profound way to inhabit my grief, allowing me to translate intangible memories into tangible form. It deepened my understanding of how material culture shapes our processes of mourning and remembrance, and it sharpened my skills in visual storytelling, curation, and empathetic research. Through this work, I aim to remind viewers that even the smallest, most mundane item can hold the essence of life and that by honoring these objects, we keep our loved ones present in our daily experience.
Link to Full Book (excludes physical inserts): https://online.fliphtml5.com/zimpc/ozim/#p=1