Katelyn Tran 2025

Abstract

QUỲNH is a 3D-printed blind-box toy series that explores my experiences as a second-generation Vietnamese American person. The series includes 7 unique figures, each resembling various foods that I ate growing up. Each figure has its own unique story and visuals relating back to my experience culturally, as a designer/illustrator, and as a collector. They are also paired with a collectable card that has an illustration and short description of the figures’ connection to my experience. This project overall is a representation of my combined skills, wide exploration and thoughtful production process.

I was inspired to create this project as a way to reconnect with my Vietnamese identity and navigate my struggles with belonging. Throughout the whole process, I would ask myself the same question: “Who am I?” I wanted to create a body of work that other second-generation Vietnamese Americans who are struggling with their cultural identity can see themselves in, as well as encourage them to reflect on their own experiences and share them with others. This is reflected in the ambiguous names for each figure, allowing each person to connect their own reason to the figures.

This blind-box series not only allowed me to explore my experiences as a second-generation Vietnamese-American, it also allowed me to form new relationships, strengthen existing ones, and become a little bit more comfortable with just being myself.