Another Plate For Me
Overview
Role: Graphic Designer, Visual Designer, Product Designer, Copywriter
Tools Used: Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator
Another Plate For Me is a personal and cultural design project created to honor my Vietnamese heritage through the art of cooking. Inspired by the resilience and traditions of my immigrant grandparents, this cookbook invites readers into the warmth of a Vietnamese kitchen—one that blends heritage, identity, and memory.
Rooted in storytelling and design, the project introduces a symbolic red thread motif—representing the generational bond that ties family, culture, and tradition together. With carefully designed visuals and thoughtful writing, the cookbook becomes more than just a collection of recipes; it's a celebration of legacy, home cooking, and community pride.
Project Goals
The heart of this project lies in cultural connection. I wanted to encourage others—especially those unfamiliar with Vietnamese cuisine—to explore and cook dishes that go far beyond what’s commonly found in restaurants. With this cookbook, I aimed to show that authentic Vietnamese food isn’t confined to “Pho” or takeout menus.
It was also important to me that the visuals reflect both the strength and softness of my family story. Through typography, layout, and illustration, I created a tone that felt intimate, welcoming, and representative of my Vietnamese-American identity.
Design Approach
The book design uses a mix of modern layouts and traditional elements, paying homage to generational cooking while appealing to a contemporary audience. Hand-drawn illustrations and graphic motifs draw inspiration from family heirlooms, handwritten notes, and shared meals.
The red thread motif weaves through the pages—both literally and figuratively—acting as a subtle but consistent reminder of the stories behind the food. Every design decision, from color palette to font choice, was made with purpose: to make readers feel at home, no matter where they’re from.
Brainstorming & Ideation
The idea for Another Plate for Me began with a simple but powerful intention: to honor my Vietnamese heritage through the universal language of food. As I reflected on my family's journey—especially my grandparents’ experience immigrating to Arizona in the 1970s—I was struck by how many stories and recipes had been passed down through memory rather than written tradition. This project became an opportunity to preserve that oral history through design.
✧ Cultural Spark
Vietnamese cuisine is often misunderstood or reduced to just “Pho” in the American culinary landscape. I wanted to create something that would challenge that narrative by introducing readers to lesser-known, home-cooked dishes—many of which aren't even found in restaurants. My goal was to share the variety, vibrancy, and healthfulness of Vietnamese cooking, and to show that food can be both a personal and cultural archive.
✧ Visual Symbolism
Early in the ideation phase, I was drawn to the symbolism of the red thread, a concept that appears in various Asian cultures as a metaphor for fate, family ties, and generational connection. I integrated this theme throughout the design as a visual and emotional anchor, using it to guide the reader through the narrative of the cookbook—page by page, dish by dish.
✧ Evolving the Scope
Originally, I considered incorporating a video series to accompany the cookbook, inspired by creators like The Korean Vegan. However, after evaluating the time and scope of production, I shifted my focus toward creating meaningful print-based experiences. This pivot allowed me to go deeper into the design elements and explore branding beyond the book itself—through interactive collateral like bookmarks, thank you cards, and seasoning packets.
Interactive Design Thinking
Interactivity became a key goal during this phase. I brainstormed ways to invite the reader into the story—not just through recipes, but through tactile, memorable moments. Ideas like utensil-shaped bookmarks and sticker sheets (“Build Your Own Plate”) emerged as ways to make the project more playful and immersive, while still grounded in cultural authenticity.
Visual Inspiration
A big part of my ideation process involved moodboarding and sketching. I drew visual inspiration from Vietnamese textiles, family heirlooms, local markets, and even jade jewelry worn by my grandmother. I explored how to modernize traditional visuals through color palettes, illustration styles, and type treatments—always asking: How can design tell a story without words?
Cultural Impact
Growing up in Arizona, I saw firsthand the lack of representation of Vietnamese cuisine in the local culinary scene. Many of the recipes I grew up eating weren’t found in restaurants—they lived in our kitchens, passed from one generation to the next, often without measurements or written instructions.
Another Plate For Me is a response to that absence. It’s a design-led effort to preserve and amplify these personal recipes and stories, giving them the spotlight they deserve. It is both an act of cultural preservation and an open invitation for others to connect through food.
✦ Marketing & Brand Collateral
As part of the Another Plate for Me project, I wanted to go beyond the traditional cookbook experience and create physical, interactive pieces that would build a deeper connection between the reader and the culture behind each recipe. These branded collateral items were designed to extend the story of the cookbook—turning each page, gift, or detail into a meaningful moment.
🍽 Thank You Cards
To add a personal touch, I designed a set of thank you cards featuring traditional Vietnamese motifs and patterns. Each card includes a heartfelt message inspired by the values of hospitality and gratitude often expressed at the Vietnamese dining table. These cards were intended to accompany cookbook purchases or gifts, serving as a reminder that food is an act of love and sharing.
🧂 Seasoning Packet Design
As an homage to the pantry staples in Vietnamese kitchens, I developed custom seasoning packet mockups that reflect the bold yet minimal branding of the cookbook. The design uses organic shapes and warm tones while incorporating Vietnamese ingredients like star anise, cinnamon, and lemongrass. These packets were conceptualized as part of a product line extension—meant to bring familiar flavors into modern homes in a beautifully designed package.
📚 Utensil-Shaped Bookmarks
To encourage engagement and usability, I created bookmarks shaped like traditional cooking utensils—chopsticks, ladles, and rice scoops. These fun, tactile pieces serve as placeholders for readers navigating the cookbook, while also reinforcing the interactive nature of the project. Each bookmark includes subtle iconography that ties back to the book’s overall visual identity.
Conclusion
Another Plate For Me is more than a cookbook—it's a visual tribute to my roots and the legacy of my grandparents. This project allowed me to use design as a medium for storytelling, bringing voice to a community often underrepresented in mainstream culinary culture.
Through this work, I’ve come to appreciate how design can nurture identity and create bridges between people, places, and generations. I’m proud of how this project reflects who I am—not just as a designer, but as a Vietnamese-American sharing my plate with the world.