This two-part editorial magazine explores how the pursuit of the American Dream can lead to assimilation and cultural shifts across generations. The first half follows my grandmother’s upbringing and her father’s journey to the United States, exploring how assimilation caused much of our ethnic heritage to fade over time. The second half reflects on my experience rediscovering and embracing a culture I grew up disconnected from through my upbringing and travels to Portugal. Together, the two sides create a conversation between generations, One shaped by assimilation and the other by the desire to reclaim what was lost.
SKETCHES
Originality was a major goal of this project. While traveling in Portugal, I used my professional camera to capture the places, people, textures, and details that shaped my experience, creating visuals that felt personal and authentic rather than relying on stock imagery.
Every element of the magazine is my own, including the writing, illustrations, hand-drawn stamps, collectibles, tiles, photographs, and family archives. By combining these personal materials with my family’s history, I created a physical collection of memories that connects the past to the present through my perspective.
