In the fall of 2024, Dr. Hongmei Li, a Media and Communications professor at Miami University, hired me to design a professional logo for her research project, Documenting Asian American Histories in Ohio (DAAHO). DAAHO’s mission is to collect, preserve, study, and promote the voices and contributions of Asian Americans and diasporic Asians in Ohio, making visible what has historically been overlooked. Through collaboration with local communities, educators, curators, and scholars, the project seeks to integrate minority experiences into the broader historical narrative.

Dr. Li and her colleagues required that the logo embody empowerment and inclusivity, incorporating prevalent colors found across diverse Asian cultures. The design needed to strike a balance between modernity and scholarship, symbolizing unity and strength while clearly reflecting the project’s mission. Additionally, the logo had to include both the acronym DAAHO and the project’s full title to ensure clarity and recognition. Over the course of three weeks, I met with Dr. Li three times to discuss iterations and refine the design, ensuring it met both aesthetic and conceptual goals. The final logo established a cohesive and professional identity that supports DAAHO’s efforts to document and elevate Asian American histories in the region.