Unfortunately from There?
For my final dissertation project in the B.Des Information Design program at Srishti Institute (Bangalore), I created a picture book exploring the complexities of growing up with a multicultural background. The story follows Meenu, a child navigating her daily life while grappling with the challenges of a third-culture upbringing.
Children's Book
Age Group: 6 - 9 Yrs
9 x 9”, Wax Crayons
Through extensive research on third-culture childhood experiences, combined with my own personal insights, I aimed to examine what it means for a child to constantly negotiate their identity—especially while striving for peer acceptance.
Meenu often second-guesses herself, as simple interactions become complex due to her dual cultural realities—a “here” culture and a “there” culture. She must constantly assess which aspect of her dual identity to express in different moments.
To depict this struggle with culture, I used analog 3D artwork, allowing readers to interact with the story by choosing the cultural perspective they wish to engage with at any given moment. Depending on the colour they select, the narrative shifts, changing both the storyline and Meenu’s emotional arc. This interactive approach invites young readers to experiment with the book, making the experience more immersive and personal.
For Meenu’s character design, I wanted to incorporate a visually warped effect to emphasize her internal conflict. This distortion not only adds intrigue but also encourages the reader to uncover Meenu’s complexities. By using a pair of analog 3D glasses, readers can perceive the different emotional reactions Meenu experiences in daily interactions.
The color scheme represents the contrast between two cultures: red symbolizes the “here” culture, while blue represents the “there” culture.
