Growing up in the Vietnamese Catholic church, I’ve always been fascinated by its unique customs and how it differs from other forms of Catholicism. This booklet is an artistic exploration of the church and my personal experiences. It takes on a playful and curious tone. The challenge was to translate my observations and cultural fascination into a creative publication that shares these distinctive traditions in an authentic, lighthearted way.

In addition to the articles included in the book, I drew from my own memories and observations of growing up in the Vietnamese Catholic culture. I also included information about and materials from my local Vietnamese church. My process was to create a visual narrative from these things to help readers understand the backdrop of my experiences. During this project, I stepped into several different roles: illustration, typesetting, page layout, photo editing, photography, art direction, and copywriting.

This handcrafted, 96-page booklet takes a contemporary, curious approach to serious cultural topics, making the material approachable for diverse audiences. The sections vary by grid system, color palette, typographic choices, and paper material to reflect different aspects of the culture. These elements were used to strategically distinguish between historical context, personal narrative, and cultural practices. 

This booklet is a personal artifact that captures my unique relationship with the Vietnamese Catholic church. The playful, artistic approach successfully transforms personal experiences into a shareable cultural exploration that feels authentic rather than academic. Through this project, I was able to offer a fresh perspective on a culture, making it accessible to audiences unfamiliar with its roots.

Roles
Art Direction
Photography
Page Layout
Photo Manipulation
Copywriting
Illustration
Book Binding