These Asian American Creators Want Visibility, and We Want to Be Seen for Who We Are

We commissioned powerful illustrations, words, a video diary and a self-portrait from a multitalented media buyer turned artist, a memorable copywriter, a personal brand influencer and a portrait photographer, respectively, to put together what it feels like to be AAPI in 2021. Even our header image is from our Adweek intern, who happens to be a fellow Asian American woman. Speaking for myself, my, it feels good to be seen, and to be in good company. —Ko Im

The movies

In my experience as a studio marketer, we frequently discussed audiences, audiences and more audiences. When we got to the topic of moviegoers and what they look like, Asian Americans rarely came to mind as a strategy. After years and years of being ignored and stereotyped, we are finally part of the conversation from the film’s story to its marketing. Asian American artists have powerfully redefined what it means to go to the movies for an entire population of people. I hope this design reminds readers how the industry will only grow with more people like us creating and enjoying the movies. Pictured (from left to right): Steven Yeun, Alan Kim, Chloe Zhao, Youn Yuh-Jung and Kelly Marie Tran —Mandy Pham

Creating a legacy of victory

It took me four years to be able to look across the room and see someone who looked like me. The career paths where we see Asian American visibility and representation are often outside of the marketing and creative world. As a young student, I didn’t see the creative field as an option. And for first-generation Asian Americans, many of our parents found themselves in traditional careers with predictable trajectories. So navigating the creative world without the guidance or POV of someone who not only understood what my goals were, but had cultural context was twice as difficult. I made a lot of mistakes. But as we continue to have hard conversations about diversity, my hope is that we can foster an environment where everyone wins and create an industry where bringing our full selves into the workplace is invaluable. —Anna Melissa

The only one in the room

What’s it like to be the solo Asian American to represent? Goldie Chan shares her inside thoughts.

Who I am versus who they think I am

I’m surrounded by my doppelgangers that reflect society’s perceptions of Asian American women: the nerd, the foreigner, the child, the good-time-girl, etc. —Shirley Yu

Creative team credits: 
Photographer: Shirley Yu 
Stylist: Ashly Tsao
Makeup Artist:  Kumiko Hirose at The Brooks Agency using MAC Cosmetics 
Hair Stylist: Aziza Rasulova
Photo Assistant: Michael Morales
Retoucher: Kwok Fai Ho

Clothing credits [for loaned items]:
Self: Jumpsuit – 3.1 Phillip Lim; Shoes – Prada
Foreigner: Vest – NOT by Jenny Lai; Top and skirt – 3.1 Phillip Lim; Hat – Stylist’s Own
Nerd: Pants – NOT by Jenny Lai; Sweater – Stylist’s own