Pho X Faux
Zachary Lennett
This project reflects my process of grappling with my complex identity as a Vietnamese transracial adoptee. Grounding my research in the history of Pho, a traditional Vietnamese noodle dish whose origins are inextricably linked to Western colonial influence in South Asia, I trace and find parallels between the dish’s evolution in the West, my own story, and the story of the Vietnamese people.
As a graphic designer, I find myself perpetually working at the intersection of visual and cultural identity. I look Asian but I was raised in a white family in Maine. As a result, I often don’t know where I fit in; I feel like I’m faking who I am and there is no “real me”. This was as true when I visited Vietnam as it is in the US. Similarly, there is no definitive Pho. The dish’s ingredients and flavors change depending on its context.
Through posters, data visualization, video, projection mapping, and augmented reality, this project uses a variety of media to create an immersive environment that navigates the complexities of race, ethnicity, food, and belonging. I aim to communicate my experience as an Asian American designer who is discovering how to design for myself while exploring this complex and personal topic.