Sparks Magazine
Sparks Magazine
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I wrote and designed articles for Sparks Magazine, a student-run publication that provides a mixed-media platform for Asian, Pacific-Islander, and Desi-American (APIDA) students.
I wrote and designed articles for Sparks Magazine, a student-run publication that provides a mixed-media platform for Asian, Pacific-Islander, and Desi-American (APIDA) students.
Growing up half-Asian in schools that only ever had a maximum of four or five other Asian students at a time, I often felt like I did not have any peers to talk to about certain distinctively Asian issues or topics. I didn't refrain from discussing these topics with my peers due to any malicious reason, I simply felt as though these topics wouldn't be fully understood by someone who wasn't raised in a similar way as I was. Perhaps that was the truth, or simple ignorance, but I felt myself wanting for an outlet to express the thoughts and feelings that I had that I felt would be best received by other members of the APIDA community or people interested in learning more about this community and its cultures.
Growing up half-Asian in schools that only ever had a maximum of four or five other Asian students at a time, I often felt like I did not have any peers to talk to about certain distinctively Asian issues or topics. I didn't refrain from discussing these topics with my peers due to any malicious reason, I simply felt as though these topics wouldn't be fully understood by someone who wasn't raised in a similar way as I was. Perhaps that was the truth, or simple ignorance, but I felt myself wanting for an outlet to express the thoughts and feelings that I had that I felt would be best received by other members of the APIDA community or people interested in learning more about this community and its cultures.
In my freshman year of college, I discovered Sparks Magazine, which was a nonprofit, student-run organization that was just the outlet I had been searching for. Aside from simply making many extremely talented friends, I joined a community of other APIDA creatives that allowed me to delve deeper into my own Asian identity and understand the impact that that has had on my life and creative path.
In my freshman year of college, I discovered Sparks Magazine, which was a nonprofit, student-run organization that was just the outlet I had been searching for. Aside from simply making many extremely talented friends, I joined a community of other APIDA creatives that allowed me to delve deeper into my own Asian identity and understand the impact that that has had on my life and creative path.
In my time with Sparks so far, I have designed three article spreads. I designed the spread that is to the left for the article "The Sex Taboo", as well as for the article "Spoiler Alert: There's No Mushu", and for the article "Horror and the Social Scene." Prior to joining Sparks, I had no experience using Adobe InDesign or designing article spreads in general, but with their help I have developed the skills necessary to create magazine-grade article spreads. These skills have also been useful for non-spread designs as well, and have helped me learn to become more creative in my work.
In my time with Sparks so far, I have designed three article spreads. I designed the spread that is to the left for the article "The Sex Taboo", as well as for the article "Spoiler Alert: There's No Mushu", and for the article "Horror and the Social Scene." Prior to joining Sparks, I had no experience using Adobe InDesign or designing article spreads in general, but with their help I have developed the skills necessary to create magazine-grade article spreads. These skills have also been useful for non-spread designs as well, and have helped me learn to become more creative in my work.
Aside from designing spreads, I have written an article for Sparks as well. I wrote an article entitled "Spilling the Tea on Tea," which is an informative, lighthearted piece that delves into the history of tea, its importance to Asian cultures, and how it has impacted the West. This was the first article I wrote for Sparks, and I gained a lot of experience in writing for publication.
Aside from designing spreads, I have written an article for Sparks as well. I wrote an article entitled "Spilling the Tea on Tea," which is an informative, lighthearted piece that delves into the history of tea, its importance to Asian cultures, and how it has impacted the West. This was the first article I wrote for Sparks, and I gained a lot of experience in writing for publication.
Some of the most educational experiences I have had with Sparks, aside from developing my writing and desgining skills, has definitely come from the workshops the organization hosts. Workshops are student-led and sometimes include guest speakers, such as author Dorothy Chan who led a workshop on Asian womanhood and fetishization. These workshops have not only allowed me to learn more skills, such as through the student-led zine workshop, but also more about the Asian American experience and activism.
Some of the most educational experiences I have had with Sparks, aside from developing my writing and desgining skills, has definitely come from the workshops the organization hosts. Workshops are student-led and sometimes include guest speakers, such as author Dorothy Chan who led a workshop on Asian womanhood and fetishization. These workshops have not only allowed me to learn more skills, such as through the student-led zine workshop, but also more about the Asian American experience and activism.
Working with Sparks has allowed me to truly experience what a collaborative creative environment feels like. Working closely together with designers and writers to create polished finished products that truly convey the intended message in artistic ways has been an enormously rewarding experience.
Working with Sparks has allowed me to truly experience what a collaborative creative environment feels like. Working closely together with designers and writers to create polished finished products that truly convey the intended message in artistic ways has been an enormously rewarding experience.
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