Yingyi Chen

Design - Graphic & Interaction Design

Beyond One Happy Island

Beyond One Happy Island” is a series of souvenirs exploring how tourism shapes the perception of Aruba. Growing up as a Chinese-Aruban, graphic designer Yingyi Chen noticed a gap between the island’s lived culture and its commercial representation, particularly in souvenir shops. She responds to this limited authentic representation through plush and merchandise design.

The project consists of plush keychains paired with collectible stickers that share stories, memories, and cultural insights, ranging from joyful moments to overlooked aspects of the island. An additional sticker booklet invites audiences to engage with Aruba through playful, interactive, and personal narratives. By combining tactility, storytelling, and collectible design, the project encourages a richer and more nuanced understanding of Aruba beyond the familiar “One Happy Island” image.

“Beyond One Happy Island” represents Yingyi’s personal interpretation of Aruba. It is not intended to reflect every perspective on the island, but highlights stories that are often overlooked in commercialized spaces.

The project consists of plush keychains paired with collectible stickers that share stories, memories, and cultural insights, ranging from joyful moments to overlooked aspects of the island. An additional sticker booklet invites audiences to engage with Aruba through playful, interactive, and personal narratives. By combining tactility, storytelling, and collectible design, the project encourages a richer and more nuanced understanding of Aruba beyond the familiar “One Happy Island” image.

“Beyond One Happy Island” represents Yingyi’s personal interpretation of Aruba. It is not intended to reflect every perspective on the island, but highlights stories that are often overlooked in commercialized spaces.

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