We Are Asian American — Collector's Edition
Excerpt from the foreword
So here I am, on a sunny day in Los Angeles, about to start a new zine for AAPI month. Armed with an iced latte and a cookie, I pull up a list of people I have read up on over the years.
In my head this is a modest project. Maybe a collection of ten quickly summarized biographies, some cool typography, a few illustrations. ‘Don’t get sucked into this,’ I think to myself, as I shoot off a few emails to foundations and living relatives.
People write back. I am suddenly sweating bullets as I realize the implication of writing about these historic and very real people.
I work feverishly, combing through archives and articles. ‘You’re not a historian, you’re a designer,’ I remind myself.
But the stories I am reading are riveting. I have to lay down sometimes when it gets too sad. Then I get up and think about how to tell their stories. I am inspired, hopeful. I want to fill this tiny zine with all of it, and my fingers are flying across the keyboard.
In this edition, I highlight six stories. I would like to note, Asian American is a broad umbrella term that covers many people. The stories in this zine are connected to me in some way, at the intersection of Los Angeles, Korea, Japan, Hawai’i, design, flowers, and activism.
I hope you are touched by their stories. I hope they are celebrated, and we are inspired.
— Steph Song Ogura
Description
This zine retells the stories of six Asian Americans. Despite the difference in their fields and cultural backgrounds, their experiences as Asian Americans serve as a common thread. This collection weaves together short stories, graphics, and photos to create a glimpse into the complex tapestry of our shared identity.
Printed on durable photo book-quality paper, for those looking for a longer lasting version of our newsprint copies.
Written, illustrated, and designed by Steph Song Ogura.
Product Specifications
Softcover
30 pages
20cm x 20cm / 8 x 8”
Excerpt from the foreword
So here I am, on a sunny day in Los Angeles, about to start a new zine for AAPI month. Armed with an iced latte and a cookie, I pull up a list of people I have read up on over the years.
In my head this is a modest project. Maybe a collection of ten quickly summarized biographies, some cool typography, a few illustrations. ‘Don’t get sucked into this,’ I think to myself, as I shoot off a few emails to foundations and living relatives.
People write back. I am suddenly sweating bullets as I realize the implication of writing about these historic and very real people.
I work feverishly, combing through archives and articles. ‘You’re not a historian, you’re a designer,’ I remind myself.
But the stories I am reading are riveting. I have to lay down sometimes when it gets too sad. Then I get up and think about how to tell their stories. I am inspired, hopeful. I want to fill this tiny zine with all of it, and my fingers are flying across the keyboard.
In this edition, I highlight six stories. I would like to note, Asian American is a broad umbrella term that covers many people. The stories in this zine are connected to me in some way, at the intersection of Los Angeles, Korea, Japan, Hawai’i, design, flowers, and activism.
I hope you are touched by their stories. I hope they are celebrated, and we are inspired.
— Steph Song Ogura
Description
This zine retells the stories of six Asian Americans. Despite the difference in their fields and cultural backgrounds, their experiences as Asian Americans serve as a common thread. This collection weaves together short stories, graphics, and photos to create a glimpse into the complex tapestry of our shared identity.
Printed on durable photo book-quality paper, for those looking for a longer lasting version of our newsprint copies.
Written, illustrated, and designed by Steph Song Ogura.
Product Specifications
Softcover
30 pages
20cm x 20cm / 8 x 8”
Excerpt from the foreword
So here I am, on a sunny day in Los Angeles, about to start a new zine for AAPI month. Armed with an iced latte and a cookie, I pull up a list of people I have read up on over the years.
In my head this is a modest project. Maybe a collection of ten quickly summarized biographies, some cool typography, a few illustrations. ‘Don’t get sucked into this,’ I think to myself, as I shoot off a few emails to foundations and living relatives.
People write back. I am suddenly sweating bullets as I realize the implication of writing about these historic and very real people.
I work feverishly, combing through archives and articles. ‘You’re not a historian, you’re a designer,’ I remind myself.
But the stories I am reading are riveting. I have to lay down sometimes when it gets too sad. Then I get up and think about how to tell their stories. I am inspired, hopeful. I want to fill this tiny zine with all of it, and my fingers are flying across the keyboard.
In this edition, I highlight six stories. I would like to note, Asian American is a broad umbrella term that covers many people. The stories in this zine are connected to me in some way, at the intersection of Los Angeles, Korea, Japan, Hawai’i, design, flowers, and activism.
I hope you are touched by their stories. I hope they are celebrated, and we are inspired.
— Steph Song Ogura
Description
This zine retells the stories of six Asian Americans. Despite the difference in their fields and cultural backgrounds, their experiences as Asian Americans serve as a common thread. This collection weaves together short stories, graphics, and photos to create a glimpse into the complex tapestry of our shared identity.
Printed on durable photo book-quality paper, for those looking for a longer lasting version of our newsprint copies.
Written, illustrated, and designed by Steph Song Ogura.
Product Specifications
Softcover
30 pages
20cm x 20cm / 8 x 8”