Discovering the Self Book / Publication / Landmark Writing

Discovering the Self is a zine by Tāmaki Makaurau-based, AUT Master of Design graduate, John Tan. The zine is an intimate and personal account of Tan's life in Aotearoa and the Philippines as told through photos, collage and hand-written notes.

Discovering the Self was created as part of a series of experiments for Tan's Design Practice class during his Master’s, which explored how design might support creative practitioners’ self-expression outside of commercially-oriented models. Reflecting on the creation process, Tan shared:

I explored my identity through my experiences from the past, located in the Philippines and my more recent experiences in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Looking through the captured moments, I saw many similarities between the two environments. It is not that the two countries look and feel the same; instead, the similarities I saw were framed and captured by my photography. I capture what I want and love, my tendencies: Silhouettes, nature, architecture, and specific colours and patterns.

Within the zine's flipped pages, pull-out images and intricate collages tell the story of a migrant finding his footing in his adopted country. There is a longing for what was left behind, mixed in with the excitement of new discoveries – an experience both personal and universal in its storytelling of people in diaspora. Discovering the Self was a finalist for Student and Academic Graphics at the 2023 Best Design Awards.

John Tan - website

John Tan - Instagram

Best Design Awards – Discovering the Self